Page 120 of Wicked Arrangement

After sitting in silent thought for a moment, I get up to leave. “I’m not a religious man, but if prayers work, I’m praying for you buddy,” I say softly as I close the door.

I decide to go speak to Thomas, to tell him the news and thank him for his help. One of his men informs me he is waiting for me on the terrace with an old acquaintance and business partner of mine, a Polish Mafia boss, Filip Nowak.

They both look up as I approach. “How is he?” Gillihan asks, seeming genuinely concerned.

“Still in critical condition, but Artem’s a tough bastard, if anyone can survive this it’s him.”

“Anything he needs, just let me know,” Gillihan offers.

“Thank you. I will.”

“I believe you and Filip know each other?” Thomas asks gesturing to the other man.

“We do. It’s good to see you again old friend,” I say, striding over to shake his hand.

“And you. Although I wish it were under better circumstances.”

Filip has aged a little since we last saw each other, a little more gray around the temples, but he’s still as suave as ever. Back in the day, we used to do very well together with the ladies. Filip may not be as tall or muscular as many Mafia Dons, but he’s deadlier than he looks. Women would fall for his good looks, easy charm, and piercing blue eyes. He taught me how to charm anyone. That brute brooding strength and violence aren’t the only ways to get results. With women or business. I hope his presence here means I have his support and isn’t just a mere coincidence.

“What brings you Stateside?” I ask.

“Gillihan called me. He told me about that bastard traitor uncle of yours and I wanted to offer my support in reclaiming what’s yours. I think we can all agree that Innokentiy and Bogdan Sharkozi are a dangerous and reckless pair that could fuck up everything we’ve built with their arrogance and greed. I wasn’t Roman Sharkozi’s biggest fan, but the man still had some integrity. Rumor has it he didn’t want Roman to take over, he knew he’d be the death of that family,” Filip explains.

“Thank you for your support, friend, it won’t be forgotten,” I reply, feeling hopeful that, despite being outnumbered, all is not yet lost.

“Please, sit and have a drink, we have a lot to discuss,” Thomas says.

“You’re not wrong, we’re going to need to come up with one hell of a plan. But first, I need to know, have you heard from Kim or David?”

Thomas looks unsurprised by my question. “Not personally. But Grace did. When she went to rescue them one of Sharkozi’s men got there first and took Kimberly.” Seeing my stricken face Thomas is quick to add, “Don’t worry. She’s a tough one you’ve got there, Yaroslav. She killed the fellow and escaped impressively fast. She and David are fine. However, we felt it would be safer for them not to stay with us, they’re in a safehouse with your brother-in-law. For obvious reasons, I don’t know its location.”

“You left them with Jackson?” I growl. “Although Jackson is family, I hardly see how a mild-mannered businessman is the better alternative to keep them safe than a Mafia Don.”

Thomas looks at me curiously. “Well, color me impressed. It seems Jackson’s even better than I thought at maintaining his cover. I’d have thought you of all people would know about his past, especially since your brother did.”

Now it’s my turn to look baffled. “What?”

“Jackson’s far from mild-mannered. He’s government special ops, from a long line of them. No offense, but he’s probably more deadly even than any of us, and all sanctioned by the government itself. Though of course, they’d deny that, should he ever get caught out. Heck, what these guys do on behalf of the US and UK governments makes us seem like teddy bears,” he says with a chuckle.

I can’t believe I never looked into Jackson. I was so quick to give up on my sister, to forget about her, I never bothered to dig deeper. I think again of all the years I missed out on with Marta, all because of Innokentiy. The second I realized how little she trusted him and that he caused our estrangement I should have known he wasn’t to be trusted, that he was the traitor. No wonder Jackson blames me for Marta’s death, he could have helped. If I’d bothered to listen to him, perhaps she’d still be alive. I realize I’ve also done the one thing I judge others for doing, underestimate my brother. He never trusted Innokentiy, and he knew about Jackson while I remained in the dark. I vow to never overlook his insights again.

I’m at a loss for words and a little humiliated to be shown up in front of them both this way. I’m not used to being on the back foot. Though that’s been happening more than I care for these days.

Thankfully, Thomas puts me out of my misery. “I wouldn’t worry about not knowing. It’s not common knowledge amongst the Mafia community, I only know because my father and Jackson’s father served together years ago. Even with our money and resources, we can’t know everything, especially not the inner workings of our government.”

I nod and change the subject, I’ll try to contact Kim and David straight afterward. “So, do we have any intel on Sharkozi and Innokentiy’s plans?”

This time, Felip is the one to answer my question. “We have intel that Sharkozi has a ship leaving from Charleston in three days. Since you’re both familiar with the area and have contacts there, I propose this is when we strike.”

“Agreed,” Thomas and I echo in unison.

***

A couple of hours later, our plan is set, and we end our meeting. I’m eager to try to get hold of Kim and David to let them know I’m alright. Thomas told me they have no way of getting in contact with them, and that it was agreed Kim and David would only update them at brief intervals. Given what had happened, Jackson had thought it better that no one know where they were staying. It could be days until they call.

But then a thought strikes me. Ever since Kim gave David the phone from Marta, he’s not let it out of his sight. I can’t imagine that he’d willingly have thrown it away as Thomas tells me they did with their main phones and since no one other than me, Kim, and David knew of its existence, he must still have it.

I just pray I can remember the number. Obviously, Innokentiy took my phone, so I’m using a burner Thomas gave to me. I think I know it, but the first number I try doesn’t connect, and the second one is wrong. The third time, the phone rings out without being answered. This is the last possible number it could be, it must be the right one. I can feel it. So, unperturbed, I try again.

---