Page 2 of Dimitri

I nodded.

“I will still offer my connection with Vittone and his coven family if it is so desired,” Nikolai said. “I have reached out to him to ask about the situation with the Gallo cousins, as well as the rest of Conti’s coven. They are not in agreement with Conti and are most willing to help with the situation if so desired.”

“What exactly does that mean?” Atticus asked.

It was Master Ambrosius who answered. “It means that if we accept help from Vincent, we the council will be in cahoots with the Sicilian mafia. We will be going against everything we are here for.”

“Perhaps we should hold off on this meeting until after this situation can be discussed in greater detail, and we can make a more informed decision,” Master Edison said. He moved over to the wall where Master Ambrosius was standing, and I sworethat the two had a conversation without actually saying a word. If they weren’t mated to alphas, I would be under the impression that they had something going. In reality, they were simply good friends, although their friendship was one of only a few years’ time.

Master Edison suddenly turned and then walked out of the room with Master Ambrosius and Nikolai following. That left the rest of us in the conference room wondering what to do. Atticus was the first to stand.

“Well, back to work for us, I guess. Apparently, they have things they need to discuss before having the rest of the meeting.”

“Who wants to bet that we end up in cahoots with Master Nikolai’s contact?” Benjamin asked.

“Oh, we’re definitely going to end up working with the mafia on this case. Possibly future ones as well,” Atticus answered.

I shrugged and shook my head at their laughter. When the others just stared at me, I sighed. “I know several bratva family heads, but I wouldn’t trust a single one of them with my own life, let alone those of the council. If Nikolai believes Vincent can be trusted with the omegas and carriers of the council, then so be it.”

“Why do you say that?” Benjamin asked. I could scent his concern and remembered he had an omega for a mate as well as two young children.

I stared at my teammate for a moment before shaking my head once more. “If there is any type of working together, that means the council will trust them to some extent, no?” I glanced at the others. “Then that bit of trust will eventually lead to them either being here at the council and near everyone’s mates and children or, at the very least, in closer proximity. Take that to mean what you will, but it will mean that they eventually will have access to those the council has access to.”

“You believe they will harm our mates and children?” Atticus asked.

I shrugged again. “I cannot speak specifically for whoever Vincent Vittone is or his character. He is mafia. Like the bratva, they are all about their own power, their own needs. Perhaps he is an exception to the stereotype.”

I had questions that I knew I wouldn’t find answers to here, so I left the conference room. Instead of heading toward the office I shared with the others of my team, I went to my dedushka’s office. It wasn’t my dedushka that I wished to speak to though. I was wanting to talk with my yéye.

I found him exactly where expected: on the couch in Dedushka’s office.

“Dimitri. How are you this morning? I thought you had a meeting regarding your next assignment?”

I nodded. “Ja.” Yéye stared at me, and without even knowing why I was here, he seemed to know. This was why I came to him and not his mate. I loved both equally, but it had always been Yéye that I had gone to when I needed advice or simply to talk about things.

“What is it that has you…” He paused a moment, seemed to study me, and then nodded. “You are concerned. Tell me why.”

I sighed. “You will know soon enough, I’m sure, but it has to do with the assignment. There is a Nikolai. He has a connection—Vincent. Vincent is not a good man.”

Yéye’s smile was slow to form but was there all the same. “You do not know this Vincent, correct?”

I shook my head. “Only his name and that he is from Sicily. It is apparent that Master Ambrosius at least knows of him though.”

“Just because someone is connected to something doesn’t necessarily identify who they are. Until you meet this person, you cannot fully understand who he is or why he’s the way he is.”

“Ja, but he is head of his family. It is like asking if I would trust Alexsey Volkov.”

Yéye chuckled. “It’s like that, is it?” I nodded. “Then I suggest you think about what it is that you’re doing. If you can no longer support where the council is going, then you should reconsider your position here. There is absolutely no shame if you were to leave the enforcers. It’s not for everyone, and those that join don’t always stay.”

I shook my head again. “Nyet. I am not quitting. I simply am conflicted. I know the council is doing what they feel is necessary, but I do not agree with the method.”

Yéye appeared to be contemplating his answer. “If you wish to remain an enforcer but don’t agree with the mission, you can ask to be assigned elsewhere, can you not?”

I could, and we both knew it. “Will that not make Dedushka look bad? I do not wish to bring shame to this family in any way.”

Yéye sighed. “There is no shame in having morals. If you truly believe the council isn’t making the best choices in this situation, you should ask for a different assignment.”

I was torn. I had never asked for a different assignment. In fact, I had been on too few when I thought about what I had expected when joining the council as an enforcer. I had expected to be in Montana very little with the way I had been led to believe the council was so short with regards to enforcers. However, I’d only been on two assignments. It was a bit frustrating when there were others that were always out, and I was once more left behind.

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