Page 210 of Silenced

And you heard it here first, boys and girls, Çela, the leader of the Albanian Mob in Kentucky, is officially no longer on this mortal coil.

Rumors abound in Lexington of the circumstances behind his death, but until the autopsy is completed, we won’t know for certain.

It’s clear that this time, Çela lost the war.

I’ll be watching to see if Adrianu Kadare finds his place at the top of the tree or if someone steals it from him.

If Kadaredoestake over, then Kentucky, you’re not ready for what’s about to hit you.

That’s a promise.

59

TEXT CHAT

Nikolai: Was that you?

Troy: :)

Nikolai: How’s it feel to be free of him?

Troy: Better than you can even imagine.

Nikolai: You want Kadare as a leader?

Troy: I don’t care. Feel free to meddle…

Nikolai: I will. But you still owe me a token.

Troy: I don’t forget my favors.

Nikolai: Until we talk again…

Troy: Until then.

60

TEXT CHAT

Ilya: Did he go through with it?

Dmitri: Da.

Dmitri: He’s off the market for real.

Ilya: All the pussies will cry.

Ilya: Never thought I’d see the day that the great Nikolai Veles would get hitched.

Dmitri: If you say so.

Dmitri: Why are you messaging me anyway?

Ilya: We’re family, aren’t we?

Dmitri: My family’s in the States.

Ilya: Don’t burn bridges, kid. Not when your side of the world could go up in flames tomorrow.

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