Page 79 of Lord of Vice

Two men stepped into the sunshine looking exactly like they had in their internet photographs. As if they were movie stars. Only where I was wearing a suit, they could have stepped out of… oh, yeah. AMiami Viceepisode. I’d even looked that up last night during my foray into insomnia.

As Dante and Diego moved closer, their men remained like dutiful soldiers.

“Dante and Diego Santos, as I live and breathe.” I said in jest more than anything.

“Kraven Sokolov, king of Las Vegas. I’m Diego. The happy go lucky one next to me is Dante.”

While they were spitting images of each other, they’d grown up in entirely different worlds. And from what I’d heard, the man they’d believed their father to be wasn’t; instead the brutal South American Cartel leader who was finally getting up there in age was. Emmanuel Santiago was truly brutal in a world where it was measured in gallons of blood and lost limbs.

“Welcome to my home.” I backed to one side so they could enter.

“So, you had some trouble yesterday,” Dante said as both men passed, entering the foyer.

I glanced at the surrounding area before heading inside, closing the door behind us. “Yes, I did. A group of assassins attempted to finish what a single man had failed.”

“And it’s likely they will try again,” Diego said under his breath. “Nice place. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Vegas.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to LA. Let’s talk in my office. I have family and guests inside the home.”

The two brothers looked at each other as if they already knew who and why. Of course we’d checked out our respective backgrounds.

I headed for my office, catching sight of Penny standing on the next floor landing. While I’d told her I had a meeting, I hadn’t mentioned why. She looked perplexed. And worried.

“We can talk in here.” As soon as I motioned them inside, Konstantin rose to his full height, nodding to both. “This is my counselor, Konstantin Morozov.”

My guests looked at each other again, Diego doing the speaking. “No offense, Kraven, but what we have to say needs to be in private. At least at the beginning.”

I lifted a single eyebrow, noticing Konstantin was immediately incensed. He was the epitome of a hot-headed Russian. I nodded for him to leave, which he was none too happy doing but at least didn’t fight me. However, he did slam the door in protest.

“There isn’t anything you will say that my second in command hasn’t heard before, gentlemen.” I allowed them to hear the irritation in my voice.

“You’ll understand why in a few minutes,” Dante said.

I had a sense they were probably right. “It’s early, gentlemen, but after yesterday’s near massacre, I could use a drink. Would you like one?”

“Sure. It’s five o’clock somewhere, right?”

I wasn’t certain who’d made the comment since they both sounded exactly alike, including in their voice inflections. There was something to that twinning thing I’d heard about.

“Scotch? Whiskey? Gin?”

They gave me their orders then moved to the set of couches I had opposite my desk. After bringing the drinks, I settled into the single chair. “What can you tell me about the two attempts made on my life?”

“I can tell you that they were planned. On the day of the first assassination attempts, three other prominent leaders of similar organizations were eliminated.” Dante pulled out photographs from a file he’d been holding, placing them on the coffee table in front of me.

“You think they’re all connected,” I said.

“Yeah, we do,” Diego piped in. “One was a prominent leader of a group in Canada, another from the Midwest, and the last was from Seattle but he had direct ties to one of the most powerful families in Italy. They were definitely targeted, their schedules located with ease and unlike you, there was no one there to save them. However, in two instances, one of the three assassins sent to each elimination was killed.”

“How are you certain they are connected?” I asked.

“I assume you looked for any identification,” Dante said. “And found none.”

“Correct.”

“That prompted you to have his body searched. Yes?” Diego asked.

“Of course. As well as the other assholes I killed just yesterday.” My mind was already shifting to the tattoo and as soon as Dante pulled out another photograph, I pulled my phone from my jacket, finding the photograph Konstantin had sent me earlier. I held out my phone for both men to see.