Page 53 of Immaculate Corruption (Romanoff Bratva)

I hate saying those words. My life is starting to feel like one big fucking charity case. I’m ready to get back to my old life. Whether Arya wants to be part of it or not. I’m ready for my orders to be carried out. I’m ready for my enemies to fall at my feet.

Mostly, I’m ready for murder.

Ilyasov has two cars waiting in front of the airport, both under his name.

“Why two?”

“You think I came here just for you?” he asks, eyebrow raised. “Remember, I don’t do altruism. I have some business to attend here, so I thought it was a convenient time to take care of it. Especially before the babies come.”

My phone buzzes. A desperate, pitiful part of me hopes it’s Arya. I squash that instinct at once as I answer.

“Where you at, man?” Gennady’s voice comes over the phone.

“In the city. Plane just landed.”

“You flew?” He sounds worried.

“Private. Ilyasov set it up.”

Gennady makes an interesting humming sound in the back of his throat. I can’t tell what it means, but I don’t care.

“Listen, I’m here to finish the job. Right now.”

There’s a long pause. “You mean the D’Onofrio hit? How do you know where he’s at? His name is plastered on headlines all over the place. The police are looking for him because of the murder of his son.”

“Ilyasov has a tip on his location.”

“Shit, I dunno about all that, Dima. I’m sure your brother’s info is good, but you don’t want to put your nose in this business right now. If you do, this whole thing could be turned around on you. You want to deal with cops on top of everything else we’ve got going right now?”

“I’m not going to get tangled up in it. I’ll finish the job and be out of there before anyone knows any different.”

“But what if you’re not?” Gennady presses. “What if something goes wrong? Right now, you got away with it. You are in the clear. Don’t do something that will cause you more trouble than it’s worth.”

“I’d go through any amount of trouble to get my Bratva back.”

Gennady sighs. “That isn’t what I mean. I mean, don’t get yourself killed being reckless. You don’t even have a plan.”

“Listen, I didn’t call to get your permission. Maybe you’ve forgotten who I am the last couple months, but I’m still the calling the shots.”

“What does Arya say?” he asks suddenly. “Have you told her what you’re planning?”

Gennady is bringing Arya up to try and make me more rational. To try and remind me what I have to lose. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know I’ve already let her go.

“She told me to do whatever was best for me. So that’s what I’m doing.”

There’s a long pause. “Did something happen with you two? Where is she?”

“Gone. But this has nothing to do with her. I’m going to get my Bratva back and this is the way to do it. I just thought you should know.”

I hang up before Gennady can say anything else. I don’t need to rehash the events of the day with him. This isn’t therapy.

It’s war.

“Your second isn’t on board?” Ilyasov asks, leaning against a stone pillar in front of the airport with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

“My second is always on board. I’m the one in charge.”

Ilyasov shrugs. “I don’t blame him. This is a crazy plan.”

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