Page 21 of Deadly Hands

“You gotanotherbank in your pocket, Alex?” Andrey’s voice cut through Nikon’s thoughts, sharp with something that might have been envy. His younger brother adjusted his thousand-dollar sneakers, a nervous tick he’d never managed to shake. “Tell me, does your newest bank manager friend know what really flows through those real estate developments of yours? Though I suppose we wouldn’t know - you seem too ashamed to be seen with your own brothers these days.”

The barb struck its target. Alexei’s diplomatic mask cracked, just for a moment. “We have the same face, you idiot. I’mseenwith you whether I like it or not.”

The harsh words cut deep, pointing out a painful truth - these identical twins led very different lives. Alexei cleaned dirty money through his business deals, while Andrey’s path was marked by violence and death.

“Enough.” Grigorii didn’t raise his voice. He never had to. The same tone that had settled squabbling ten-year-old twins and a rebellious teenage Nikon, still commanded instant obedience today. Grigorii’s hands wrapped around his glass, the vodka catching the construction lamp light through the tumbler.

Nikon took his seat, pausing a moment before measuring each word carefully. This was the moment he’d been preparing for since Grigorii’s text. “Our poker room operation picked up some interesting intelligence about the port authority last week.”

The muscles in Grigorii’s jaw tightened. His oldest brother already knew where this was going.

“Detective Wallis got chatty at one of the high-stakes tables. Had quite a lot to say about upcoming customs inspections.” Nikon kept his tone neutral, professional. “He also had an interesting list of officials under internal affairs investigation.”

Grigorii’s knuckles whitened around his glass. “And which one of your people got this info out of Wallis?” Grigorii released his glass, spreading his hands on the table. “You know how we operate, Nikon. I already have my own trusted contacts at the port authority. Besides, each of us manages our own territory - your gambling rooms, Alexei’s real estate, Andrey’s distribution networks. We don’t cross those lines without very good reason.”

Nikon met his brother’s gaze. “You think I don’t know that? Every contact you’ve built, every official you’ve turned - they’re the foundation of our shipping operations.”

“This is what our whole business is built on,” Grigorii corrected, his voice carrying the weight of decades spent protecting their family’s interests. “Each brother runs his ownpart of the business. We all agreed to this rule. It’s how we’ve stayed alive and together as a family.”

Nikon clenched his teeth at what his brother really meant. Reuben was not family. They weren’t sure if they could trust him yet. And now he was collecting information that could affect Grigorii’s smuggling business.

Nikon’s oldest brother had been protecting this family too long to trust information from channels he didn’t control.

Shipping containers from Eastern Europe. Weapons that could make or break Grigorii’s expansion plans. The stakes were too high for blind faith in clever reads at a poker table.

Andrey shifted forward, designer jacket rustling. “Speaking of your poker rooms...” His lip curled. “Let’s talk about the pretty boy who’s suddenly handling sensitive information.”

Andrey spoke with the same bitterness he’d shown when Reuben first showed up. This wasn’t just about that stolen cash anymore - it was about authority being undermined, about Andrey’s portion of the empire being used without his permission.

Nikon kept his expression neutral even as his chest tightened. “Reuben’s proven his value.”

“Has he?” Grigorii’s eyes never left Nikon’s face. “Or has he proven something else entirely?”

Nikon felt his neck grow hot with anger. Everyone knew he treated Reuben differently; giving him special treatment, keeping him safe, bending the rules. Nothing stayed secret from Grigorii for long. His big brother had heard all the whispers about this weakness in their family.

“Word is getting around. Everyone’s talking about how thegreatNikon Matvei looks at him.” Andrey’s sneer carried all the subtlety of a bullet to the chest. “Even the street soldiers are whispering about how you’re wrapped around some pretty boy’s finger- “

“You’re out of line.” Nikon’s words came out low, dangerous.

“Am I?” Andrey leaned back, spreading his arms. “Tell me, Nikon, when was the last time you let someone get this close so quickly? When was the last time you trusted information from someone who isn’t family?”

Alexei cleared his throat, always the mediator. “Perhaps we could consider a compromise.”

Three pairs of eyes turned to the younger twin. He straightened his already immaculate tie, a habit from boardroom negotiations.

“My newest development project could use some... creative financing.” His diplomatic smile didn’t reach his eyes. “And I have a particularly interesting bank manager who might be worth meeting. One of my contacts at the Bureau mentioned that this bank manager has been quite... cooperative with their investigations lately.”

Understanding dawned slowly. Alexei’s meaning was clear - a bank manager playing both sides would make the perfect trap.

“A test, then.” Grigorii nodded slowly, approval warming his stern features. “If Nikon’s man is playing us or wearing a wire, then him meeting with a known FBI informant...”

“We’ll catch him right away if he’s lying.” Alexei’s smile turned cruel. “And if he really is on our side? Even better. Once he helps us clean the money, he’ll be officially complicit in the family business. He can’t turn back after that.”

The elegant brutality of it was pure Alexei. A test that either proved loyalty or ensured silence - permanently.

Nikon’s fingers twitched toward his glass. The thought of Reuben in danger made his chest tight, but the strategy was sound. More than that - it was necessary. He couldn’t keep fighting this war on two fronts, couldn’t keep defending Reuben to his family while still harboring his own doubts.

“Two weeks.” Grigorii’s voice cut through Nikon’s internal struggle. “Alexei, get your bank manager in position. We need this done within two weeks.”

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