The latter might be worse because it meant there was a price that had willingly been set and paid.
Beside me, Lev shifts, the subtle crack of his knuckles breaking through the silence. “Sounds like a power grab. The Petrovs were one of the richest families we worked with. A lot of influence. A lot of capital. Did Matvey look into their financials yet?”
“Not yet. He said he would. His focus is still on the footage. He wants to know how far back the loop started, see if it was tampered with earlier in the week. There may be signs of surveillance from outside. If it was someone close, they’d want to monitor habits before striking.”
Lev’s gaze shifts to me again, a knowing look in his eyes. He’s thinking the same thing I am. This wasn’t just a hit made by an opportunist. It was a damn thesis on precision.
I glance around the grand hall, eyes lingering on the polished crown molding, the tall windows, the thick stone walls reinforced with steel. The vaulted ceilings and heavy doors screaming of wealth and security.
This place is built like a fortress, much like the Petrov estate had been. And yet… they were no match.
A cold thought edges in around the steel barrier I keep up in my mind.How easy would it be for the same thing to happen here?
Someone walking through our gates, someone we trusted.
I grind my molars together and force it down. This isn’t the first fire someone’s lit beneath me in recent weeks, but it’s certainly the largest.
I step forward, voice flat. “Dismissed.”
Viktor and Stephan barely flinch, already used to my clipped tone in the aftermath of bad news. Both men bow their heads in respect. “Yes,Pakhan.”
They slip out in silence, their footsteps quiet on the polished floor as they retreat. Lev doesn’t move other than to lift his glass up to his face. The amber liquor catches the low light as he swirls it once before taking a long look into the swirling center like it holds some kind of prophecy.
A line’s formed between his brows.
“It might be wiser to leave some of theSovetin the field,” he finally says. “Pulling everyone in for a sit-down… it could leave us exposed. Especially if this problem is more widespread than we think.”
I’d only ever allow Lev to question me like this. He’s earned the right, far more than anyone else within this syndicate.
“I’m not willing to take any risk by letting this simmer in the background. We let this fester too long already. If someone’s taking out top contacts, then they’re preparing for far worse. This is them testing the waters to see how we’ll react and planning accordingly.”
His eyes stay on me. “You’re thinking it’s a purge.”
“Yes.”
A slow breath leaves him as he lifts his glass to his lips and drains it in a single go. The only hint of reaction is the slight flare of his nostrils at the burn. He stands smoothly, setting the empty glass down with a softclink.
“I’ll head downstairs, see what Matvey’s dug up. He’s been quiet today, which usually means he’s found something that’ll make us want to drink more.”
I offer a humorless grunt. “Let’s hope that’s the case. If not, we’re already at a disadvantage.”
Every second we stand still, the noose tightens.
“I’ll call you both when the rest of theSovetarrives,” I say.
Lev turns, pausing as he reaches the open archway. “Not until everyone arrives. I don't want to be stuck alone when Katya and Roman get here.”
I raise a brow. “You really can’t deal with their arguing today?”
“I haven’t slept in two days and I’m tired of watching her emasculate him in every conversation. It’s like live theater but worse because they can’t even fuck it out afterward.”
“Fair enough,” I mutter. “I’ll stall them as long as I can.”
Lev flashes me a rare smirk before disappearing down the hall.
I exhale through my nose and reach for the bottle at the wet bar again.
By the end of tonight, I’ll be lucky if I don’t go to bed wasted beyond belief.
