I sit very still, my heart rate quickening. “You were in Moscow.”
“That’s right. Moscow’s a nice city, actually. Ever been? But no, I know you haven’t. My friend was there, and we had a long, fruitful discussion, and in the end, we came to an agreement.”
“Gabe, what did you do?”
He finishes his glass of vodka and looks over his shoulder. He waves slightly, and I follow his gaze.
A man stands. He was sitting alone at a table behind a newspaper when we came in. I noticed the paper but quickly forgot him. Now I can’t look anywhere else.
He’s bald and older. I’d guess in his fifties. He’s got the hard look of a man used to deep winters and brutality. Instantly, when he walks toward us, the guards are at my side.
I have to force them to stand down before they make a scene.
“Do you know who that is, ma’am?” The lead guard looks shaken. One hand is at his hip, inches from his weapon.
“His name is Vadim Kiselyov,” Gabe says, sounding more annoyed than anything else. “And he was Medved’s most powerful brigadier.”
A chill runs through me. Vadim’s lips curl into something like a smile. He keeps his distance until Gabe impatiently waves him closer.
“Why is he here?” I ask in an intense whisper.
“It’s simple really. I need access to a powerful network in order to compete for the Dragon position, and Vadim has a bunch of bored and underpaid thugs to keep happy. We decided it would be best for everyone if I took control of what’s left of Medved’s operation, killed all the men vying for the Dragon role, and took it for myself.”
My mouth falls open. I can barely believe what I’m hearing. The absurdity feels like a knife in my gut. How could Gabe be this stupid? How could he think a man like Vadim would ever go along with him, much less remain subservient?
“Please, Gabe, we should talk about this. Tell Mass what you’re doing?—”
“Sorry, but it’s already decided. You can pass this along to him though.” Gabe hands me a folded piece of paper. “He’ll understand.”
I stare at my brother. Vadim gives me a sneer. “Good to meet you, Allie. Looking forward to a long and fruitful friendship, yes?”
I don’t even know how to answer that.
Gabe walks away from the bar. Vadim falls in behind him. My brother disappears into the midday crowd, and I’m left stunned and shaking. My guards remain at my side, and I can tell they’re anxious to get out of here.
But I can’t bring myself to stand.
This is madness. Gabe can’t simply step into the role of a Pakhan. He’s not Russian, and there’s no way Vadim or any of the other brigadiers will follow him.
With shaking hands, I unfold the piece of paper.
There’s a simple message written in pen.
Allie, don’t worry, I’m going to shoot him in the head and dump his body in the Hudson. I really only need him for his daughter. I am serious about the Dragon though. Tell Mass not to stress about it. Love, Gabe.
I feel sick. This doesn’t make any sense.
What the hell does this man’s daughter have to do with becoming a Dragon?
“Ma’am, we should go.”
I get to my feet, shoving the paper into my pocket. I follow the men back out to the car. My head starts to work again when we’re on the road.
Gabe wants to be the Dragon. He’s going to kill Vadim and usurp Medved’s old network. I have no idea how he’ll pull that off, but a big part of me thinks he’s going to get killed trying to make it happen.
This is the lure of power. It’s a virus infecting everyone around it. Gabe’s going to throw himself into the fight, and I’m terrified there won’t be anything left of my brother when it’s all over.
Mass and Rosie are waiting for me in the hotel room. I throw myself into my husband’s arms and kiss him, my lips lingering for a long moment. I have to tell him about Gabe, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
