Chapter 11

Alexei

 

I gaze out the window as we make our way through the city. I’m meeting with other members of the syndicate today. Something is going down, we just aren’t sure what. It doesn’t bother me, I’m ready for a war if it should come to that. In fact, I’m always ready. My thoughts drift to Clara though. They always seem to do that these days. I waited until she fell asleep and then carried her back to her room. Once she was sleeping soundly in her bed, that’s where I left her. I felt like shit for doing so but it’s better this way. I told her when she first arrived that if they had broken her then I would shatter her, and that wasn’t a lie. I know I am not capable of love but that is something I can see she would need. Lust? I can do that part, but nothing more. I’ve lived through too much and have been deemed unworthy of anything more than a quick fuck here and there. But the more I watch her on those goddamn monitors, the more I want to know her. It’s an odd feeling for me to have because I’ve never given a damn about a woman before. Of course I’ve fucked them and had my way with them, but that’s it. 

“Are you ready for this meeting?” Dmitry asks pulling my attention to him.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know. You seem to be out of sorts today,” he says. I know he can see it. Dmitry has always been able to see things in me that others can’t. Perhaps that’s due to the way we were trained or the fact that we both watched the other live through Hell. Either way, he sees me.

“I want to know what this meeting is all about. Nothing has been spoken and that bothers me.” Dmitry nods and doesn’t say anything further. We pull up outside the restaurant where we typically meet. It’s an old Russian-style place that one of the others own. Dmitry climbs out and waits for me. We both walk in together when I spot the others. I make my way over, leaving Dmitry near the door as they all stand to greet me.

“Alexei, it’s so good to see you,” Andrei says. All the men at this table are Vors and all rein under the syndicate.

“You as well,” I tell him shaking his hand before moving around the table to do so with each of the others.

“Let us get this meeting underway. We are all very busy,” Fedor says. Fedor is the oldest of all of us making him outrank us. We follow his guidance and he’s never caused us to stray. I’d like to say that we look up to him in a way.

“Before we begin with the overall matter, do any of you have anything we need to know about?” I raise my hand and Fedor nods.

“The situation with Jimmy has been handled. I know I wasn’t the only one he was in contact with. I have my men looking into his contacts, but so far it looks to be with local police only. Once I have that information, it will be handled accordingly,” I inform the room. The men all nod.

“Good, good. Do keep us all informed and if you need more manpower, know you have it. Anyone else?”

“My daughter is to be married in two months’ time. I extend an invitation to all of you,” Igor adds.

“Ah, very well. We will all be in attendance for something so spectacular. Now, going forward. We have word that the Irish are plotting and planning as we speak. We don’t have details at this time, but the syndicate is checking into it. From what we’re told, they have a mole moving in. As we acquire and stabilize more and more alliances, I ask that you be aware of whom you bring into your circles. This isn’t anything you aren’t already aware of, but I do like to remind you of that.”

“Do we know which family?” I ask paying close attention. There’s always been tension between us and the Irish. We’ve never made a move and neither have they which has kept us in comfortable agreement. Now, that seems to be changing.

“We don’t at this time. What we do know is there was to be some sort of alliance between them and the Italians. One forged by marriage. As to who that is to be, we don’t know. I’m asking you all to keep your eyes open and if you hear anything, report it back. The syndicate is taking this very seriously as should you. We all know that there are two Irish families here in New York at the present and although we haven’t had any problems with them thus far, that means nothing.” The men all reach for their glasses including me. Swallowing the amber liquid, I watch the others talking amongst themselves. I have no worries of anyone infiltrating my organization. I don’t allow outsiders in and everyone must be vetted in order to join at all. Although that’s the case, it does not always happen that way. There are times when someone sneaks under the radar, but I pride myself on checking into anyone that comes in contact with my family.

“One more thing, if I may,” I ask pulling all attention to me.

“Yes, Alexei.”

“I have a situation with Timur Vasiliev. I would like to ask that the syndicate allow me to handle this issue at my discretion.” All the men eye me wondering what the hell he did, and I know I’m going to have to tell them.

“Under what circumstances?” Fedor asks.

“They had taken my cousin with force. She was raped and abused, near death. I have her at my home now but retaliation has yet to come.” The gasps and huffs I hear around the room aren’t a surprise. I knew they would be pissed.

“Who is he working for?” Andrei asks.

“I don’t know that yet. I’m currently looking into it and ask that if any of you hear anything, you will inform me as well.”

“And what of her father? Has he nothing to say on the matter?”

“No. Lev has informed me that Stepan has nothing to say. I spoke to Stepan to confirm what Lev told me and I must report that he was correct. Stepan has no desire to handle this situation. That is where I step up,” I inform the room. They all glance at each other before looking back to Fedor.

“Your uncle holds merely soldier status. The syndicate will back you on this, Alexei. Are we to assume you will be taking responsibility for Alina?” Fedor asks. I nod my head once.

“Yes. I will be. She will be under my protection moving forward as will Lev.”

“Death is the sentence for such betrayal. Are you able to handle that?” He asks, and I smirk. I’ve been killing since I was a child. Death is something I’m close to.

“Yes. That won’t be an issue.”

“Very well. If that’s all, we shall eat,” Fedor announces. The men all agree, and dinner is served. We all sit around chatting about our lives, our businesses, and our families. Drinking and enjoying the solitude of my people can be overwhelming, especially when thoughts of Clara keep running wild in my mind. She may be Irish, but she isn’t a part of our world. She was in a bad situation that landed her where she is today. Even though I cannot love her, that will not stop me from keeping her.