Page 60 of Lord of Debauchery

“I’m Constantine Thorn, Kansas City is my home where I was born and raised. This is Gabriel Giordano from New York, Maxim Nikitin from Miami and New Orleans, and last but not least Kraven Sokolov from Las Vegas.”

Two Russians. I found that fascinating, Maxim being the angry one of the group, he didn’t want to be here any more than I wanted any of them here. But my instinct was starting to kick in that I needed to hear them out.

“The Brotherhood. Let me formulate a guess. You’re a group of the most powerful, influential, wealthy, and of course dangerous men inside this country and beyond. Perhaps you formed an alliance simply to ensure equality amongst our worlds, keeping the unwanted and brutal cartels in their places while offering support as needed to one another. Unfortunately, one of your main functions is to keep watch on vicious and harmful acts in society in general, perhaps hunting the members of what the dark web coined the Death Squad. From what little we’ve been able to ascertain, they are an extremely secretive group with members from the most prestigious parts of the world, folks who have some crazy wish to live on private islands while eliminating commerce as we know it. Shipping. Financial districts. Oil. Weapons. Politics. Commerce. Even the entertainment industry. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Yes?” I asked, locking eyes once again with all of them. “Maybe I’ll toss in they have a list of targets a mile long they’re going to slowly starting chipping through, eliminating anyone they consider a possible enemy. I do wonder if they also have an opposing list of those they’re going to save. Perhaps they’ll become slaves.”

It was an interesting effect when you stopped a group of leaders from puffing up because they knew all that was going on and were shocked you did as well.

“Chertov mudak,” Maxim said under his breath.

“I may very well be an asshole but you’re in my town, in my house, and since you’ve obviously heard my soldiers and myself were recently sent on a huge goose chase that could have ended in tragedy not once but four times, and you’re drinking my liquor gives me the fucking right to say what’s on my goddamn mind.”

“Now, see. I like this man already,” Gabriel said. He was someone whose reputation preceded him all up and down the East Coast. As the ruthless yet extremely fair leader of the New York Cosa Nostra, someone I’d thought about engaging in a meeting with over the years. Not that I could remember the reason at this point.

“Forgive my Russian friend here,” Kraven said. “He’s from the old school, hatched in Moscow.”

Maxim promptly gave him the middle finger. “I just don’t like arrogant pricks,” he offered.

“That makes two of us.” I refused to take my eyes off him. When he smiled, I wasn’t certain what to think. “Forgive me for being pushy but why are you here?”

“You already know the reason, at least to a point,” Constantine offered. “Yes, we call ourselves the Brotherhood, which is a somewhat formidable name for people of like mind, which all of us here are.”

“Go on.”

Gabriel sauntered closer. “We’re expanding our numbers for the very reason you mentioned. Of course, given we’ve been attempting to track down the members of the Death Squad for years with limited success, you might understand why the four of us are surprised about what you know.”

“Sadly, I don’t know shit other than what I just mentioned. I’ve heard bits and pieces from a few sources, which prompted me to slide together pieces of a puzzle which I don’t even know are from the same box. I do believe they have become aware they are being searched for.”

“Not good,” Constantine said quietly.

The liquor was starting to look better and better at this point. “I assumed as much.”

“Then you really were attacked. Any idea why? Meaning what was the point?” Kraven asked.

“Honestly, I don’t know. Why blow up a new recording facility? We weren’t selling drugs illegally out of the facility. I gathered they were trying to rile me or have me on edge.”

“Or check your level of security. They’re famous for that,” Giordano added.

I nodded, feeling used and like an idiot for allowing myself to fall into a rabbit hole.

“Why do I have a feeling you have some inkling what their ultimate goal is?” Constantine pushed.

“Unconfirmed thoughts only, as of today.”

Gabriel and Constantine looked at each other. “We consider ourselves a think tank as well. Any assistance is appreciated.”

I decided what the heck. Maybe one drink would take some off the edge. I headed to the bar, remaining quiet until I’d added two fingers of bourbon to a glass. I leaned back against the bar, preventing them from continuing to help themselves. “I’m going to guess you’ve put together a few pieces yourselves, which is what prompted you to insist on seeing me. I also suspect it has something to do with my family since you made that our introduction.”

Constantine lifted his glass again. “Nicely done. Given the possible issues at hand, I suggest we don’t waste each other’s time and put our cards on the table. However, I would prefer we do this without an audience.”

He was nodding toward Jeff, who had remained by my side dutifully. “Jeff. Go check on my guest. Ensure she’s okay. Take her some fresh water. Let her know… I’ll be there shortly.”

“Yes, sir. If you’re certain.” He eyed them as I’d done before.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” He closed the door behind him. I nodded toward Constantine.

Constantine had both eyebrows lifted. “A prisoner of war?”

“A casualty of need and desire,” I answered, which was an interesting way of looking at it.

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