Bratvas , but Kostya had the balls to pull it off.
Alex didn’t care if the little shit pierced every inch of his body, with his father Gedeon’s influence, Kostya was going to be a good leader someday and Alex liked him.
“Alex, we understand the less than ideal circumstances, but time is of the essence. My uncle Efim says that Petrov is moving swiftly to appoint his replacement, that he’s already having paperwork drawn up for shifting over the Bratva’s assets into the new heir’s name, so he is wasting no time. This is a delicate situation for all of Moscow—hell, for all of Russia, and many are scrambling to figure out who Petrov will select. It has created unrest and my uncle and I agree that the potential for violence hangs thick in the air. Whoever Petrov chooses will inherit a volatile Bratva . They will be tested, again and again, until they establish power. He will need to be a strong man, someone people will think twice about crossing. My uncle said there is much fighting within the Dubinski Bratva about who should rule.”
The urge to rub his face with frustration was huge, but he couldn’t let Kostya see his worry. Efim was Kostya’s great uncle and the man had been a part of the Dubinski Bratva for over 40 years. He was one of Petrov’s most trusted advisors and a key player in arranging for Alex and Dimitri to meet in secret with the Boldin Bratva . Alex trusted Efim, and wished he was here to shed some light on the situation, but right now his uncle Petrov needed Efim, so Alex met with Kostya instead.
“I agree.” Sometimes it was necessary to be blunt and honest. Holding the other man’s dark gaze, he said in a low voice, “The Boldin Bratva has as much to lose as the Novikov if the wrong man is named as heir.”
“This is true.” Kostya nodded slowly. “It is no secret that the Dubinski Bratva is among our closest allies and we would not endorse a bloodthirsty, spoiled fool to lead it. And we certainly do not need another psychopath like Cozir Sokolov.”
Tapping his fingers on the gleaming rosewood table, Alex nodded in agreement. “That would be unfortunate.”
They all grimaced at the mention of the sadistic animal who led the Sokolov Bratva . So far he hadn’t messed with the Novikovs’ people, but Alex didn’t trust him at all. The man was still angry about losing his prostitution business to the Novikov Bratva and Alex knew that loss of income had hurt the fractured Sokolov Bratva . Fractured because when Cozir took over years ago, many of the Sokolovs who did not want him as a leader fled for the United States, taking their money and influence with them. Those who remained were corrupt men Alex wouldn’t trust to guard a pile of dog shit.
Ivan took a drink before setting his glass down with a controlled, precise movement.“The man who will run the Dubinski Bratva must understand that peace is better than war. I do not want some idiot getting us all killed. He must understand that the safety of our people comes first. It is no secret that the Dubinski Bratva helps keep my wife alive, as it does with your mother, aunt, and female cousins, Kostya. No man at this table wants anything but peace for his family. That is why we are here.”
The younger man curled his upper lip in a warning snarl. “I know why we are here.”
Instead of engaging in a pissing contest with the suddenly volatile young man, Ivan shrugged. “I do everything I can to ensure my Gia’s safety, but I am only one man. It is my circle of friends and family that have built a wall of protection around her. That wall includes the influence of the Boldin Bratva . I am grateful for that protection; it has allowed me to build a good life. The kind of life that I want to continue to live. The kind of life I want not only my children to have, but yours as well.”
Alex considered Ivan as he expertly handled the prickly young man. While he knew his old friend did not want to inherit the Dubinski Bratva , he
Alex didn’t care if the little shit pierced every inch of his body, with his father Gedeon’s influence, Kostya was going to be a good leader someday and Alex liked him.
“Alex, we understand the less than ideal circumstances, but time is of the essence. My uncle Efim says that Petrov is moving swiftly to appoint his replacement, that he’s already having paperwork drawn up for shifting over the Bratva’s assets into the new heir’s name, so he is wasting no time. This is a delicate situation for all of Moscow—hell, for all of Russia, and many are scrambling to figure out who Petrov will select. It has created unrest and my uncle and I agree that the potential for violence hangs thick in the air. Whoever Petrov chooses will inherit a volatile Bratva . They will be tested, again and again, until they establish power. He will need to be a strong man, someone people will think twice about crossing. My uncle said there is much fighting within the Dubinski Bratva about who should rule.”
The urge to rub his face with frustration was huge, but he couldn’t let Kostya see his worry. Efim was Kostya’s great uncle and the man had been a part of the Dubinski Bratva for over 40 years. He was one of Petrov’s most trusted advisors and a key player in arranging for Alex and Dimitri to meet in secret with the Boldin Bratva . Alex trusted Efim, and wished he was here to shed some light on the situation, but right now his uncle Petrov needed Efim, so Alex met with Kostya instead.
“I agree.” Sometimes it was necessary to be blunt and honest. Holding the other man’s dark gaze, he said in a low voice, “The Boldin Bratva has as much to lose as the Novikov if the wrong man is named as heir.”
“This is true.” Kostya nodded slowly. “It is no secret that the Dubinski Bratva is among our closest allies and we would not endorse a bloodthirsty, spoiled fool to lead it. And we certainly do not need another psychopath like Cozir Sokolov.”
Tapping his fingers on the gleaming rosewood table, Alex nodded in agreement. “That would be unfortunate.”
They all grimaced at the mention of the sadistic animal who led the Sokolov Bratva . So far he hadn’t messed with the Novikovs’ people, but Alex didn’t trust him at all. The man was still angry about losing his prostitution business to the Novikov Bratva and Alex knew that loss of income had hurt the fractured Sokolov Bratva . Fractured because when Cozir took over years ago, many of the Sokolovs who did not want him as a leader fled for the United States, taking their money and influence with them. Those who remained were corrupt men Alex wouldn’t trust to guard a pile of dog shit.
Ivan took a drink before setting his glass down with a controlled, precise movement.“The man who will run the Dubinski Bratva must understand that peace is better than war. I do not want some idiot getting us all killed. He must understand that the safety of our people comes first. It is no secret that the Dubinski Bratva helps keep my wife alive, as it does with your mother, aunt, and female cousins, Kostya. No man at this table wants anything but peace for his family. That is why we are here.”
The younger man curled his upper lip in a warning snarl. “I know why we are here.”
Instead of engaging in a pissing contest with the suddenly volatile young man, Ivan shrugged. “I do everything I can to ensure my Gia’s safety, but I am only one man. It is my circle of friends and family that have built a wall of protection around her. That wall includes the influence of the Boldin Bratva . I am grateful for that protection; it has allowed me to build a good life. The kind of life that I want to continue to live. The kind of life I want not only my children to have, but yours as well.”
Alex considered Ivan as he expertly handled the prickly young man. While he knew his old friend did not want to inherit the Dubinski Bratva , he
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