Page 84 of The Lazarov Bratva

That blood belongs on Aleksander’s hands.

“Things were supposed to be a done deal by now,” Seamus points out. “The intel we’ve exchanged has benefited both sides, but remember, Kristof. If this falls through, my side will believe me. Who will trust you if you are ousted as a traitor?”

No one. Unlike Seamus, I am only a lieutenant, and it’s a sheer stroke of luck that we were even able to strike a deal in the first place. Smoke curls out of my mouth and drifts slowly into the air above.

“There was an… unforeseen complication.”

Alena. While her ‘disappearance’ benefited me greatly personally, it has put a stake in the wheel spokes of my long-building plan to make Aleksander pay for his actions.

For the loss of my men, for the loss of Russian blood, and even the impact on our economy with the conflict raging across territories that affects those back home. That is part of the reason taking Alena wasn’t a good idea.

Not that I regret it.

“Anything I need to be concerned about?” Seamus drops his cigarette and stamps it out under the clack of his heel.

“No, nothing that concerns you. An internal hiccup I hadn’t anticipated, but I’m working to turn it to my advantage.”

“Alright.” Seamus sighs and roughly clears his throat. “We’re pulling back on Thursday. Use that to ship what you need to.”

“Thank you.”

Seamus grunts and swivels around, melting back into the darkness. I take my leave immediately, hurrying back to my car. Ever since Seamus and I met last year, this tentative friendship has quietly benefitted both families. Information I’ve passed on to Seamus has helped him save a few businesses, and in return, he’s helped me accept much-needed shipments from overseas and backed me in a plan that was concocted over Vodka.

I didn’t lie to Alena. My loyalty to the Family is unwavering. And it’s because of that, because of my deep-seated loyalty to the Russian Mafia and all we stand for, that Aleksander has to go.

Back in my car, I close the door and shove slightly back into my seat as my mind runs. This war, this bitter battle started because Aleksander moved too slowly when dealing with utter betrayal within our circle.

Now, this war is following a dance orchestrated by me for the greater advancement of both Families.

An alliance that would never exist through Aleksander’s current regime. He fails to see how peace between the Three is the most important goal.

With Seamus growing impatient, it’s time to put a few more things into motion. Just as I settle on that, my phone lights up with an alert from Ivan and my heart drops like a stone to my gut.

The searches of Ivan’s properties are complete.

And I’m next.

27

KRISTOF

“I don’t care. Just find a way to delay it!”

It’s a big ask. I know that as soon as I hang up on Ivan and slam the front door behind me. My house is next in the search, and if I’m not careful, they’ll turn up when Alena is still upstairs, none the wiser.

I can’t have a fucking property search fuck this all up for me.

Not when I’ve just persuaded Seamus that he has nothing to worry about.

At the bottom of the stairs, I force a deep breath to calm the turmoil raging inside me. My plans to get Alena out of the country need to be moved up. The only reason I delayed them slightly was because she enjoyed being out of the basement so much that I didn’t want to rush things. I have no choice now.

Striding up the stairs, I head straight for Alena’s room, and when I walk through the door, she immediately sets down her book. Her beautiful face breaks out into a warm smile, and just like that, a sensation of calm washes over me.

Everything will be alright.

As long as I have her.

“Kristof?” Her smile turns into a slight frown as she eyes me. “Is everything alright?”

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