Page 98 of Boss

“We are forever connected to Kovalevsky!” his father shouted and slammed his fist down on his thigh. “Thanks to you and that barbarian of a son of his. We cannot sever ties. The best we can do is cover our asses. Not even the federal government and Kovalevsky can stop that. I’ve been working on a way to get us out of this.”

“From your chair?” he asked with a smirk.

“You think this chair makes me weak? You and Dale have already buried me, warring over my legacy. And the moment I was put in it you tried to take my company from me. Why Because of that little Mexican girl that killed your child?”

“Clarissa was just one of your many victims. And you killed my child.”

"And you have never trusted me since," Alek Marshall said.

“Did you or did you not work a deal with the feds?”

Alek Marshall had been his hero since he was two years old. He saved him from a cruel life in an orphanage. He taught him everything from horseback riding, to how to skin a boar. Everything Tarek had done, good, bad, evil and in between, he had done to please his father. Neither Dale nor Henry ever showed that kind of loyalty.

“What I’m doing is to protect all of my sons. I’ve had Havarti watching you and Dale to keep you from going too far which is why I tried to warn you to be cautious with the South American drilling. Yes. In April indictments will come down. Before that happens I will have cleaned the skeletons from our closets. And Kovalevsky will be left for the wolves.”

“Are you crazy?” Tarek asked. “Has that stroke fried your brain?”

Alek glared at him.

“You turn on Kovalevsky and you bring the entire Russian Mafia down on us.”

“I have it under control,” he said. “I always have. The doctors said I’ll be out of this chair soon. I can handle him. I have before.”

“You’re lying,” Tarek said. “Cash came to that ranch to kill me and her. If you didn’t send him only one other person would.”

“You think Dale did it?”

“Doesn’t matter what I think. It’s what I can prove right Pops? Dale doesn't do anything but try to live up to your expectations. You two want to hand me over to Kovalevsky.”

Alek shook his head. “You’re paranoid son. You’ll stay in this hospital and you’ll keep your fucking mouth shut while I clean up this mess. And then when it’s over both you and Dale will end this war between you. You’ll do as I say. What I say and When I say. Are we clear?”

“Where is she? Did they arrest her?” He shifted the conversation, not ready to agree to anything.

“I had Havarti send in someone from the firm. She’s at home. Dale put Reese on her, to make sure she stays put. She’s already told the police her version of things. Don’t worry. I’ll handle that too.”

Tarek tried to sit up but his chest hurt. “I need to see her. Dale will stay the fuck away from her...”

“Did you not hear me? We have her, son,” Alek said. “No one’s getting next to her. Including you.” Alek pushed his chair back from the bed. “We need a cooling off period. You need to remember that family comes first. The press is swarming. It’ll be national news before you get out of that bed and take a piss. From what I know she and this Daniel fella hadn’t done much damage yet. So the situation is contained right?” Alek cut him a sideways glance while standing before the hospital room window.

“I took the binder from them. It had the contracts and payments to Prime Minster Lopez. The E.P.U. had already received emails and other documents for months. Hey hacked our servers, our phones. Not sure what that will mean. She was more focused on proving that the drilling was illegal than caring about the bribes.”

Alek gaze went back to the window. “So this Daniel person is dead?”

“That’s what the police told me. Cash went in the house with Daniel to kill me. They didn’t find me so Cash killed Daniel and came after us in the barn,” Tarek said.

“Think she will blame you? Losing her friend happened because she was taken by force by you,” Alek returned his gaze to him.

“I thought you didn’t try to kill us?”

“Again with the paranoia,” Alex said. “I’m only asking because I’ll make sure that the case is closed, and your little hostage understands the wisdom in cooperating with us. That is if she can be bought. If not. I’ll throw her to the wolves. Let the cops have her instead of you.”

“She can be trusted. She and I have an understanding,” Tarek said.

“I trust you.” Alek said. “You get some rest. I’m gonna talk to your doctors. Make sure you get the best care. And when you are better, I’ll tell you all about my plans.”

Tarek watched his father roll to the door. His brother opened it and held it open until he rolled out. Dale winked at Tarek before he too was gone. When the door closed Tarek’s eyes shut. Kassidy wasn’t safe. Neither was he. He had to find out who turned Cash, and he needed to find out before his father silenced them both.

47.

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