Page 82 of Devious Corruption

“Moscow? From Boris Novikov?” Lev frowns. “What does that old man want?”

“Same as he always does, power and control.” Alexander answers.

“He has full control of Moscow and most of Russia; now he wants to dig his fingers into the States?” Ivan puts a scoop of eggs on Vee’s plate then passes the bowl to me.

After putting a spoonful on my plate, I try to hand it to Lev, but he taps the edge of my plate. A signal that he wants me to take more.

My cheeks heat, and only to avoid an argument in front of everyone, I comply and put another spoonful on before shoving the bowl at him.

“The DeAngelos have old ties back home that have his ear. The issues here are starting to spill over into their agreements back home. Boris wants an end to it.”

“What does Marco need to do in order to stop the war?” Megan asks.

With a firm voice and stoic expression Alexander says, “Die.”

“That’s a little dramatic, don’t you think?” Elana takes a bite into her pastry. “You’re all grown up men; can’t you come to some sort of agreement? A compromise of sorts? You’ve been taking down their businesses, and they’re blowing up your warehouses. It’s getting you nowhere.”

“Because of Marco, Megan was nearly killed.” Ivan states pointedly. “And Vee’s friend, one of my waitresses, was taken and brutalized. You think we should shake hands and go our separate ways?”

Elana glances at Megan then Vee. “Of course not, no. I hate what they did, but I just mean, it has to end at some point right? I mean, they sent people to kill you and Vee, Ivan.”

“Marco doesn’t survive this.” Alexander spreads his fingers across the tabletop. “Or his brothers.”

Elana’s gaze shoots to her oldest brother. Shock and concern covers her face.

“And when you kill him and his brothers, you don’t think that will create a vacuum?” Elana argues.

“Since when do you want anything to do with the family business?” Ivan asks, keeping his voice level, but his fingertips drum on the table.

“I don’t.” She shrugs, but there’s a defensiveness to her tone and the stiffness of her shoulders.

“Maybe we can talk about the details of all this later.” Kaz reaches across the table, snatching one of the pastries from the plate. “I don’t think Maxine really wants to hear all this.”

I lift my gaze to him when I hear my name. He’s right.

This is a family discussion, and I’m not family. I’m an outsider.

Always the outsider.

“She can handle the conversation,” Lev defends.

Kaz meets Lev’s gaze. “I didn’t say she couldn’t handle it. Only that she probably doesn’t want to hear how Alexander wants to kill an entire family.”

“It’s all right,” I voice.

“Well, I don’t want to hear about it.” Elana smiles tensely.

“Should we go back to talking about your education?” Alexander suggests, his eyebrows raised.

“Alexander.” Kaz shakes his head. “Leave it alone for now.”

Elana’s cheeks redden, most likely from irritation if the glare she’s shooting at her oldest brother can be trusted.

“That’s it!” I burst out as the memory hits me. “That’s where I’ve seen you.”

Elana’s, and everyone else’s, eyes swing to me. “Seen me?”

“Yes!” I laugh. “I’ve been trying rack my brain. I mean, you looked familiar when I saw you at Nicolette’s dinner, but I couldn’t place it. But it finally hit me. You came into the store last week. With your boyfriend, or fiancé?”