Page 29 of In the Grey of Dawn

“Colour me intrigued. What do you want to know?” he says, chuckling.

“Have you ever heard of a guy named Porter in ... um … in your fathers organisation?” I almost whisper the last words to him. I know he's in the Bratva. He obviously knows he's in the Bratva, but neither of us have ever said it out loud and it makes me a little nervous to admit it.

“My father's organisation? What are you referring to? My father has many businesses that I help him with.”

“You can't laugh if you're going to try and intimidate me, Dimi. You know what I'm talking about,” I sass. Reminding myself that this is just my friend I'm talking to and not the big mafia man, gathering as much courage as I can, I whisper, “Have you ever heard of a man named Porter in the ... in the mafia?”

“We have Pauls, Petr and Pers. I think there is even a new kid called Pavel, but no Porters that I've heard of, at least within this branch of theorganisation.”

He can't help but burst out laughing as he saysorganisationand it is so annoying knowing he's laughing over my discomfort.

“Stop laughing at me,” I groan. “The guy I'm with … or am seeing … possibly dating, anyways apparently it's some big secret that he used to be in themafia, and seeing you’re in themafia, I thought I’d ask my friend who's currently being a dickhead, if he had ever heard of him,” I practically whisper yell into the phone

“Wait, is this the basement guy? Porter? He's saying he was in the mafia?”

“No, he's not saying it, but there is a rumour he was in it so I wanted to check with you. Wait, he had a nickname … the death maker? No, it was the Devil's widow, I think. The sheer need that grown men have trying to make stupid nicknames for themselves is just ridiculo—.”

“Charlie.” He snaps. The laughter all but a distant memory in his voice. “I need you to listen to me, was his nickname The Widowmaker?”

“Ooh, yes. That's it, The Widowmaker. Have you heard of him?”

“Are you absolutely sure?” His voice direct with an air of authority.

“Dimi, what's going on? Yes, I'm sure that's the name. Do you know who he is?” I say, starting to get frustrated at this sudden change in direction.

“I need to check something out but I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I'm sorry I can't tell you more but I promise you're safe.”

“Dimi, wait! What are you not telling me here?”

“I have to go, you’re safe. I'll see you soon.”

I don't even get the chance to ask him what he means by that before the dial tone is buzzing in my ear, and he's hung up.

I’m safe?

He’ll see me soon?

What the fuck just happened? A light hearted, fun conversation with my friend has suddenly turned into cryptic messages with confusing undertones. What does he mean I’m safe?

Does he mean from Porter?

I've interacted with a lot of men over the years and while I understand Porter has an air about him, I've never once felt he would hurt me.

Ever.

I think he's a little old fashioned in that way. Also, I'm still not convinced we're all talking about the same person. Sure this Widowmaker obviously has some street cred, especially if Dimi is acting strange over it but why would someone with that sort of reputation be in Hidden Valley of all places. Surely thereare more exotic locations to hide out if that's what he's even doing; and then why go to the trouble of opening a bar where you're constantly interacting with people. Logic suggests that you would become a recluse, not the other way around.

Bringing up the web browser on my phone I decide to finally do the obvious and search for him.

No one can escape the internet.

0.14 seconds. That's all the time needed for the search to complete and thousands of links to appear.

The Widowmaker Strikes Again

No New Developments in Widowmaker Case

Can Anyone StopVdovets

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