Two could play at his game.
I stood on the docks, staring at what remained of the boat, the debris strewn less than one hundred yards from shore. What little fire remained would disappear within minutes. While the Coast Guard had been notified, the various men who were on my payroll had put a cease and desist to any unwanted questions or a full-scale investigation. However, the fact two of the best runners I’d used had perished in the attack left my mouth dry and my need for retaliation at the forefront of my mind. Almost two million street dollars’ worth of product had been lost, unacceptable on every level.
There was no calling card of the individual who performed the deed and I doubted there would be. At least not yet. This was a game, a flexing of muscles. Fuck this shit.
“What now, boss?” Cordero asked as he flanked my side.
“Find out if Santiago has left the country yet. I also want you to put a hold on any further operations for now. Make certain this remains as quiet as possible and I want to know any shit coming from the streets.”
“Yes, sir, boss.”
I noticed headlights in the distance and bristled, realizing that while this particular visitor was unexpected, his arrival in town meant whatever information he’d been able to ascertain had disturbing implications. I remained in position, taking several deep breaths. My next call would need to be to my father. Seeing Aleksei walking in my direction was both welcome in certain regards as well as disconcerting.
Aleksei moved beside me, shaking his head as he followed my gaze. “It seems your luck is bad, my friend.” His Russian accent seemed heavier than usual. “I suspect you’ve been sent a warning.”
“The second in mere days.”
“You have damaging enemies.”
A few seconds passed by until I couldn’t stand the sight of the wreckage any longer, turning to stare at the various dilapidated offices fronting the entire dock area. “What are you doing here, Aleksei? Aren’t you a little far from home?”
“I do enjoy the sights and sounds of Miami.” Aleksei glanced from right to left, no doubt checking for the possibility of being overheard.
“The location is secure. I take it that you’ve been able to find Kostya?”
“He was brazen in his actions, coming home almost immediately. My men were able to track him easily. For Bratva, the behavior is unusual.”
“That certainly doesn’t sound like the Kostya I know.” Something was off. Kostya wasn’t a stupid man nor did he take the need for precautions lightly. “Is there some operation coming out of Russia that I should be concerned about?”
“Not that I’ve been made aware of and as you know, I have several connections remaining in Russia. Kostya’s activities since his arrival spoke of a man with no fear.”
“Interesting,” I said half under my breath.
He shrugged, glancing toward the dock. “Yes. Either Kostya felt safe or there was a distinct reason he found it necessary to return to Philadelphia. While he has some family, they were not on speaking terms.”
“And you had a discussion with him?”
He moved until he could look into my eyes. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity. However, Kostya will not be an issue for you any longer.”
“And why is that?”
“He was gunned down yesterday in a restaurant just outside the city. My sources tell me that he anticipated meeting with someone. The assassination was clean, a silencer used.”
“So the asshole knew his assailant.”
“It would seem that way. Then again, from what my soldiers mentioned, Kostya had no intention of hiding, even purchasing a Maserati upon arrival in town. I will say, the timing is interesting, the scuttlebutt on the street far too quiet. That doesn’t bode well for my business operations.”
I shoved my hands into my pockets, taking several deep breaths. “If I were to venture a guess, your theory was correct. It would seem that someone is attempting to muscle in on the entire East Coast. We may need to put Dominick on high alert.” Whoever had taken out Kostya was tidying up loose ends. Working together might be the only way to eradicate a combined enemy.
Whoever the hell that turned out to be.
“Trust me, my friend. Dominick is aware of every activity,” he said, chuckling. “He has his soldiers combing New York and New Jersey for any additional information. My people are checking DC and the surrounding cities as well. Eventually, someone will talk. Nature of the beast. I also suspect that we’ll both hear of drugs in our streets that didn’t come from our supplies.”
Eventually. Those odds I could barely stomach.
I tilted my head, the slender light from the moon as well as the few lights on the dock allowing me to see the gleam in his eyes. “Yes, I agree. You know, you could have told me this over the phone, my friend.”
“I could have but I needed a couple days off. The lure of such a magnificent city.”
“How is your lovely bride?” I asked in passing.
He grinned, an unusual sight for such a hard and brutal man. “A beautiful yet very disobedient woman.”
“Exactly what you need.”
“As she continues to tell me.” His face clouded over as he took a deep breath. “Besides, I wanted to bring you some information that should be important to you and in truth, security should be of the utmost importance within your organization.” Aleksei pulled an envelope from his jacket, cursing in Russian under his breath.
“What is this?” I asked, peering down at the thick package.
“Call it insurance, which you may need. I took the opportunity of doing some research on Mr. Rivera. It seems that he’s ruthless in various endeavors, leaving behind a trail of… what I would call stupidity.”
“Interesting choice of words.”
“Mr. Rivera has many sides. I’d be very careful in how you handle him.”
I took a deep breath before nodding. My friendship with the Russian was proving to have several uses. “Duly noted.”
“Also, it would seem you have a traitor in your operation.”