Page 59 of Under Control

I lean against the wall and look up at the ceiling. “Shit.”

“Yes, I know. His son’s taking over operations of his business, and I think the boy’s going to be an asset. He’s clever and strong, like his father.”

I close my eyes and remember the fight. I remember Artemy’s truck backing into the Armenians. I remember Artemy himself coming out and saving hisPakhan, and dying in the process.

“He’ll be given all the honors we can. We’ll pay for his funeral and make sure his family is taken care of.”

“I’ll make sure it’s done.”

“His sacrifice must be honored, Anton.” I stare hard at my friend. “The others are going to think about Artemy. They’re going to need an example of what happens in death when a member of my Bratva does his duty.”

“I understand.” Anton glances back to the room. “You don’t think we’ll have trouble? War always tends to bring out the worst.”

“We’ll have trouble, but nothing serious. Honestly, I suspect half of them are relieved about the situation. They’re not happy about how it happened, but they all hate the Armenians as much as I do, and they’ll be more than willing to spill Armenian blood.”

“I’ll go see to Artemy’s arrangements.”

I grab his arm before he can walk away. “Send word down to Baltimore. Find any allies we can, anyone that hates the Brotherhood as much as we do. We don’t need them to fight, but we need eyes and ears in the city.”

“I’ll get it done.”

“We’re taking the fight to them. No more sitting back and letting events unfold.”

Anton nods sharply and walks away.

I watch him go, thinking of Artemy. The old bastard was a pain in my ass, but he was a good and loyal member of the Bratva. He didn’t always agree with all of my decisions, but he did what he was ordered to do, and he always wanted to do what was right, no matter what.

Now he was dead.

A fucking travesty. I can’t afford to lose good brigadiers, not right now. There isn’t a lot of wartime experience left in that room—so many of the men that came up with my father went through many years of peace.

They don’t know what it’s like to fight for their lives.

But they’re going to learn.

Chapter 21

Karine

Valentin’s quiet on the ride over to my mother’s house.

I’m not sure what he’s looking for right now. It was his idea to come meet my mother, even though I told him it was probably a bad idea. Still, he insisted, because he thinks that a husband should know his wife’s family, even if his wife’s family isn’t particularly fond of him.

I couldn’t really argue. I mean, what was I supposed to say?

Sorry, Valentin, my mom hates you because you’re just like her brother?Not exactly going to fly right now.

Which means I’m stuck feeling super uncomfortable as the car parks out front and Valentin gets out.

“I should warn you,” I say as we head up the stoop. I rack my brain for a nice way to say this. “Mom doesn’t exactly love, you know, guys in your profession.”

“I can’t say I’m surprised.” He pauses in front of the door and puts a hand on my arm. “I’m not here to upset your mother.”

“I know, it’s just that—” I look away, feeling uncomfortable. “She’s just got a bad experience of, you know, criminals.”

“Her brother is Aram Sarkissian. She ran from her home to get away from him. I’m not surprised.” He turns my chin back toward him. “It’s okay if your mother hates me. I didn’t marry her.”

“You married me.” I feel heat rise in my cheeks. “And now I’m kind of wondering what use I am to you. Since your whole plan with my uncle backfired.”

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