“So out of that lot, who do you think Campisi will eye as a successor?”
I lift a shoulder, even though he can’t see me through the phone.
“Vincenzo or Ezra, I would gather. Campisi doesn’t have a number three who would be in line, and I can’t imagine his eldest’s penchant for violence’d spook him.”
“Well, if they like violence, they might just get it. They’ve been setting up shop in Russia lately. Mostly just low-level stuff with black market thugs, nothing with the Bratva families.”
“And how do the families feel about that?” I ask.
“They sent a message,” Lars says. “Took a guy’s wife and shipped her back in a box of rubies.”
“Campisi will be looking for payback,” I say. “Do we know which family made the move?”
Lars is quiet for long enough that I have my answer. “Fuck.”
“And the easiest target,” he says, “Is Misha.”
I literally feel my blood go cold. “Why?”
“Because she’s my daughter. Because she’s your sister. Because she’s high profile.”
“That’s too big a leap,” I argue. “You whacked some low-level lackey’s wife, and they come straight for Misha? No.”
“Nik,” he says, “The Commission is coming to Chicago. This is Campisi’s domain, and he’s just had a body dropped into his lap. He cannot afford to look weak, not in front of the Bratva. He will go big.”
I sit with this for a moment before I respond. “I’ll put extra eyes on Misha, then.”
“Good, good.” Lars sighs. “They won’t strike during the meeting. All weapons are surrendered as a sign of good faith, a short-term cease-fire. But he could move before, to bring leverage into the room.”
“I’ll keep ears to the ground,” I say.
“I know you will,moy syn. I know you cherish her as I do.”
“More than anything.”
“Is everything else okay?” Lars asks.
“Under control.”
“Good. You know, Nik, you work hard. Too hard, sometimes. Misha tells me you have no women in your life.”
My mind goes to my private dancer, Ana.
“I am fine,” I say.
“Still,” he says, “I’m bringing a woman with me. Natalia. She’s a ballet dancer and the daughter of an associate I trust. You’ll like her.”
“No, no,” I say. “Respectfully. Match her with someone else.”
Lars sighs again. “Nikolai.”
“No,” I say again. “Misha is willing to do this, but I am not.”
“She’s beautiful, Nik. You two would make beautiful babies.”
“I told you, I’m never getting married. I don’t want children. This is not for me.”
He chuckles. “So stubborn. I’m bringing her anyway. You’ll change your mind when you see her.”
