Page 134 of Silenced

“Got their asses arrested.”

“Why?”

“Because armed robbery will get them twenty-five-plus years in the clink.”

“Yeah, it’s getting to be you serve less fucking time for murder and more for theft,” he grumbles.

“Capitalism at its finest, my friend.”

His eyes gleam. “Do I get a cut of their takings if we steal it from them?”

“Less running costs and six percent, it’s all yours,” I demur, amused by his greed.

That’s Pavel for you.

He’s the first to give you the shirt off his back, but the first to hold out his hand for a loan when he loses at the tracks.

Again, he whistles. “Fuck letting them rot in a cell. Just let them goddamn die and I’ll buy that new Lambo I’ve had my eyes on.”

“You and your cars,” I chide. “You certain that’s the route you want to take?”

“I am. Make it hurt,da?”

“As much as they hurt you, Pavel,” I agree.

He graces me with a mock-salute. “It’s shit like this that makes you great to work for, Nikolai.”

“I’m a good boss. What can I say?”

His grin is weaker than I’d prefer, but it’s a relief to see. “I’ve got another month, maybe two in here, Pakhan.”

“I know, Pavel. You are safe. I made sure of it.”

He huffs. “Not worried about my safety. Not in here.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Men will be after my position.”

“Men?” I scoff. “What makes you think I’d listen?”

“I know for a fact Pavlivshev is interested—”

My brows furrow, not only at his concern but that the news of Pavlivshev’s death hasn’t made the rounds yet. I’d have thought Igor would have shared that update with him too.

“Pavel,” I console eventually, “my inner council consists of men I grew up with. Did Pavlivshev help me when I was on the streets?”

The older man shakes his head. “Nyet, Nikolai.”

“Your job is secure. Just worry about keeping your ass alive.”

“Myata says she’s close to getting your ring on her finger.”

My brows lift at Maria’s catty tone. Pavel, though grimacing, doesn’t have much choice about handing over his cell when his wife snatches it from him. “Please tell me that you have better taste than to marry that bitch, Nikolai?”

“Is this what happens behind my back? The women gossip about who I’ll marry?”

“It should be impossible how naive you are, but it’s not.” She squints at me. “You’re crazy if you don’t think that’s all the ovaries talk about.”

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