Page 121 of Kingmakers, Graduation

“Don’t,” I say, touching her lip with my thumb. “You’ll hurt yourself.”

“Why are you taking the heat for Jasper?” she says. “He fucked up bad.”

“That’s what it means to be the boss—I’m responsible for what Jasper does. Besides, there’s power in the pack. I’d rather fight Zakharov with seven of us than give up a brother.”

She’s frowning, her dark eyebrows giving poignant expression to her face. I want to smooth out the little lines of worry. I want to take all her fears away.

“You wouldn’t turn Jasper over to be tortured and killed. No matter how much you hate him.”

“I don’t hate him,” Sabrina sighs. “And no, I guess I wouldn’t give him to Lev. Not really.”

“Good.” I smile. “Then for once, we agree.”

For a week,nothing happens. I think maybe Zakharov will let it go. Zigor was his only son, but I’m sure he was a hinderance to Lev’s business as much as a help. Zakharov spent a lifetime building his small horde of money and influence. He’s still only a bit player. Revenge could cost him everything.

Then Mykah calls me. Though Apothecary is neutral ground, Mykah and I have been friends a long time. We were at school together—not only at Kingmakers, but also in St. Petersburg, in our middle and senior classes. He often passes me information, and I do the same for him.

“Bad news, my friend,” he says without preamble.

“Oh?”

“Lev Zakharov is in town. And he’s hired Cujo.”

“What for?”

“No one’s saying it openly. But I think you can guess.”

I certainly can. Cujo has been breaking knees and slitting throats a long time. He’s one of the best, and he doesn’t come cheap. I wish Zakharov had picked a different time to be extravagant.

“Thanks for letting me know.”

“Watch your back, my friend.”

I hang up the call, wondering if I should say anything to Sabrina. This isn’t going to help her stress levels. On the other hand, it’s dangerous for her not to know that Lev is here in Moscow, hunting me down with the help of the city’s premium enforcer.

In the end, I gather all the Wolfpack together and tell them to be on their guard.

“No one goes anywhere alone. Keep your mouths shut and watch your back. Especially you, Andrei.”

“I haven’t told anybody what Jasper did!” Andrei cries, offended.

“Nobody?”Vlad says, suspicious. “Not in some comment on Reddit? Not a whisper to your favorite stripper?”

“No fucking way! I’m offended you would even ask.”

“You did spoil Vlad’s birthday surprise,” Sabrina remarks.

“And you told Adrik who dented his bike,” Hakim says.

“And you called Eban Franko’s wife by his mistress’ name,” Vlad adds.

“Those were different!” Andrei protests. “This is way more serious.”

“Franko’s wife tried to cut his balls off. That was pretty serious to him,” Chief says.

Jasper has been sitting quietly this whole time, his skin green-tinged and sickly-looking. He’s got a bandage along his jaw from the most recent addition to his tattoos.

“Never mind,” I say, to make them stop. “Just remember what I said. Stay together. Don’t go near thekachki.”

---