Page 69 of Lord of Debauchery

“What about some huge Russian connection with Uncle Mitchell. Is that true?”

He brought the rocks glass to his lips, taking a sip before looking out the window. “Yes. From the old days we knew the Bratva were capable and willing to do anything. While he had the Death Squad already in formation, numbers growing every day inside every country, he wanted a solid backing of true savages. Before you ask, I didn’t know who they were until I started doing some digging myself.”

“Okay. Who are they?”

He returned to the chair, nodding toward the other one. I wasn’t in the mood to sit but I sensed whatever he had to tell me now was a bigger bombshell.

If that was fucking possible.

I sat down, taking a quick glance at my watch. “I have a date, Pops. We need to hurry this along.”

“You care about that woman, don’t you?”

As I leaned back, I considered his question. It would seem everything in my life had become altered, as if I’d been shoved into a parallel world. “I care a lot about her, yes. She is the one who’d reminded me of the things in life that matter. I don’t really know how it happened in such a short period of time.”

“Women have a way of doing that to you.”

Just studying him was a fascinating lesson in human nature. Nothing pulled him off topic except for when my mother was brought up or he thought about her. Did I want that in my life? The answer was somewhat profound.

Yes, I did. “I’m no fool, Dad. I can tell you’re trying to tell me something so just get on with it.”

He pulled an envelope from his pocket. “You must know I care about you and your brothers. I also have tried to respect your authority, even though I knew you’re going to argue with me. What you’ve done with our dynasty has been incredible.”

“But…”

“No buts, son. I will continue being your father, which means I’m going to look out for your best interest, even if it seems I’m going against you in some way. There couldn’t be anything further from the truth.”

“What in the hell are you getting at now? I also need to have a frank conversation with the Brotherhood about what you’ve learned. If you have some research data, you need to supply it as well.”

“I already left a jump drive on your desk, son. And I’m aware the Brotherhood gave you an extensive list collected through the years on likely members in at least the top two tiers. They do tend to keep the upper echelon very secret. You’re going to need to check your list to ensure I’m not wrong.”

“About?”

“Inside this envelope is some information about the woman you’re falling in love with.” He noticed I’d bristled again and threw out his hand. “Remember what I told you, son. Women can be the most treacherous beings on the face of this earth, but they are the only reason life is worth living. I’m an old man, Beckham. I’ve lived a long time, long enough to have finally learned that things aren’t always what they seem.”

“Are you trying to tell me that Kenya Markham is a bad influence or worse? She’s been the only person in this ugly freaking world who managed to awaken me from the goddamn dead. I will not have you disparage her. Do you fucking hear me?”

I jerked to my feet, ready to toss him out of my office. “She is the one, Beckham. I’m now positive of it.”

“But you think she’s bad for me.”

“You’re missing what I’m trying to say or I’m just saying it badly. Inside this envelope is the truth about who she really is. Sadly, if you compare it to the list you received from the Brotherhood, I think you’ll find some correlation. However, you need to listen to your heart on this one. Just trust me. I’ll repeat myself. Things aren’t always what they seem and often, people will do anything they can to get away from the evil in their lives, even in that means they’re forced to start all over again. Try and remember that if and when you open that envelope. And be careful of Mitchell, son. I don’t believe he has any humanity left.” He placed his glass and the envelope on the coffee table and stood, giving me a rare respectful nod.

As he walked out, I closed my eyes briefly.

When I finally glanced at what he’d left, my gut told me not to open it. But the business mogul inside of me, the one that had been through recent horrific attacks told me otherwise. Leaning over, I jerked the envelope into my hand, finally standing and heading to my desk. The jump drive Pops had brought had been placed next to the laptop. I already had the one that Constantine had provided in the slot, taking about ten minutes to check the list they’d compiled prior to heading up to visit Kenya. The list was extensive.

And overwhelming.

I changed them out, pulling up the database Pops had compiled. After that, I opened the envelope. After a quick glance, I had to sit down. I flipped through the photographs and other information he’d somehow managed to gather, finally shoving it aside. I pressed both hands against the sides of my face, lowering my head as I tried to figure out what the fuck I was supposed to do.

However, the first thing to do was to double-check the name. It could be nothing more than a mistake. What if it wasn’t? What if she’d lied to me? What if she’d been a plant?

The idea was far-fetched. Granted, the city was tiny and it was possible the fuckers had attacked us at a location the odds were we’d find the bed and breakfast. Goddamn it. I couldn’t really be buying this shit. Now who was into some crazy conspiracy theory?

But with minimal hesitation, I did my due diligence by searching Dad’s database alphabetically.

And fuck. There it was.

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