Ivan’s POV: A risky alliance
I entered my office to see Maxim pacing about. “What is it, Maxim? You said it was something urgent,” I asked, folding the hands of my button-down shirt to expose my forearms.
“Ivan, we are in the midst of a war. The Triads and The Randazzos at each other’s throats.” Maxim said, his voice low and urgent.
I took a seat on my leather chair behind my desk, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. “How serious is it this time?” I asked. The Triads and The Randazzos have been at each other’s throats for months now.
“I think it’s bad this time. The Triads are already moving, there was a fire outbreak at one of The Randazzos’ warehouses. They think The Triads did it. We have been called upon to pick a side by both gangs since we have some business dealings with both parties.”
I frowned at that, “We don’t have to pick sides just because we do business with them. I answer to no one. If they have issues with each other, they should deal with it themselves.”
Maxim raked his hand through his hair in frustration, “Ivan, I know this, but we need to pick a side this time. We may become their targets, and both parties may team up against us. We do have the manpower to go to war against both gangs, but we can’t afford to lose more men and resources when this could be easily avoided.”
Well, when he puts it like that… he does have a point. “Alright, we could side with The Randazzos, they’ve got the manpower and the resources to go against The Triads and they seem more loyal.”
Maxim finally sits from across me, “That could work, but if The Triads win this war, what happens then? We need a safer bet, Ivan.”
I tapped the long trail of ash from my cig butt, and an idea popped into my head, “What about The Gambinos? They’ve got beef with The Triads and they’ve been looking to expand their influence. We could get them to take sides with The Randazzos as well.”
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “True, they might be willing to make a deal.”
“Set a meeting with their boss then. Maybe we could come to an agreement.”
It was late in the evening by the time I had finalized my deal with The Gambinos.
The meeting with their leader had gone well. We’ve both decided to be on The Randazzo’s side, much to The Triads’ disappointment. This means we have to be on alert in case they try to play dirty.
“I’ve doubled our security and that of your family in Norway,” Maxim said, reading my mind.
I nodded, “Good.” I thought about my family, my mother and sisters. It’s been weeks since I last spoke with my mother. Deciding this was the right time to call, I pulled out my phone to call her.
“Hello, moye ditya,” Her voice sounded weak, almost like she was sick. And my stomach dropped at the thought of that. I’d almost lost her to breast cancer two years ago. It was a scary experience, even for me and I can’t relive that.
“Mother, how are you?”
Her heavy sigh echoes in my ear, “I’m doing good, son. I just miss you. When do I get to visit you? It’s my sixtieth birthday in two weeks,” she chuckled, suddenly sounding brighter and somehow it felt forced.
“Mama, what’s wrong? You don’t sound too good,” I asked, not buying her bullshit.
“Okay, fine,” she sighs. “I know about the ongoing war between the gangs you’re involved with.”
She wasn’t supposed to know about that. Sure she knows what we do, my father was my predecessor after all. He died doing this and that took a lot from mother. “How did you know about this?” I asked quietly.
“It doesn’t matter, Ivan. What matters is staying away from danger,” she inhales sharply. “I can’t lose you too, I’ve been telling you to give the organization up. It won’t be easy, I know. But I want you safe, it’s time to let go,” she pleads.
This is one conversation I absolutely did not want to engage in, I’ve told her severally what my stand is, “This is my fate, mother. This is father’s legacy, I can’t let go and you know this. I’m careful, even more careful than father was.”
“It’s been almost twenty years! Years since you took on the business by yourself as a teenager and I didn’t stop you-”
“That’s because you were in no position to stop me! You let me look after my sisters and the business all by myself. I don’t blame you for it, but this is the life I want,” I snapped.
A pained noise escaped her lips, and I instantly felt bad for bringing up the past but I don’t want to give up this part of me.
“I won’t be able to live on if anything happens to you. I want you to find a nice girl to have children with. Someone who will love you, she will be by your side even when I’m gone. Being in the mafia will be unsafe for you and the future I want for you,” she sniffs.
“I’ll see you on your birthday, Mother. Take care of yourself.”
“I wish you’d finally see that I only want you safe, Ivan.”
“Bye, Mother.”
After I hung up, “Maxim, take me to a boutique. I need to get gifts for my mother. I might forget if I don’t do that today.”
“Okay.” He quickly swiveled the car, informing the other guards where we were headed while they followed.
“Yes, Aleks?” Maxim said into his mouthpiece.
Whatever Aleks said, made him tense a bit, “Are you sure?” He asked. After a beat, “Tell me what you see. Can you tell who they work for?”
Aleks explained a few things before Maxim spoke next, “No, wait for my order.” Then he looks at me from the rearview mirror, “We are being followed, Ivan.”