Page 7 of Broken
My cellphone began to chirp, bringing me from my thoughts. It was Nathaniel Mayhew, my lawyer who handled a lot of business for the organization. At the moment, he was currently handling my uncle’s case.
“Hello,” I spoke upon answering.
“Good morning, Liam,” he said.
Nathaniel had known me since I was an infant. He was one of the men my father had trusted most in the world. He was loyal to the Bratva, although he was not part of it. He simply did his best should anyone catch a case, to get them off. We hadn’t needed him until my uncle had caught a few bodies.
“Will you be there this morning?” Nathaniel asked.
“Yes, I was just about to have the driver bring me around. His meeting time is still noon, correct?”
“It is. He’s getting extremely antsy in there,” my lawyer’s voice seemed to waver.
“Well he placed himself there. Not much else we can do,” I replied. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Alright, in a few hours,” Nathaniel said as though to remind himself.
Nathaniel was getting on up in age. He was probably getting close to retiring but he’d never mention anything to either Val or me. When the time came for him to do so, I would miss him. However, he had been training his daughter Vivian and perhaps she would be her father’s successor.
I couldn’t dwell on the thought any longer as the car came around to the entrance, right on time. My driver had amazing timing if nothing else. He got out of the car; and came around to the other side to open the door for me.
Fall was definitely starting to settle into the state of Illinois. I had cracked the blacked-out windows of the car so that I could get some fresh air. During that time, I was able to see the foliage beginning to change colors as the car pressed onward to Cook County Detainment facility that was almost an hour outside of the city.
Watching the leaves made me think back to my childhood, when my mother would play with me outside. We would go on walks and I would collect every leaf possible only to bring it back to her and show her. Every single time, instead of being annoyed at my curiosity, she would act like it was the most amazing things she had ever seen. My mother had been a saint among regular human being. Her kindness and love unmatched; she would do anything for the ones she loves.
When the car lurched to a stop, my driver exited the front of the vehicle and came to open my door. He was a quiet man, who never said much. Which I did not need him to. I just needed him to drive and be loyal. Loyalty was required among the Bratva more than anything else.
My cellphone began to ring as soon as I stepped from the car. It was Nathaniel calling, probably to ask where I was. Pulling it from my pocket, I watched the screen light up with his name before answering .
"Hello," I replied in an even tone.
"I'm at the front. Are you almost here?" he asked.
"Yes, I just arrived. I'll be in momentarily,” I replied, and ended the call.
I looked to my driver, who was still standing by the passenger door. I told him to keep the car running because I didn't intend to be in the prison too long. He nodded, remaining silent and closed the car door.
Walking into the prison, I felt a shudder go through me. Nathaniel was waiting at the front for me as he said he was. The guards assessed us and made sure that we weren't carrying weapons of any sort before letting us through.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in, and finally we made it to the visitor’s area. There were lots of people paying a visit with their incarcerated family members. My uncle sat at a table as though he owned the entire world, daring someone, anyone to fuck with him.
Viktor Safaryan, whether,he was on the outside of prison or locked in its walls, was an imposing figure to deal with. He stood and embraced me.
"Uncle," I remarked.
"Nephew," he replied, a smile on his lips, and his Russian accent still faintly there to be heard.
He and Nathaniel shook hands,and then we sat down to talk. Viktor immediately wanted to know how everything was running. I shook my head, indicating I didn't want to discuss business.
Ever the one with a temper, he slapped his hands down on the table that separated us. "
Tell me how things are, Nephew."
I didn't move or even flinch. Had it been Val, it might have been some movement, but I was not intimidated by Viktor in the slightest. "Business is fine. This isn't exactly the place to discuss it."
Nathaniel cleared his throat a bit and looked around. No one was paying us much attention. Prisons made everyone nervous though, even lawyers. Who in their right minds wanted to be locked in a place like this? I didn't think even the guards themselves wanted to be in this hell hole, and they were paid to do so. The air smelled of antiseptics and bleach, the walls were painted a chalky grey color devoid of any real art. No, no one wanted to be in prison.
"Is there news on when my release might be? Ears have told me that the state's witness is suddenly unavailable," my uncle spoke again this time his voice lower thannormal.