Page 72 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

“No. No man has that power.”

“They say the Bratva can do anything,” he scoffs, lowering his head down. “They say you’re like a king. Like a god. What a lie. What a fucking lie…”

Before I can think of how to answer, Dr. Roth walks in.

“Doctor,” I greet. “Let’s step outside.”

I pull him out of the guesthouse and explain the situation. “This is Vitya Azarov. My father-in… rather, my late wife’s father. Something’s wrong with him. He’s not himself.”

I recruited Dr. Roth shortly after Aurora and Yuri’s deaths. He’d never met them, but he knows the history. He’s also an accomplished physician and surgeon. And since he works exclusively for the Bratva, he’s on call twenty-four-seven.

He turns his dark blue eyes on Vitya, visible through the window, and nods slowly.

“At a cursory glance, the fidgeting and tremors are indicative of some kind of drug,” he says. “My first guess is he’s been abusing pharmaceuticals.”

“What kind of pills?”

“I’ll find out,” Roth replies. “Will you give me some time with him?”

I nod and gesture for Konstantin and Alexi to accompany me out of the room. Vitya just sits in his chair with his head hanging low.

His hands and legs have been tied to the chair, so I’m confident he won’t be a threat to the doctor. I’m more concerned that he’s a threat to himself.

Matvei is waiting outside when we exit. I dismiss Konstantin and Alexi first and then turn to him.

“How’s Vitya doing?” he asks.

“Roth thinks he’s been self-medicating.”

“Fuck. The man’s really changed.”

I grit my teeth. “Haven’t we all?”

“Not everything is your fault, Phoenix. You know that, right?”

I turn away from Matvei. The last thing I need right now is to be absolved of my sins.

He sighs, knowing me well enough to know when it’s best to change the subject. “I checked with the men to find out how he got in.”

“And?”

“Would you fucking believe it? He walked in through the front gate. Liv was the one on duty and he recognized Vitya. The old man told him that he had come to see you and the gates were opened for him.”

My anger dissipates somewhat. “Ah, well… thedurakshould have informed me first, but chalk it up to a misunderstanding.”

“Liv’s shitting his pants right now.”

I smirk. “Let him stew a little then. Consider that his punishment.”

“Does it trouble you, though?” Matvei asks. “I mean, it’s clear that as erratic as Vitya’s behavior seems to be, he can be lucid for periods of time.”

“I know,” I nod. “I don’t think it’s dementia. I think it’s just the grief.”

“Doesn’t mean he doesn’t need help.”

“That’s what I’m trying to give him.”

Matvei nods. He hesitates, then adds, “We can’t have him talking either, Phoenix.”

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