"Wish it was under better circumstances." He gestures to the warehouse. "Come on. Let's get this done quick. Too exposed out here."
Inside, crates are stacked against the walls. Leo's men pry one open, revealing assault rifles packed in foam.
"Quality merchandise," he says. "Everything you asked for. Rifles, handguns, ammunition. Even grabbed some body armor."
"Appreciated." I inspect one of the rifles.
"Question is, what are you planning to do with all this firepower?" One of the other men asks.
It’s obvious what we’re planning, but I understand they want to hear it.
"Take down Roman." I set the rifle back in its crate. "Expose him to the rest of the bratva and the other families for what he did to me and my father. I will end his reign."
Rumors spread through the Russian underground faster than old women sitting around a knitting circle. Semyon made sure of that. It’s psychological warfare against Roman. He doesn’t know who he can trust. Yeah, he’s using brute force right now, but he knows it only takes one man to turn on him. Semyon already proved he can get access.
Everyone knows Roman orchestrated my kidnapping and imprisonment. They know he killed my father. While it’s not a total shock to have a pakhan taken out in a coup, it pisses people off. My father was loved and respected.
Roman will pay.
"You planning to take over? Claim your father's seat?"
The question hangs in the air. Everyone is watching me now, waiting for my answer.
And I don't have one.
A week ago, I would have said yes without hesitation. I wanted revenge. I wanted to destroy Roman and take back what he took from me.
But now there's Kira. There's our child. There's a future I need to protect. And I’m not sure I want to live a life full of violence. I don’t want my children to be forced to constantly look over their shoulders.
"That's not up to me," I say finally. "That's up to the families. I'm not here to seize power. I'm here to get revenge.”
"But if they offer it?" the young man presses. "If the families want you to lead?"
"Then I'll consider it." I meet his eyes. "But my priority is ending Roman. Everything else comes after."
Leo nods slowly. "Fair enough. Though I'll tell you now—people are ready for new leadership. Roman's methods are brutal even by our standards. The torture, the terror tactics. It's bad for business."
"I've seen the photos," I say quietly.
"Found another one this morning. Same pattern. Same message."
My jaw clenches. Four families. Four leaders tortured to death for the crime of not immediately submitting to Roman's rule.
"All the more reason to move fast," I say. "The meeting is in four days. We need to be ready."
"What's the plan?" another man asks.
"We crash the meeting. Present evidence of Roman's crimes. Force the families to choose sides." I look around at the assembled men. "It's risky. Probably stupid. But it's the only shot we have."
"You'll need backup," Leo says. "Security at those meetings is tight. You won't get in without a fight."
"That's what I'm counting on." I gesture to the weapons. "We come in strong. Make it clear we're not asking permission."
"That could start a war," the young man points out.
"We're already in a war," Semyon interjects. "Has been since Roman murdered Maksim's father and framed Kira's family. We're just finally fighting back."
Silence falls as everyone processes this.
