Page 41 of Kings of Cruelty

I get up and gather my books. “Yeah. Let’s go.” It’s my turn to kiss his cheek, and I lead him to the nearby computer lab. “Try not to get into trouble, yeah? I’d hate to have to be the one to spank you over the bathroom counter.”

ELEVEN

Konstantin

I fucking hate Andronov.

Listening to him on the phone makes my jaw tense, and if he were in the room with me, I wouldn’t be able to pretend to be polite. He prattles on about the “stock” he’s got all ready and willing to hop on a plane to New Bristol. America! The land of freedom and opportunities, and where young, naive women get their dreams destroyed.

I shouldn’t care. They were the ones dumb enough to sign up for such an obvious scam. But it leaves a bad taste in my mouth regardless, and even if I didn’t have irrational moral qualms, I’d still hate Andronov and his condescending tone.

“Let me know when and where the cargo will be,” I tell him with barely concealed annoyance, before hanging up on him. I don’t know why Petrov is so eager to get into this line of business.

I probably should meet with Pavone to discuss this. The Pavone family runs most of the flesh trade in the city, and I don’t want to step on any toes.

The other thing I need to do… I sigh and sit down on the couch again, opening a small notebook. I’ve written in cypher,a mixture of Cyrillic and Latin letters, with a code only I know. I’m writing down all my suspicions on possible leaks within the group.

Not leaks to the FBI or local police. No, I need to know which of the men are still directly reporting to Petrov, and which of them are reporting to my father.

I wouldn’t be able to do anything about them, but I’d know how to direct the flow of information.

It all gets derailed though, because my mind keeps going back to the new line of business we’re about to enter. Where the fuck will we keep these people? How do we line up buyers, and how do I ensure none of them blab to the authorities?

I’ll probably need to find more contacts with the New Bristol police and more people to bribe.

My frustration grows, and I send quick texts to Nikolai and Yura to come to my office. I need to tell them about this so they can get started on all the groundwork.

Nikolai arrives first, whistling cheerfully as he enters the room. The relaxed demeanor dissipates when he sees me, though, and he eyes me warily. “Uh oh. What’s wrong?” he asks. He starts to close the door, but Yura is on his heels.

I hear Yura say something to the guard on duty—Stepan—about his new shoes.

“Yura!” I bark, annoyed by the delay.

Yura snaps to attention and waves to Stepan before closing the door behind him. “Sorry, Kotya,” he mumbles.

I shake my head. “If I tell you to come over immediately, I meanimmediately. Don’t fucking dawdle.”

Yura scowls at me and says, “Yes, Boss.”

Nikolai’s eyebrows have shot up, but he echoes, “Yeah. Okay.” He heads to the couch to sit down, then looks back at me. “What has your panties in a twist?”

“I contacted Andronov.” I state. “This is not up for debate. We will do this. I need you to start looking into a suitable storage location. I’ve got a few potential buyers lined up already, but we’ll need to expand the network if we want to make this all worth it.”

Nikolai stares at me. “What the fuck, Konstantin?” he asks. “You’re getting us involved in the flesh trade without even talking to us about it? And you expect us to fall in line without a word?”

“Yes,” I say, folding my arms in front of myself. “I expect my subordinates to do as I say, and not undermine my leadership of the group.” I look between Yuri and Nikolai. “Unless you think I’m not fit to lead?”

Nikolai’s expression turns into an ugly glower. “It isn’t that, and you know it,” he snaps. “I sort of doubt Giulio fucking Pavone is going to let us waltz in and steal business, for one, and two… Did you forget what me and Yuri said? Sierra would rather castrate us than go along with this. I thought you wanted her on our side.”

Anger surges through me. “I am not going to base my business decision on the opinion of a fucking woman,” I growl, although my heart hammers as I say it.

She’s not simply a woman.

She’s smart, and beautiful, and carrying my child.

Yura bursts out laughing. “If she’s just some woman, why the fuck did you brand her? Without me present? You were so sure of her, you didn’t even ask me.”

Nikolai frowns at that, but he says, “Yura’s right. And like I said… Pavone. Or did you forget that we aren’t the only players in town? I can’t believe you’re acting like this because?—”

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