Page 35 of Silenced

Misha: Da. It’s almost funny. He has no right to his seat as Pakhan, but because he’s treating the men fairly, he’s popular.

Misha: Plus, we just uncovered an interesting income stream that the old guard didn’t loop us in on. Good thing—fair wages come at a high price.

Me: Oh? What income stream?

Misha: Diamond smuggling via Atlantic fishing hauls.

Me: Fascinating. I might have use for that at some point.

Misha: You’ll have to speak with him.

That has me sighing.

Me: I’ll consider that repayment of the favor you owe me.

Misha: Fuck. You never make it easy, do you?

Me: Nyet.

Me: I’ve heard he’s spending time in Moskva?

Misha: Da. Trying to please the Krestniy Otets.

My top lip curls.

The Krestniy Otets is the head of the Bratva brotherhood. Pakhans lead individual brotherhoods. I, for example, reign over the Floridian branch. The Krestniy Otets sits above me in the hierarchy. Our current Krestniy Otets makes Aidan O’Donnelly Sr. look sane.

Me: How’s that going?

Misha: Poorly. The K.O. is pissed about Maxim’s power grab.

That has me grimacing.

Me: I warned Maxim.

Misha: Say, ‘I told you so,’ and you’ll never get in on this smuggling business.

Me: He needs to grow up. I’ve managed to rule over Miami for a decade without any mutiny, Misha. He should listen to me but taking my advice is too much for the big fucking baby.

Misha: He’s a dangerous one…

I grunt.

Me: Not if the K.O. decides to take his ass out. It’s easier to kill him than it is to work with him. Especially if he doesn’t drop the attitude.

Me: Even more so if he brings fucking communism to the lower ranks.

Podonok.

I rub my eyes at the thought.

There are many ways to be fair to the foot soldiers without pissing off the rest of the Bratva. I pay my men better than most, but I do it in different ways: bonuses, investment opportunities made on their behalf, gifts in gold bullion.

As always, my brother is a fucking headache by working to the beat of his own drum.

Me: Fuck off and don’t cause me any more work.

Misha: *salutes in Russian*

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