Page 5 of Deadly Legacy
“Coincidence isn’t a strategy I trust.” Reuben’s voice remained level, but Nikon caught the slight hitch in his breathing.
Nikon uncrossed his arms, the small movement drawing Reuben’s attention despite the ongoing discussion. Their eyes met briefly across the room.
I’m here.
The subtle nod from Reuben acknowledged the silent, assuring message. They’d come so far from the days when Nikon would have immediately taken control without consultation.
“Look at their recent acquisitions.” Alexei highlighted a pattern on the screen. “Aggressive minority stakeholder buyouts, targeted pressure on key decision-makers...”
Nikon ground his jaw. These weren’t just business tactics. They were moves he’d witnessed before in territorial disputes. They felt like the fingerprints of an old enemy.
Dmitrii.
“But what really caught my attention was this.” Alexei zoomed in on a financial statement, the soft hum of the projector filling the momentary silence. “They’ve been struggling for liquidity for the past three quarters.” He tapped the screen where a series of transactions stood out. “Yet suddenly, they’re flush with cash for this acquisition.”
Nikon’s gaze narrowed. A year ago, he would have already been on the phone, mobilizing contacts to trace the money, arrange surveillance, prepare contingencies that Reuben would never know about.
However, now he waited, watching how his partner handled the situation.
“Do we have any insight into their new funding sources?” Reuben tapped his pen against the polished table surface, the rhythm betraying his agitation even as his face remained composed.
Alexei exchanged a quick glance with Nikon—a flash of communication between brothers that required no words.
“Nothing concrete yet.” Alexei’s fingers danced across his tablet. “But the way they’re spending this new money looks familiar—a pattern we’ve seen before. Just in a... different industry.”
Reuben’s eyes found Nikon’s again, this time with a question. Nikon gave a barely perceptible shrug.
Not here. Later.
“Let’s close for now.” Reuben straightened the already-perfect stack of papers before him. “I want detailed profiles on every board member at Hoyt Investment by tomorrow. Focus on potential pressure points, recent financial changes, unusual travel patterns.”
The team dispersed, leaving Reuben, Nikon, and Alexei alone. The moment the door closed with a soft click, Reuben’s shoulders dropped a fraction, his hand reaching up to loosen his tie.
“You recognized something during the presentation,” Reuben’s gaze fixed on Nikon, missing nothing. His tone was conversational as he glanced between the brothers. “I saw that look you two exchanged when Alexei mentioned the funding sources.”
Nikon pushed away from the wall, crossing the room in measured strides.
“Not here.” He glanced at the glass-walled corridor where staff members moved about their day. “Let’s talk somewhere private.”
“And that’s my cue to leave.” Alexei gathered his tablet and tapped a security code that darkened the screens. He glanced between Reuben and Nikon. “I’ll dig deeper into their new funding sources while you two talk. There’s something definitely not right about the timing.”
Minutes later, Nikon found Reuben alone on the office balcony. The spring air whipped Reuben’s dark blond hair as hegripped the railing, his knuckles white against the cool metal. Nikon approached but stopped short, giving Reuben space while still making his presence felt.
The city sprawled below them, afternoon traffic winding through downtown streets. From this height, their dual empires lay visible; Nikon’s gambling territory in the entertainment district, and Reuben’s growing financial influence amid these gleaming towers.
Different worlds that had somehow fused into one.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.” Nikon’s voice emerged softer than most would ever hear from him, reserved for these private moments.
Reuben didn’t turn. “I’m thinking that my father hasn’t changed. He disowned me, blacklisted me from every financial institution that would listen, and now that I’ve built something without him, he wants to tear it down.”
“Is that what you believe this is about?”
“No.” Reuben finally turned to face him, hesitating before adding, “Yes? I don’t know.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair as his green eyes brightened with focus. “But this feels exactly like my father; finding the perfect moment to undermine me, trying to prove that I can’t succeed without him. He’s always been good at that.
Nikon stepped closer, resting his palm on Reuben’s lower back, thumb brushing a slow circle through the fine fabric of his suit. The tense muscles beneath his touch gradually relaxed.
“I could make the problem disappear.” Nikon felt Reuben lean into his touch, their shoulders pressing together.
