Page 11 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

His men readied themselves at Mikko’s words, ready for his next signal, but for now, they waited. Stoic and trained like rogue soldiers, their menacing silhouettes were cut from the shadows themselves. To some, using manpower to accomplish his goals was weak, but not to him.

It was efficient.

And it keeps me from turning into my father completely.

Ivan’s perspiration dripped down his temple, his struggles and nerves visible on his glistening skin. The promise of suspense gave Mikko a feeling of authority.

“Father always warned me against those who became money hungry, although I suppose he should’ve taken his own advice,” Mikko broke the tense moment, ice coating every word. “And to think, I was going to let these transgressions slide…until your carelessness bled out onto the public.”

The chair squeaked as Ivan wiggled. Heknew.

“Care to explain why journalists are gnawing on the clues you’re throwing at them like bones?”

Cristiano took that moment to throw a printed copy of the article Mikko found at Ivan.

More fidgeting like a goddamn rat.

He knew Ivan couldn’t tell him with the tape over his mouth, but he didn’t care. Mikko wanted to watch the man struggle. After a few more seconds of watching the man writhe under the light, Mikko looked at Cristiano, motioning for him to remove the tape.

And he did—harshly.

Mikko smiled at the noise erupting out of the bound man. Pain wasthe ultimate sovereignty, a steady constant throughout life no matter how hard one tried to avoid it. It was always there, its blistering kiss brushing across the fragile surface of one’s body—one’s heart.

“Persistence is as much a virtue as patience, son.”The words slithered across his skull, his father’s voice inciting the ever constant ache across the scarred flesh of his left hand. Memories from another time flared in the back of his mind.

Now isnotthe time.

Cristiano slipped into view before walking behind Ivan. Roughly, he grasped the man’s thinning hair, tugging his head back. “Enough screamin’, my boss has a question for ya.”

The men’s actions reinforced the discomfort Ivan was feeling, but he still spoke. “You know I don’t have the money.” A shaky inhale. “I need more time!”

“Ihavegiven you more time, and you’ve done nothing with it. Except rack up an even larger debt to meanddraw unwanted attention. You know how much the paparazzi are frowned upon, Ivan.”

“And you know how they are, like wolves circling their prey.” Ivan’s cheeks reddened as he spoke, bruised skin mottled.

Mikko smiled, and it didn’t reach his eyes. “Wolves are known for finding the weak link.”

“Your father was never like this,” Ivan spat, a small amount of blood tinged spittle flew out of his mouth, landing somewhere on his pants. “He realized he couldn’t command every piece of his city, butyou…you’ve got a chip on your shoulder.”

Mikko’s will, which was already bending from the stress of the day, broke at those words. “You’re right, my fatherburiedthose he couldn’t command, Ivan.”

Ivan’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Mikko continued. “God, I’m glad my father isn’t here. All this talkof him after he’s been dead for six years would inflate his already huge ego.” Mikko paced the concrete floor in front of Ivan. “While I knew change would be slow within this line of work, your ability to ass kiss this long is impressive.”

Red clouded Mikko’s vision, thoughts of the woman at the bar gone for now. How many times did he have to tell people he didn’twantto do things the way his father did. Little did they know, it was because it was his last form of rebellion. A sickeningly sweet action he hoped made his father roll over in his grave.

Aloud, he said, “Though, if you’re so keen on it, I can ensure you can become his neighbor in short enough order.”

Behind him, Cristiano snorted before mumbling something sounding suspiciously like, “Same day delivery, even.”

Ivan paled slightly at the threat, but pushed on, “If speaking the truth paints me in the wrong light, then so be it. Your father would’ve understood; he knew what it took to run a business—”

“Ah yes, of course, because you know how to run a businessso well.”The predicament Ivan found himself in showcased his own poor business endeavors all on their own.

“At least I’m loyal,” he panted. “The same can’t be said about the rest of you. You’re a watered down version of him; you’ll always be overshadowed by Alek no matter how hard you try,malen’kiy yagnenok.”

Little lamb.