I see the calculation in his eyes. He wants to give the order so badly, but he can’t. He won’t. Grigori Ivanov didn't survive this long by being hot-headed. He knows killing a brigadier in front of the others, without proof or reason, would fracture the organization. Maybe tear it apart.
He needs their support and their loyalty. Without them, he's just an old man with paranoia and hired foreign guns who'll disappear the moment the money dries up.
He waves his hand and the barrels lower, the safeties clicking back into place.
"Get out," he orders. "All of you."
The men stand, moving fast, eager to put distancebetween themselves and this room. Yuri pauses for half a second, his eyes on my father, like he wants to say something. He thinks better of it and leaves. I head for the door and right on cue…
“Roman,” my father's voice booms. “You stay."
The door shuts behind the others, leaving me alone in the room with my father and his mercenaries.
"You're good,” he drawls, shaking his head. “I'll give you that. You didn't crack."
"I didn’t have a reason to."
"We’ll see…”
I stay quiet.
“I don't trust you."
"Then kill me,” I offer. “Or don't. Just stop wasting my time with these games."
"Games? You really think this is a game?"
"I think you're paranoid,” I reply, unfazed. “You’re blaming everyone instead of dealing with the real problem.”
His face darkens. "Real problem? Like your constant bitching about my alliance with the Albanians?"
“If that’s what you want to call it. I call it a mistake. I’m not the only one.”
His features harden. "I don't make mistakes."
"Everyone does. Not everyone admits it.”
He rises from his chair, moving toward me like a predator past his prime, dangerous, only to himself. He stops close enough that I can smell vodka on his breath.
"If I find out you took her?—"
"You won't,” I say through my teeth. “Because I didn't."
“I'll make you beg for death before I give it to you."
"I'd expect nothing less."
We stare at each other, neither of us backing down, until he snarls, “Get out.” He waves a hand, dismissing me like a servant.
I’m nearly at the door when, of course…
"Roman."
I stop but don't turn around.
"I'm watching you. One slip and I’ll know.”
"You'll be watching for a long time."
