Page 39 of Plaintive Vow

If everything goes according to plan, it’ll be straightforward, but if Dmitri does something stupid and decides to run his mouth? There’s a real chance he’s not going home at all.

Dmitri shrugs, looking out the window with his grin still fully intact. “Not really, but how hard can it be?”

I grunt.

Blyad, how fresh is this kid?

“How’d you get into this line of work?”

He’s quiet for a moment, and I wonder if I’ve finally managed to find his mute button.

“I tried to hold up some tailor’s shop.” He shrugs. “It wasn’t anything serious, you know? I just needed some quick cash to hold me over until I got my next paycheck. And that’s how I met Mikhail.”

“Let me guess, he talked you down and promised you more consistent money?”

Mikhail’s an old prick who’s been working for Maksim since before I was born and runs his crew like a small army. And like any army, he has no qualms about recruiting young, desperate kids for cannon fodder.

“Pretty much.”

“Any regrets?” Even if he’s fine dealing with an asshole like Mikhail on a regular basis, the violence can be a lot for anyone who doesn’t go in with their eyes wide open.

“Not really. I can handle the work as long as I get paid. I…” He looks at me, a calculating look in his eyes. “Listen, you’re chill, right?”

“If you’re asking if I’m going to go around telling everyone what you say, then sure. I’mchill.”

“Okay,” he sighs. “It’s just, I’ve got a little sister, right? Our parents died in a car crash last year. I need to have the money to prove to the state I can provide her with a stable home before I can get her out of foster care.” There’s a quiet resolve in his words, and I get it. If I was in his shoes, I’d put up with Mikhail’s bullshit, too.

“She’s turning ten next month. I don’t want her getting raised by strangers.”

Fuck, no wonder Maksim was so willing to put him on this job. He doesn’t have anyone waiting for him. Just some kid who probably has no way of knowing if something has happened to her big brother if he disappears.

My hands flex against the steering wheel.

“In that case, let me give you some advice. Learn to keep your mouth shut. Not just tonight, but any time you’re around someone carrying a gun.”

“Right. Don’t want to piss them off,” he mutters, shoulders curling forward.

“Not just that. You’d be surprised what people have to say when you let them fill the silence. No matter what anyone tells you, knowledge is an underrated power. When you know the right things, it doesn’t take much pressure to put someone on their back foot. Take the guy we’re meeting tonight, Luca Sotero. Have you heard of him before?”

“In passing.”

I smirk. “He’s a hotheaded little shit, but he works with us. You know why?”

“Because his boss told him to?”

“No. His boss doesn’t know about the little arrangement he has with us.”

A beat passes. “Seriously? Does he have a death wish?”

“No. But he’s racked up a hell of a debt. Turns out he has a thing for gambling.” Dmitri laughs, shaking his head. “He got in a bit of trouble back in Atlantic City, and it started chasing him home. One of our guys caught wind of the whole thing, and Maksim offered to take care of the debt. Now he owns Luca, and we get a pretty deal on weapons. At least until his boss finds out.”

“But the blowback won’t be on us. All the risk is on Luca.”

I nod. If the kid’s clever enough, he’ll find a way to go far. “Exactly. One guy kept his head down and passed along smart info, so we have a cushy deal and all the power.”

“Huh.”

“The only catch is that Luca doesn’t like it. Sure, he’s backed into a corner and can’t do anything about it, but he’s going to be primed to lash out when we get there. He wants an excuse to draw blood. Don’t give him one. Let his anger burn itself out, and we’ll get home before sunrise.”