“A disagreement,” I say. “Is Denis here?”
She nods.
I find him in the living room, drinking my vodka. He’s looking a lot better, but there’s a crutch against the sofa, which makes sense since he got shot recently.
“Are the troops here?”
“Out the back. Not all the high-up men came. I did like you asked, told them they had the choice you offered at dinner, to stay or walk. But there’s no hesitation if you stay in. If you choose out, that’s it.”
“Good.” I look him in the eye. “And you?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
That he is.
He finishes his vodka and gets his crutch, and we head into the back garden.
There’s a large patio area away from the mansion, which I could use for entertaining or big meetings.
I look over the assembled men. “I’ll lay it out in simple terms. Melor is gone. Anyone who isn’t loyal to me can leave right now. No harm. Just hand in credentials and Belov weapons.” A goodnumber of them leave, laying down my weapons, tossing the cards they use to get in through the gates onto the table.
That part is symbolic. I’m changing the codes tonight. I’ll be changing a lot of things.
When the last man leaves, I look at the thinned number.
A couple of the higher ranks left, too. But there are a few remaining, along with Denis.
And as for the men who stayed, they look…genuine. Like they want this job, like they want to earn a high place, to be a part of something.
They look, in short, like men ready to do what I ask of them.
“I look after my men. I’m loyal, and I expect the same. I don’t do things the same as Aleks, but I hope to show you I want to build something good, powerful. Those in the hospital have been spoken to. Most are joining us.” I glance at Denis, who nods. “Go about your business. If you’re working, work. If you’re at home, go home. My door is open if you wish to talk. Dismissed.”
Denis follows me inside with some of the others, and we all talk a while. But I stick to business as usual, and then we can review our relationships with other allies.
Finally, it’s just me and Denis.
“You did good,” he says. “Build this better.”
He’s about to pour a drink for us, when there’s a knock on my office door.
A young soldier comes in. “Sir, my name is Elisei, and I’d like to help in any way I can.”
He seems eager, but I’m not about to trust easily. Shit, I don’t even quite trust Denis, though he’s on his way to earning it.
But this kid holds himself with almost a quivering need to prove himself.
“If I may, I am honest. I will speak the truth to you,” he says. “Always. And I’m eager to help build your bratva up. This could be a new era, and I’d like to climb the ranks.”
“Oh, you would?” says Denis.
“Yes, I would. Through hard work, through proving myself. And if Melor backstabbed you and my brothers, then I’d like to help fix the situation. So, what’s the first point of business, sir?”
“The first point?” I ask. “That’s easy. Find Melor and kill him.”
Chapter Nine
ALINA
