“From a well-known source, Robert. The mayor’s dying words mentioned a club. Little did I know it meant golf buddies.” I watched his face sag as he began to understand what I was insinuating. “Several well-respected attorneys, including Wallace Greenbriar, who of course you know worked for the Church family, subsequently made certain Peter kept a wealth that didn’t belong to him. Yourself, the mayor, even my father’s own consigliere were a part of a very different club, one that hungered for wealth and power.”
“I can explain.”
“I’m certain you can,” I said without any particular tone in my voice. “When my father’s consigliere found out about the Church family, their true surname being Solntsevskaya, people who fled the tyranny of the Bratva for a better life, he enlisted the help of his buddies. Only these two good people wanted nothing to do with bringing another faction of the Bratva into the United States, so you had them killed. The plan concocted was brilliant: use the son, a man who had no issue playing a role in order to provide prosperity to all of you. Given Peter’s hunger for money, he had no issue following orders.”
I allowed the words to sink in.
“That’s crazy,” Robert insisted, his face flushing.
“Hmmm… Unfortunately, you didn’t realize that Peter was truly… unstable, his initial upbringing quite different than the Solntsevskayas led anyone to believe. That’s because he grew up in an orphanage, a damaged child, one who was adopted by a loving set of parents and brought to America.”
I leaned over the desk. “You thought it would be easy except for one thing. Willow. She wasn’t supposed to be in the picture. Oh, Peter did try and push her away. The finest schools, the most expensive college, but she kept coming back. So, in his sick mind, he chose not to get rid of her but to use her.”
“You just… You don’t know what you’re talking about!”
I allowed a bitter laugh. “I have all the evidence I need on your business transactions with Peter and the Russians, including aspects of espionage from legitimate companies. Blackmail. Murder. Peter wasn’t stupid. He kept full account of every conversation, email, and business dealings, including names and dates. In a sense, he was also used.”
Robert wiped his eyes, his hand shaking. “What the hell do you want? I’m having the charges dropped against your father. If that pinhead Trent Willowby had kept his end of the bargain, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“So you had him killed because he was afraid I was getting too close. He knew I’d already met Willow and since she didn’t pull the trigger, ending my life, he was worried that she and I were working together to find the truth.”
His lower lip quivered and I noticed his right hand had lowered to his desk drawer.
I casually unbuttoned my jacket, making certain he noticed the Glock positioned in my holster. “I don’t intend on killing you, Robert. In fact, I don’t have to, but you do have a choice. You can turn yourself in. You might be protected from the true monsters, Russians who have no conscience and who don’t like to be double crossed.”
He said nothing, his face paling.
I smiled and grabbed the photograph. “I’ll keep this just in case. There are other deals that I can offer.” I headed for the door, keeping my steps slow and steady.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked.
“Why?” I thought about his question. “Because I’m an honorable man.”
Aleksei
“How in the hell did you manage to get the damn police commissioner to turn himself in?”
I stood at the oversized window, staring out at the ocean water, feeling more relaxed than I had in years. I could see Lorenzo’s reflection, his ample grin giving me a chuckle. “I have certain methods that are proven to work.” Robert had only taken a few hours before doing exactly as I’d recommended, sending another shockwave into the city.
“The man is good at what he does,” Dominick said half under his breath as he lifted his glass. “Our shipments are secure and order restored.”
“Ours as well,” Lorenzo added. “You did good work, Russian.”
I turned to face them, raising my glass toward theirs. I still had another secret to reveal, one I had held back probably for far too long. Maksim’s digging had certainly provided detailed information on Willow’s parents, including the wretched life they’d been forced to live before escaping to the States. My mind was heavy even though my heart was full.
“How’s your father?” Michael asked.
I stole another glance out the window, knowing he was somewhere on the beach or by the pool, enjoying his freedom. “Happy to be a grandfather today and resigned with everything that’s occurred.”
“And your consigliere?” Lorenzo kept the question light.
I’d heard the news about Jonas from Maksim, although the details were sketchy. He’d been found easily, forced to face my father’s wrath. My father had made good on what he considered his responsibility to deal with. I was certain Jonas’ demise had been… lengthy. “He will no longer be an issue.”
“That is good to hear,” Dominick muttered. “I’m sorry for the betrayal.”
Every man had his price.
I couldn’t get the words out of my head.
I had mixed feelings about the situation, but business was business. Traitors weren’t allowed.
The doors were pushed open, Miguel walking in. “I’m sorry I’m late. Some unexpected business.”
“Trouble in paradise?” Dominick asked, grinning.
“More like rounding up the last of Peter Church’s men. You were right in your assumptions, Aleksei. The Russians confiscated the ship bound for my ports. Sadly, that’s the only information I have.” Miguel walked closer, holding out his hand. “I think we all owe you a solid thank you.”
“Nah. You know how those Russians are. It’ll go to his head.” Lorenzo’s voice boomed in the expansive room.
I couldn’t help but smile, glad we had a sort of kinship.
I heard the light tapping on the door and immediately my heart raced. “Willow.”
“Am I interrupting?” she asked, lifting her eyebrow as she studied each man. I hadn’t told her about the alliance, nor had I mentioned it to my father. The invitations had been spur of the moment, but worth whatever anger our various fathers might impose. In an odd sense, the four men had become extended family.
“We were just…” I had no idea how to finish the sentence.
“Being boys,” she finished.