Page 25 of The Councilor

At least the woman could make me smile. I waited until she flitted down the hallway before taking a deep breath and heading in the direction of the man’s cigar room. He’d taken to handlingmore business in the dark environment than anywhere else. It gave him a sense of privacy.

As expected, Nikolay was already waiting.

“You’re late,” Vadim said, immediately pouring me a whiskey.

“This case is a pain in my ass.” I noticed he was amused given the spark in his eyes. “I hate defending politicians. They lie.”

“Well, I’ll give you something else to chew on for a little while. That’s what politicians do best. However, it’s easy to keep them on a leash. He’ll owe you one if you succeed.” Vadim handed me the drink and motioned to one of the chairs.

“He’ll owe me more than one,” I muttered.

Vadim seemed preoccupied.

I had a feeling I needed to continue standing. “What’s up?”

“I took your advice and instigated a meeting with Luciano Bernardi.”

Even Nikolay seemed amused. Why did it feel as if I’d come late to the party? A meeting meant nothing when it came to the Italian. He was a consummate liar. Then again, so was my Russian friend.

“How did he react?” I asked, throwing back a solid half my drink.

“Oh, he was none too pleased or eager to agree but I helped him understand the meeting was the best way for him to remain out of prison.” Vadim was grinning as he always did when he had the upper hand.

“I’m glad to hear that. Does that mean you planned on dropping off his illustrious shipment with the cops?” I did enjoy when he thought creatively.

“Let’s just say it’s one way to prevent a war.”

Nikolay was still chuckling. “You should have seen his face. He was huffing and puffing as if he was about ready to blow a gasket.”

“Being pressured will do that to you. Is that all?” I was already contemplating another drink. I’d almost gone to Raphaella’s apartment but knew that would be overstepping my bounds. Not that I’d cared before, but it was obvious the woman didn’t know what I was capable of just yet. Why burst her bubble? Plus, pushing any more of her buttons wasn’t a good idea.

He looked from Nikolay back to me. “I fully took your advice and suggested an arranged alliance. Well, suggested doesn’t cut it. I demanded.”

Exhaling, I headed back to the bar. For this, I needed another drink. “Marriage. Oldest daughter?”

“Yep. She wasn’t there of course, and he wasn’t too keen on telling me much about her,” Vadim said. “In turn, I told him I’d yet to decide who would be entering into the dazzling world of the Cosa Nostra. He got my point. He was still trying to keep the upper hand, which as you might expect I refuse to allow.” He moved behind his computer, typing on his keyboard with one hand, his drink remaining in the other.

“Does that mean he sent you something?” I walked closer.

“Just a sketchy picture to prove she existed since I did question that.” He hit print and was still laughing. “Now I just need tofigure out by tomorrow night’s meeting who is going to step up to the plate.”

“Any idea?” I glanced at Nikolay who threw up his hands.

“I already told you I don’t have time. Damien is keeping me busy.”

“How is that kid anyway?” Vadim slid the photograph across his desk as he asked the question.

“He’s adjusting. Still having tantrums though. It’s been a rough road and I’m not equipped to handle having a child. Let alone a wife I don’t even know.” The boy had been dropped on his doorstep, the news he had a son shocking.

I glanced at the picture and sighed. The photo was taken of the entire family, including Luciano. At least the information I’d discovered about his children had been accurate. Only it wasn’t easy to tell what the older girl really looked like. “He couldn’t do better than this?”

“I think that was his way of keeping a portion of the upper hand. She will be at that meeting so we’ll know once and for all if he’s snowing us.”

Something about the photograph disturbed the hell out of me, but it was likely because of the fact I didn’t trust Luciano any more than Vadim did. “Well, this should prove to be interesting.”

“Especially when the Irish mob learns of our alliance.” Nikolay lifted his glass. “To future endeavors.”

“Indeed,” Vadim offered.

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