Page 27 of Heritage of Fire

“Mr. Buscetta.” I extend my hand, and he takes it. I grip him, tight and unforgiving, the smug expression on his face during my wedding lingering in the back of my mind.

I move to stand beside Luka who has taken a seat behind his desk. Keeping my hands folded in front of me, I wait for him to begin our meeting.

“Mr. Buscetta, as you are familiar with, we are investigating a group known as EV. We are under the assumption that they are a private club, one which Senator Hope belongs to, and we haverecently confirmed Mr. Ravensburger is also a member.”

Salvatore snorts at Ravensbuger’s name, and a modicum of respect for my new father-in-law takes root.

“Nikolai and several of my men have tried to gain access, but weren’t afforded entry. As you know, Senator Hope has slighted the Bratva with his connection to Antonio. I would like to know what I’m up against.”

Salvatore listens silently to everything Luka is saying, expression carefully blank. When Luka finishes, Sal raises his hand, and opens it, as if waiting for something.

His guard reaches into his jacket and pulls out a file folder. He tosses it over to Luka, who opens it. Inside are photos of Antonio with Senator Hope, the same ones we found at Antonio’s place.

“We received these shortly after Antonio’s death. Antonio believed he was working with Senator Hope, as we already know, but EV was using the Cosa Nostra’s resources for their own agenda. I knew once the Cosa Nostra was in EV’s sights we’d need an alliance,” Buscetta says.

I stiffen. The marriage.Mymarriage. When he approached the Bratva about an alliance, Salvatore claimed he wanted to put the fighting aside for the future of our organizations, but the more he talks, the more I’m starting to understand what his true motives were. He wanted manpower.

“EV is a group of some of the most powerful men across this country. They aren’t motivated by family, loyalty, or blood ties. Wealthy businessmen, politicians, and even large drug kingpins are members.”

“Members of what, exactly? And why didn’t we get this information earlier?” I snap, patience wearing thin. I’m undermining Luka by speaking out of turn, but I’m pissed. Luka says nothing, allowing my questions to hang in the air.

“EV, also known as Echelon Vanguard. A club for the powerful and wealthy to play with all this depraved world has to offer. Selfish desires motivate them. They have locations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. They want power, Mr. Morozov, and they have their sights set on the Cosa Nostra and Bratva.”

His words whirl around in my mind. A secret society of men playing with money and getting off on power.I should kill Senator Hope, I think as Salvatore hands an iPad to Luka.

The first photo is of a young girl, hands and feet bound, eyes open and unseeing. EV is carved into her chest. My stomach churns, and Luka swipes. Photo after photo of dead women and men, all with EV carved into their chests.

“What the hell?” I say.

“These were favors, paid-for hits, or playtime for EV members,” Salvatore says, disgust outlining his face. “They operate under no rules. Trafficking women, distributing drugs, and enjoying their secure club.”

“They’re inmycity,” Luka snarls, standing and going to the window that looks out over New York. The skyline is tinged with burnt oranges and mild yellows, signaling the sunset.

Salvatore smirks. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

“Why you here?” Ilena’s thick accent stops me as I’m coming out of Luka’s elevator. “Go home to your wife.” She smacks the back of my head and Kate lets out a laugh from the kitchen island. I wink at Luka’s Russian housekeeper and head into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water from the fridge.

I don’t want to go home. The random woman in my apartment is messing with my routine, her feminine scent spreading over the space.

“She has a point,” Kate chimes in, nursing an espresso. “Want one?” She holds up her cup.

I wrinkle my nose in disgust. How people drink that shit is beyond me. I’ve never been one for caffeine. If I need to wake up, a good workout does the trick.

“No, thanks, just passing through.”

I throw a daggered look at Ilena, who flicks her hand at me.

“How is Luna doing?” Kate sips her drink, brows rising, and I shrug. She snorts midsip, and several coughs fly out of her mouth. Recovering, she continues on, “Nik, she’s in a strange place, surrounded by men, and alone. Are you serious right now?”

I purse my lips in thought—maybe I could at least help her find something to occupy her time.

“Think Luka would hire her?” I laugh as I say it, because I doubt he would.

Kate narrows her eyes at me, but I ignore her. Popping open my water, I take a sip and walk to the stove to peek at what Ilena’s cooking for dinner. Looks like herb roasted chicken. My stomach growls at the same time my phone rings. I snatch a rolloff the baking sheet, and Ilena yells at me while she sets forks and spoons on the table.

“Yeah,” I say, mouth full of buttery sourdough. Delicious.

“Mr. Balakin, there’s a fire in your apartment.”

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