Page 50 of Brooklyn Bratva

Almost as soon as I opened the email, a pop-up on the screen alerted me to a Skype call coming through from Timoshenko and Becca took my hand, and dragged me inside.

“You’ve got to talk to him Ivan.”

I rolled my eyes, but accepted the call all the same, walking fast towards the study.

But when I opened the window, it wasn’t Timoshenko on the other side.

“Valentin.” My brow notched up a fraction, and I schooled my face to return to neutral.

“Ivan.” The younger man smiled, and panned the camera angle around to all four corners of the empty room. “We have privacy from the old man. Rest assured. We can speak freely.”

My brow furrowed, aware of the breach in protocol and the significance of it. But I liked him. He seemed to have a good business head on his shoulders, and we all needed that. “Okay. I’m listening.”

“The word is, deals with our contacts are being thrown over.”

I nodded. “We have an issue. Grigori’s pushing for a return to the old days. He’s trying to start a bloodbath to prove he’s got the big balls.”

Valentin raised a brow. “How messy is it?”

On the other side of the screen, Becca piped up. “They tried to kill him. It’s pretty messy.”

“Who’s that?”

I scowled at Becca. “Not your concern. She’s trustworthy.”

Valentin’s smile picked up. “You misunderstand. I’m pleased for you. All these years I hear you live the life of a monk. It is time you had someone to take care of you, Ivan. You are very valuable to us. To me. I want to see you have the life you deserve.”

“That’s wonderful.” I didn’t entirely believe him, and I was sensible not to. He was on his way up, and I had a feeling he’d cut as many throats as he needed to, to get there. Any favors he was prepared to offer were going to come at a cost. “Can we stick to the point?”

“Of course. You were updating me on the situation.”

“Grigori’s been using newcomers. Undercutting us. They’re hungry for a quick profit, and they don’t care about shitting in their own backyard as long as they get paid, and Grigori is willing to pay.”

“I think now is the time to get serious with the Ukranians, Ivan.”

“I agree.”

“My friend Max will help you. He is a very serious man. Very professional.”

I nodded, understanding exactly what Valentin meant. I slumped down in the desk chair. Even on an encrypted line, it was foolishness itself to say the word hitman out loud.

“Ivan’s professional,” Becca piped up. Before I could stop her, she rounded to my side of the screen, pulling my arm down to bring herself into view of the camera. She plopped herself down in my lap, moving so that she could peer at my boss, arms folded across her chest, face as stubborn as ever.

Valentin’s smile twitched in. “I like this woman, Ivan. I like her very much. My darling, of course he is. Ivan is the most professional of men. I would not be speaking to him if I did not think of him as one of the key members of our brotherhood. And in time, I hope he will be recognized for all that he’s done for us.”

“She’s not your anything. She’s mine. Don’t talk to her, at all.”

“As you wish, Ivan. Your family is our family, remember that. You are all under our roof.”

Becca’s eyes narrowed.

“Some roof. It’s kind of leaky. Ivan got shot, you know? I hope you have a proper doctor for him to see. Because he can’t carry on doing your work for you without one.”

Valentin’s brow twitched up. “Our roof is undergoing renovations. Soon it will be brand new. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s healing. She exaggerates.”

“I do not!”

“Becca.”

Valentin nodded shortly. “Our man will be with you tomorrow. He will ease the situation. I hope that you will be a good host to him.”

I gritted my teeth. “Of course.”

“Then it is settled. Good night Ivan and… friend.”

CHAPTER 27

Becca

As soon as the screen went silent again, I knew I was in trouble.

“You shouldn’t have done that.” Ivan set his phone down on the surface of the desk with a solid clunk, and I saw fury in his eyes.

“Why not?”

“These are not people you want to aggravate, Becca. This is not a little game.”

I hopped off his lap before he could grab me. “I know that.”

“But you think you can have a conversation with them? You think it’s a good idea to show your face.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Ivan, if they’re as powerful as you say they are then they already know everyone you care about. You’re in with them, so I’m in with them. That’s how it works. And I have a problem with them taking you for granted when you work so hard and take so many risks for them.”

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