Page 107 of Between Us

Wordlessly, Alessandra stepped to the side to make room for Matteo. He entered the house, only stopping to place a brief kiss on the top of her head as he walked past her.

Roman watched the scene with a blank look on hisface. Hands in his pockets, he turned around to head back to the study, and Matteo followed quietly.

As they both disappeared down the hall, Alessandra watched their departing forms with a deep frown, feeling that something was off about the late-night get-together. Making a quick decision, she discarded her house slippers and rushed on her tiptoes until she was standing in front of the study door with her ear pressed to the smooth wood.

“I thought we were meeting alone,” she heard Matteo say.

“This is Stepan. He’s a friend and a man I trust. You can speak freely in front of him.”The crystal decanter clinked a moment later.”Vodka?”

“Yeah, why not.”

Roman spoke again after a minute in which she imagined he'd filled a glass for everyone in the room.”You said your father doesn't know. Why should I trust you? How come you have important information that your Don doesn't?”

“I have my own connections outside the Outfit. I found out about the shooting from an associate of mine. I made sure the information didn't reach my father.”

“Why?”

“Because I know him. He's unpredictable at best. Instead of trying to clear the misunderstanding with you, he could just as easily go on the offensive before you had the chance to strike first.”

“I got the feeling he favors me instead of Vitaly asPakhan. Wouldn't this...misunderstandingbenefit him?”

Alessandra bit on her thumbnail as she listened totheir conversation. At least they were talking and not going at each other's throats. It had to be a good sign, for sure.

At least she hoped so.

She couldn't claim she understood the way a mafia organization worked, but as long as there was willingness to sit down and talk about their issues, she figured it was better than the alternative.

“He favors you because he thinks you'd be more easily manipulated. But don't be fooled; he's wary of you, too.”

“Should you be telling me this?” Roman sounded vaguely amused.

“To be honest with you, I’m tired of this senseless, never-ending war. It’s taking a toll on our men, and I'm guessing on yours, too. We need some fucking peace, at least for a while.”

Alessandra's teeth dug harder into her nail. She'd already chewed off most of the pink polish, which meant a trip to the salon was in order soon.

“Let me show you something,”Roman said after a small pause.

Silence filled the office for so long, Alessandra had to wonder what Roman was showing him.

“That’smy mother's car,” Matteo said, matter-of-fact. “It was stolenfrom a repair shop a week ago.” A chair creaked.”My father thought it was just a street gang looking to make some easy money from selling it for parts.”

“What gang would be stupid enough to steal from the Mafia?”Stepan asked in his deep voice, joining the conversation.

“Romanian gypsies are pretty bold. We’ve had issueswith them in the past. They’re organized and know how to hide their tracks.”

Stepan grunted out a non-committal sound, and Alessandra didn’t think he was convinced.

“The only proof I have is my word,”Matteo said in a voice so quiet, she barely heard it. “It wasn’t us. My father may be unpredictable, but he isn’t crazy. He knows how important this alliance is for us. He’d never do anything to endanger it. Hell, he was the one to suggest it in the first place.”

After another pause, Matteo spoke again. “I know you were looking into the death of one of your men—the one they found decapitated in the river.”

“Anatoly’s uncle?” Stepan asked.

“How do you know about him?” Roman sounded suspicious.

“They found the body at the border between our territories, so we did some digging too. I was able to get this from one of our guys who runs a pizzeria in the area.” Footsteps as someone walked farther into the study then Matteo continued, “Three men crossing the alley in the dead of night. We immediately recognized this one as Kasparov’s man—his name is Arsen. We weren’t sure it’s the dead guy he’s dragging along, but then last night, I took a closer look, and I noticed this. Look at what he’s wearing around his neck.”

“Orthodox cross,” Stepan said.

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