Page 49 of Hunt Me

He also alerted me to any situations that might be brewing, including unscrupulous assholes making their way into our resorts. Maybe he had some information regarding O’Shaughnessy.

I debated answering but was as eager to finalize this atrocity as the others were to make this work. So I ignored the call.

“Which is not necessarily good news,” DiAngelo added. “One thing I did find out was that they’ve made overtures to purchase a second major movie production house in LA.” Once the words were out of his mouth, he turned his attention toward Nadia. I refused to allow another fucking physical entanglement to endanger all that we’d built.

This was news to me. I threw a look toward Alexsey, who as chief operating officer handled our expansion into movies and music. “True?”

“Unsubstantiated,” he answered. “However, well worth taking a look at. Especially if Connor is taking a significant role in leadership. They won’t be stretched too thin.”

“Then make it happen,” I told him. “Use Stefano as necessary.”

I was certain Stefano would object, but surprisingly, he lifted his hand in approval.

Alessandro thought about what had been said, turning his head toward his brothers and nodding. “Then I say we complete the deal.” He pulled out a Mont Blanc and grabbed the file.

I watched as he ceremoniously signed the paperwork, feeling nothing but uncertainties about how our alliance would work. While we weren’t combining fortunes or otherwise interfering with basic business operations, we’d established a combined trust. Almost like a will in which if one family was destroyed, the other would have a certain amount of limited control.

It was unheard of in our world and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Everything continued to feel wrong about what we were doing, but I’d been outnumbered. Maybe I should have objected tomy own conviction about turning the corporation’s board of directors into a democracy.

When Alessandro was finished, he slid the papers in my direction. His eyes never left mine as if we were engaged in a power play. I glanced down at the paperwork and instead of any remaining tension, it would seem everyone was eager to bring this chapter to a close so another could begin.

Fine.

If anything happened, no one could suggest I didn’t warn them. I pulled a pen from my jacket, scribbling my name in the appropriate places, finally shoving the paperwork aside. From here, Kazimir would handle putting everything into place.

Almost immediately everyone stood, loud chatter beginning.

My phone rang a second time. Seeing Jack’s number again sent an immediate red flag. I rose from the chair before answering, turning my back to the group.

“Detective Wagner. How long has it been? Are you calling for a charitable donation?” It was the standing joke we’d had. We’d even developed a friendship of sorts over the years.

He laughed. “I wish it were that simple. One of your men is down. I wanted to be the one to personally tell you.”

“Who?” While we didn’t perform like a traditional Bratva any longer, I was a Pakhan that everyone respected, their loyalty required. With both my father and uncle remaining in relative retirement, the decisions I made affected everyone. Fortunately, we had enforcers who worked within the resorts, every man and woman capable of the same heinous activities I’d performed over the years.

They’d soon learn they were working overtime.

“Sergio Pavel.”

The news hit me hard. I had instant flashbacks, forced to take several deep breaths as anger swelled.

My friend. My mentor. My second fucking father. I fisted my hand as my entire body tensed. Sergio was salt of the earth, enjoying life in the United States more than any other Russian who worked for me. “What the fuck?” All the air was driven from my lungs and for a few seconds, my vision was foggy from the intense rage.

“Yeah. I know you two were close.”

I scrubbed my jaw, doing what I could to calm the rage. “Describe what’s going on.”

“It could be a home invasion, although there are some… anomalies I think you need to see. There’s a video that’s pretty interesting.” He was phrasing his words carefully.

“Fuck,” I hissed, immediately drawing Alexsey’s attention. He narrowed his eyes and walked closer. “Yeah, I’ll be right there. Do not allow anyone else access to the video. Am I clear? This is personal, Jack. Fucking personal.”

“I understand, but we are talking about a murder scene.”

“Just fucking do what I say. And do not take his body away. I need to see him.”

Jack sighed. “Okay, Mikhail. Just get here when you can.”