Page 39 of Deadly Devotion
“Dimitri, you’ve been quiet. What do you suggest?” The room went silent as I turned my full attention to him.
“It’s a delicate situation,” he began. “We must retaliate, but you need to decide if you’re ready to go to war with Adachi. We know what he wants. He wants to handle distribution. Is there a way you can make it work to our advantage?”
The decision rested upon my shoulders, a burden I carried willingly, just like my father did before me. The beast in me wants to see the blood of Adachi and the Yakuza turn the streets of New York red. But thepakhanwants what is best for the Bratva and business.
“I will set a meeting with Adachi,” I announced, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions.
Reaching out to Adachi was a dangerous gamble that could either forge a fragile peace or ignite a war that would consume us all. But aspakhanof the Avilov Bratva, I stood resolute, a beacon of strength amidst the shadows. None of the vors dared to speak out against my decision.
They nodded in acceptance of my decision, holding up their glasses. In unison, they responded, “Da, pakhan.”
Dimitri joined me in the office after the vors went their separate ways. “It is a good decision,brat,“ he expressed.
“Have Boris make the call to Adachi’s man. Let’s see if we can come to an agreement about distribution.”
I would navigate this treacherous path for Talia. The weight of my responsibilities was onerous, but one truth remained unwavering- I will protect her, whatever the cost.
I poured two glasses of vodka and handed one to Dimitri. “Any more information on Mikhail’s killer?”
“Not yet. We are fairly certain he is part of Lupani’s crew and we know there was an argument over money.” Lighting a cigarette, Dimitri took a long drag before blowing out smoke circles. “We haven’t identified the trigger man yet.”
“Keep asking around,” I instructed. “I need to be one hundred percent sure before going after Gio Lupani. We can’t afford a war with the Italians unless we’re positive.”
The drive home was a blur of city lights and shadows, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of Talia and the baby. How had our lives become entangled in such peril? I could not help but replay the moment she was shot, the terror in her eyes etched into my memory like a searing brand.
Dimitri’s voice broke through my thoughts. “We’ll make preparations for the meeting with Adachi. But we must tread carefully.”
I nodded, my jaw clenched with resolve. “Agreed. We cannot afford any missteps.”
Back at the mansion, the silence was suffocating. The absence of the children’s laughter, the echoing emptiness of the hallways—each corner seemed haunted by the specter of danger.
I found myself standing in front of Talia’s room, a hesitant hand poised to knock. What would I say if she opened the door? Conflicting thoughts tangled together in my mind. I need to feel her, breathe her in. Drive my cock deep into her until all the tension leaves my body. Hold her close until nothing remains except the two of us. But I could not bring myself to knock. Instead, I retreated to my study, surrounded by the trappingsof power—books on strategy, artifacts from a life steeped in tradition and secrecy.
The weight of beingpakhanbore down on me, and its demands were unforgiving. I had inherited this mantle of authority, but it was a crown laced with thorns, each decision a test of loyalty and strength.
As dawn broke on the horizon, casting an amber glow across the city, I stood at the window, a solitary figure against the backdrop of a waking world. The delicate balance between duty and desire threatened to unravel me.
For now, I will prepare myself for the negotiations ahead. Adachi awaited, a shadowy adversary lurking in the shadows. But as the sun rose, illuminating the path before me, I knew one thing with absolute certainty. Whatever lay ahead, I would face it with unwavering resolve for the sake of those I loved and the legacy I carried on my shoulders.
Chapter 25
Aleksandr
A few days later, I sat by the pool, relishing the deep aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The cool morning breeze carried the distant laughter of children from the nearby table where Talia sat with Sasha and Maxim, enjoying breakfast. Dimitri approached with purpose, a man with news to deliver.
“Good morning,brat,“ he greeted, settling into a chair across from me. “I checked on Sandy at the hotel. She’s safe.”
I nodded gratefully, setting down my cup. Dimitri handed me a green file folder. His following words piqued my interest.
“I stopped by Echo last night. The bartender had some information for us.”
Upon opening the file folder, I was greeted by the cold, dark eyes of a killer. A balding man with medium brown hair and dark brown squinty eyes stared back at me.
“That,” Dimitri stated, pointing to the photo, “is Vic Corallo. He’s been questioning the waitresses at Echo, trying to get information on Talia. Mostly, he’s been asking when she’ll be back at work.”
“Who does he work for?”
“Ah, that was what I found interesting. He is a low-ranking soldier of the Lupani family. He reports to Tommy Lansky, one of Gio Lupani’s captains.”