My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and glance at the screen.
Unknown number.
I hold it for a moment, then answer without bringing it to my ear. “Speak.”
A voice comes through, distorted slightly by the connection. “You’re tightening your circle.”
Arkady’s voice is calm and amused.
My expression doesn’t change. “You’re calling from an unknown line.”
“Precaution,” he returns. “I would think you appreciate it.”
I keep my eyes on the map. “You aligned with an outsider.”
There’s a brief silence on the line. “Aligned is a strong word.”
“It’s accurate.”
Arkady’s breathing is calm, almost relaxed. “You’re escalating internally.”
“Internal discipline isn’t escalation,” I reply.
“It is when men start disappearing,” he states, the amusement thinning.
I don’t answer. I don’t need to confirm anything.
He continues, keeping his tone smooth. “You’re hunting ghosts. You won’t find her where you expect.”
My hand tightens around the phone, just enough to crease the edge against my palm.
“Your leverage isn’t a negotiation chip anymore,” I tell him. “You’ve crossed into territory you can’t walk back from.”
Arkady chuckles, soft and cold. “Listen to yourself. You sound like Nikolai.”
That’s meant to destabilize me. To shove me back into my father’s shadow.
I keep my voice neutral. “This is your only warning.”
“I don’t require warnings.” His voice lowers a fraction. “You require discipline. You’ve lost it.”
“I haven’t lost anything.” I watch my men moving around the table as they prepare to leave. “I’m retrieving what’s mine.”
Arkady pauses, then lowers his voice. “Be careful what you turn this into.”
I don’t answer immediately. When I do, my tone doesn’t rise. “You brought an outsider into my organization.”
The silence lingers on the line.
“I brought in leverage,” Arkady replies smoothly.
“You brought in a liability.”
Arkady pauses for a moment. “Ivan is useful.”
There it is. Not loyal. Not contained.Useful.
“That word won’t protect you,” I tell him.
