“He’s held the Bratva together for decades,” I pointed out.
“The world is different to what it once was. The men are unhappy. The risks are higher. Honor lacks under his watch. When Veles rose through the ranks, I saw the difference in him.
“On the outside, he represented little more than the worst of Muscovian society. But his ability to gather the young around him was incredible. Mostly because he did it out of a desire to protect. Not to abuse. Young boys came to him for safety and he gave it to them. For free.
“That was what killed Dmitri’s father. Fyodor never understood the power Veles had.Ourmen came out of the woodwork to bring Maxim Lyanov home when he was trapped in a Russian hospital, an execution notice on his head. Even knowing that that notice could and would fall on them if they were caught in the trap.Only because of Nikolai Veles.
“In thanks, what did Veles do? He invited them to the US. He called them back home.Hewas their home. I don’t think he understands his power, but it fascinates me, nonetheless. For a brutal sadist to possess such a gift is something to be coveted. My uncle didn’t realize what he had until he lost it, and he lost it when Veles was a mere street rat.”
“What does this have to do with anything?”
“Revolution isn’t always a sharp firecracker. It can be the slipping of a drug into a cup of coffee.” An unholy light appeared in those wicked eyes. “As Sofia has so often proved.”
“She drugged him?”
“She has not admitted to it, but his current instability leads me to believe so, yes.”
Processing that, I pursed my lips. “Why was your mother trusted to turn Graham Brackton?”
“He denied her access to me unless she behaved.”
I winced. “What a bastard.”
“Indeed.”
“You know she worked on the streets in the early days?”
“I do know that and I hate him all the more for it. One has to eat and as an illegal immigrant with no means of protecting herself unless she obeyed, she rebelled. Until that broke her.”
“I’m surprised he trusts you.”
“Because I always obey him,” he told me, his tone facile. “Always. When he ordered me to drag Sofia to his office to be disciplined, I did. I hated him for it, but I complied because to comply is to gain trust, even if for the longest time, Sofiadidn’ttrust me.” He leveled me a look. “When he orders me to sack a town, I comply. I don’t agree, but I comply.
“He asks me to poison a politician who seeks an increase of policing on Moscow’s streets, I do it. So, why wouldn’t I kill my wife when he asked?” He wafted a hand at my exclaimed, ‘Figghiu ri buttana.’ “Uncle took it as the ultimate sign of trust. The idiot. Now, I have more freedoms than ever before.”
“You killed your wife?”
“I didn’t want her. Didn’t pick her. Didn’t like her. Didn’t even fuck her—” When I choked on my own coffee, he raised a brow. “This comes as a surprise to you? Why would I risk her getting pregnant?”
I thought about his zealousness when he talked of Yseult and wondered if she’d had more to do with this than he let on.
“Why should I trust you if, using your own words against you now, youcomplywith everything your uncle says?”
“Because it’s all been building to this moment.” Those ice-blue eyes glowed with a fire that I’d experienced a time or two in my life. “His eradication will be upon his own request and I cannot wait to deliver him to his maker.”
“How long have you been planning this… coup?”
“Since the first time I met my mother and Isawa broken heart in the flesh. Choices come with consequences. In this instance, that’s revolution.”
“Why are you being so open with me? Just because you want my drugs?”
“Because you possess a unique mind, Custanzu. I, too, am often overlooked. They see us as weapons. Tools to kill.” He tapped his temple. “But we know otherwise. Your drugs will shape the future.”
“And you’ll rule the Bratva like a benevolent dictator?” I mocked.
“Benevolence is a gift. Democracy is overrated. Look at this country. You believe it to be democratically run, yet the president is on my uncle’s speed dial?—”
“How did that happen?”
