Igor barely reacts. "He has no claim."
"True, but I know his reputation. Right won't stop him from taking it."
This does get a reaction. Igor is a cold fish, but I see the slight tick in his cheek. He doesn't care for Artem. Maybe it was whatever beef Alexei and him had, or maybe, because he believes Artem has no business in New York. Doesn't matter much to me.
"What makes you think I need your help?"
"Don't play stupid, Igor," I lean back. "You and I know that if Artem challenges you, he has a shot. He's connected."
"But you have legitimacy," Gemma says. "Artem is an outsider. He has no roots here. No organic support. The only reason he has any power is because Alexei's death created a vacuum."
"And you want to fill that vacuum. With me." Igor leans back. "What's in it for you?"
"Stability," Marcello says. "We don't want a war. We don't want the Russians tearing themselves apart and dragging us into it. We want a strong, stable Bratva. Under a Pakhan we can work with."
"Work with. Not control."
"We don't want to control you," I say. "We want mutual respect and cooperation." I channel Antonio because I want to strangle Igor. "It's not the nineteen twenties, we can't be killing each other in the streets."
Igor studies me. Then Gemma. Then back to me.
"You're asking me to trust you. The man who nearly beat Alexei to death. Who has killed my brothers in the dark." He leans forward. "Why would I do that?"
This is where it could go wrong. Where my temper could fuck everything up.
I feel Gemma's hand on my knee under the table. Gentle. Grounding.
"Because the alternative is worse." I lean forward. "I'm the Don now. I wear a different face. But the killer who took down your men? He's still here. Still ready." I smile slowly. "You can work with me, or you can face me. Your choice."
Igor studies me. "There he is. The killer. I was wondering when he'd show up."
"I never left," I say quietly.
"Because Artem will destroy you," Gemma adds. Voice soft but firm. "He's not here to work with you. He's here to take over. And if you don't have backing, real, powerful backing, you'll lose."
"And if I do? If I accept your support?" Igor's eyes narrow. "What do you want in return?"
"Access to the ports. Continued cooperation on the union contracts. And—" Gemma pauses. "—we want you to forget about any... rumors. About who might have been involved in Alexei's death."
There it is. The real ask.
Igor's quiet for a long moment.
Then he laughs. "You have balls, Mrs. Marini. I like that." He looks at me. "She always this direct?"
I roll my eyes. "Unfortunately."
"Good. I hate people who waste my time." He signals to Stavros. "Vodka. The good stuff."
Stavros brings a bottle. Four glasses.
Igor pours. Slides glasses to each of us.
"Here's what I know," he says. "Alexei was a pig. He hurt people. Used people. Made enemies." He drinks. "Whoever killed him did the world a favor. I'm not sad he's dead."
I watch his face. Trying to read him.
"Here's what I also know," he continues. "Artem Orlov is dangerous. More dangerous than Alexei ever was. He's smart.Patient. Ruthless." He pours another drink. "And he wants my head on a spike."
