Page 30 of Kaid's Empire

“Yes, sir,” I mumble sleepily.

Twenty-Two

Kaid

“She is booked in having her hair and make-up done all day. Allegra is with her. I need to be back by five o’clock to attend the prince’s party. I want at least two men on them at all times,” I order as the car drives through the streets of Monte Carlo.

“Already arranged, boss. She will be safe, she won’t be leaving the boat until you are with her tonight. Oleg is arriving tomorrow; he can update you on what’s happening back home,” Mikhail informs me.

The car stops and we get out. I enter the building and shake hands with my lawyer. “Good to see you, Kaid. I have your documents ready for you,” he greets, leading me into his office.

I follow and take a seat at his desk. I open the folder of documents and smile. He's done good. We have a lot of money and a lot of businesses, but a lot of that money––at least fifty percent of that money––doesn’t come from our legal businesses. Paul, my lawyer, sees to it that all money comes through the businesses, cleaning the dirty money. This is why Monaco is the perfect country to do it in––no taxes.

“All seems good. I will see to it that Mikhail pays you,” I state, shaking his hand. “I am not sure how long I will be in the country for, our next meet may be done remotely.”

“Whatever you need, anything for my best client,” he creeps.

“Mikhail, pay him,” I order as I walk back to the car. I know I am a powerful man; I know people fear me, but I hate it when people kiss my ass. I hate it when people will do anything to please me.

Mikhail gets in the car. “Boss, that guy’s lips are firmly stuck to your ass.” He laughs.

“I know, but he's good at his job. What is next?” I ask.

“We have one of Vitali’s men,” Mikhail says, surprising me.

“Here?” I ask.

He nods. “He came here in a plea to strike a deal with you.”

“I won’t give him a fucking deal, he chose the wrong side, he chose to go against the Bratva, and now he turns his back on his men. Why the fuck would I strike a deal with a traitor?” I snap.

Mikhail laughs. “I know that, boss, but he doesn’t. Figured it’s been a while since you sent a message yourself. Be good for your soldiers to hear back home.” I nod in agreement. I've been quieter than normal; I'm normally hands on in all aspects of running my brotherhood. Theia has been a distraction, a welcomed distraction, but I need to remember my duties to my people.

The car drives up through the hills of Monaco, out of the busy Monte Carlo to the quieter outskirts of Monaco city. “The villa?” I ask.

Mikhail nods. “Yes, boss, there is no staff, they have been given the day off.”

I nod as we drive to my villa, a six-bedroom property with pool and staff. Its purposefully not listed under my name. If for any reason the FBI need to search for me, I have properties like this in four other countries for me to hide in. It’s only the FBI that would come for me. I find the Americans fear my influence and power. Although, I have a fair few FBI agents in my pocket, enough to steer them away from me.

We stop at the villa, the iron gates open, and the car drives through, parking up. I step out of the car, feeling the heat of the sun on my face. I look out at the spectacular view, it’s one of the reasons I wanted it––I can see over Monte Carlo. I can see if anyone approaches my property. I don’t wait for Mikhail, I walk into the villa, straight down into the basement where I know they will have him waiting for me. I don’t like mess in my personal space, so I had them make the basement soundproof, with a thick smart-lock door that only mine and Mikhail’s thumb prints can open. As I walk down the steps, the automatic lights come on, illuminating the empty concrete space. There, in the centre of the room, is the man wanting a deal, tied to a chair and gagged.

I walk towards him and remove his gag. “My apologies you’ve been kept in such an appalling and unwelcoming manor. This is not how I treat my guests. Mikhail, uncuff the man,” I order.

The man’s eyes are wide with fear and caution. He has every reason to be scared, I have a reputation after all. I hold out a packet, offering him a cigarette. He takes one and Mikhail lights it for him. “Now, you know who I am, so why don’t you introduce yourself. All I know is that a man, that would be you, wants to strike a deal with me. Now, you will forgive me for being sceptical as I am aware of where your loyalties lie,” I state, putting the packet of cigarettes back in my pocket. I don’t smoke, not only because it’s bad for your health but it also leads to DNA. I am who I am, and I am as powerful as I am because I'm smart, I am careful, never leaving any trace of myself in a situation that could be traced back to me. Unless it means I can burn the evidence of course, then I don’t mind having a little smoke, but I'm not exactly about to burn my own property down.

I hold my hands out wide. “Come on then, this is your chance to tell all, this is your chance to convince me not to kill you.”

I see his hands shake, and his face pales. I smile, taking a deep breath––it’s like fresh air, the smell of fear, its intoxicating. “Kaid I––”

Mikhail jumps in. “You address him as Pakhan!” he barks. “You address him respectfully.”

The guy nods and holds up his hand in a prayer pose, like I'm fucking Jesus about to grant him forgiveness. “My apologies, Pakhan. I am Ivan. I work for Vitali.”

“Work for?” I question.

“I mean worked for. I don’t work for him any longer. I came to you because I have family and children to feed. Because Vitali is getting out of control… he's not sane,” he blabbers.

“He never was sane to betray me, to betray the Bratva. No person to do that would be sane,” I growl.

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