"I have terms," I say.
Silence. "Terms?" One of the men looks at me like I’m crazy.
"I want out."
The room erupts. Voices raised in shock, in anger, in disbelief. But I stand steady, waiting for the chaos to subside.
"Explain yourself.”
"I've served this family for five years as pakhan. Eliminated our enemies, expanded our territory, increased our profits. This life is incompatible with the family I'm building. I have a daughter to protect. A child on the way. A woman I love who deserves better than waiting for me to come home in a body bag."
"You would abandon your position?" One of the old men sounds genuinely confused. "Your birthright?"
"I would choose my family over power. Yes."
"And who would lead in your place?" Yuri asks. "Are you suggesting we allow Radimir or Bogdan to live and take over?”
“No,” I answer immediately.
“We cannot have a power vacuum. That invites chaos."
This is the delicate part. I look at Alexei, who stands straighter, understanding what I'm about to propose.
"Alexei," I say. "He's been my second for five years. He knows our operations, has the respect of the men, and has proven his loyalty and capability repeatedly. He would make an excellent pakhan."
The elders study Alexei with new eyes. He's young, only thirty-six, but so was I when I took over. And he has advantages I neverhad—patience, diplomacy, the ability to see multiple sides of a problem.
Minutes pass like hours while they deliberate. I stand back, waiting for my fate. If they don’t agree, I know I just put a huge target on my back. If they know I have one foot out the door, they will not hesitate to push me all the way out.
"The council will accept this proposal, with conditions. Alexei will assume leadership, subject to a probationary period. You, Dante, will be granted exit from active operations, but you remain available for consultation as needed. And most importantly—you and your family will be under our protection. No one touches you without council approval."
"And Richard Quinn?" I press. "His name is cleared and he returns to work with full standing if he chooses."
"Agreed."
The weight of that single word is enormous. I've done it. Negotiated my way out of a life I was born into but never wanted, secured safety for the people I love, and ensured the organization will continue under capable leadership.
"Then we have an accord," I say.
"Then it is done." Yuri makes a formal gesture. "This council is concluded."
As the elders file out, Alexei approaches me.
"You're sure about this?" he asks quietly. "Once you walk away, there's no coming back."
"I know." And I do. This choice is permanent, irrevocable. But it's also necessary. "You'll do well. Better than I did, probably."
"I learned from the best." He extends his hand, and I shake it, feeling the mantle of leadership passing between us. "Thank you. For trusting me with this."
"Thank my father. He always said you'd make a better leader than me."
Alexei heads downstairs to carry out the executions. His new position makes it necessary for him to be the one to kill them.
I stand alone in the ruined dining room and let the weight of my decision settle fully. My father would probably understand.
Maybe.
It doesn’t matter. My decision is made and I’m good with it. I don't feel the regret I expected. Instead, I feel relief. The burden I've carried for too long is off my shoulders.
