Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 103656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
My gaze strays to the third in the circle. He looks as old as the rest, but he’s leaner and has a somewhat sleazy businessman appearance and an erect posture that looks impenetrable.
“That, my friend, is Mikhail, the second of the four kings. He’s stuck in the eighties, has the worst temper of the three, and is prone to be a wild card, depending on his mood. I honestly think the only reason he’s still in power is because of his closeness to the Pakhan and some decent offspring who know how to handle business. He certainly doesn’t most of the time.”
“So, in short, if Kirill gets the approval of Igor and Mikhail, he’ll take his father’s place?”
“Not really. See the ones he’s standing with?” He diverts my attention back to Kirill, and a frisson goes through me just like every time I look at him.
As a matter of fact, Kirill has been with those two men more than any of the other guests. One looks as frightening as Viktor. Only, he has a beard, a massive muscular body, and tattoos swirling up his neck like snakes.
The other man more or less shares Kirill’s body type, though he’s not as classically handsome. He has high cheekbones and a mysterious look in his gray eyes.
“Yeah,” I tell Maksim. “I suppose they’re also important in the great scheme of things?”
“How did you figure that out?”
“Boss wouldn’t have given them so much of his time if that weren’t the case.”
“That is correct. Those two hold even more importance than the four kings.” Maksim grins. “The bearded one is Vladimir, who’s a few years older than Boss. He’s a stoic authoritarian, an absolute nightmare if you break any rules around him, and might as well be mistaken for a stone in a person’s body. He’s also the Pakhan’s right hand. The one who goes to war and makes sure the Bratva remains strong.”
“I see. How about the other one?”
“Now, he…he’s the actual wild card. His name is Adrian. He’s the strategist of the Bratva and knows everything about everyone—the Pakhan included. And when I say everything, I mean every single fucking thing. It’s impossible to cross him and even more futile to go against him.”
“So the best thing to do is get him on your side.”
“In theory, yes. In reality, however, he’s on no one’s side but his own and only holds loyalty to the Bratva. He’s strong enough to only answer to the Pakhan and be considered the strategist. He’s a bit of a recluse, though, and doesn’t show up as much as everyone else.”
My gaze falls on the men again. While Vladimir and Kirill talk, this Adrian, who I’m starting to think could be the key to Kirill’s inauguration, remains silent, composed, and detached. He barely drinks from his flute, only offers nods occasionally, and doesn’t seem to be disturbed by any presence near him.
That is a dangerous man.
Maybe on the same level as Kirill.
I focus back on Maksim, needing more information to understand the current climate. “I assume Roman Morozov was one of those leaders, and now, one of his sons will take over?”
“You assumed right. Roman was the third of four kings. Boss already lost the internal family vote. Konstantin has Yulia’s vote and her family’s support.”
“Her family?”
“Bankers. Those suckers are richer than God and have the immorality of the devil.” Maksim clicks his tongue. “She was one of the reasons her husband rose in power so tremendously in the first place. She’s using that same method to support Konstantin.”
“But isn’t Kirill a member of their family, too?”
“Not one who brings in profit like his brother does. They don’t care what the name is as long as he’s profitable and is tolerated enough by Yulia to recommend him to her family, but…” He pauses. “And this is a big BUT. Boss can still rule without internal support. He just won’t be able to sleep soundly at night because of how hostile the environment in the house is. Every day will be a battle for his life.”
“How about…Karina? Does she get a vote?”
“Yes, she does, but she might have switched to team Konstantin. She used to be close with Boss, but that was before he left for Russia. Now, she has joined her brother and mother's anti-fan club.”
I can see that. In fact, I still remember the rage and hostility in her eyes when she stabbed him. She didn’t look like someone who’s on Kirill’s side.
Hell, she’s been doing the ‘I’ll slice your throat’ motion whenever she sees me.
But there’s a weird shift in her expression whenever he’s around. Maybe if I get to the root of the problem…
That thought trails off when Maksim says, “None of this matters if he somehow gets the votes at the next general meeting. Sergei, Vladimir, Adrian, and the three kings, Igor, Mikhail, and Damien, all get to decide whether they will welcome Konstantin or Boss in their midst. Someone from the business front of the Bratva might get a vote, too.”