Page 73 of Scarlet Promise

“I’ve heard whispers recently,” Vladimir says.

Elisei scans the area with an alertness that doesn’t show in his casual demeanor.

When music starts, Vladimir shoots a look over his shoulder.

“My man here is keeping an eye out. First sign of trouble, we’ll know. Talk,” I say. “You’ve heard whispers?”

He answers in Russian. “About you. Simonov’s offering a reward for anyone who takes you down.”

Fuck. That’s not what I want to hear, but I’m also not surprised.

“He’s been bragging that it should be easy, considering your bratva’s in tatters anyway,” Vladimir continues. “But you’re aligned with the Yegorov Bratva, aren’t you?”

I don’t answer that because he knows. I think he’s trying to keep us here, trying to prolong this moment, but I think it’smore about preservation. He doesn’t have the air of a man out to betray others.

“Anyone shown any interest in the proposition?”

“I wish I knew. I can listen out, but those kinds of conversations will be one-on-one.”

Of course they are. “Anything else?”

“I’m not sure it’s of interest.”

“Talk,” I say.

And he does.

It’s clear he wants out, to get away from the Simonov Bratva. Even if he wasn’t betraying Simonov, there’s no potential to rise through the ranks there. Simonov clearly has his high-ups and his soldiers, who are nothing more than fodder.

The things he tells me aren’t of much help, a few places he knows about that Elisei puts into his phone, places we could check out as potential hiding places for Melor, but they are in Chicago city limits. Still, I don’t hold much hope.

I hand over an envelope with a very generous amount inside. “Your money, and if you’re interested, perhaps we can talk when this is over.”

His eyes widen. “Th-thank you.”

Elisei and I leave, not saying much until we get into the SUV.

“Thoughts?” I ask.

“He seems on the up and up. I think he’d jump on the job if you offered him one,” he says.

“Agreed.”

If we survive, I think. Because the thing is, without Demyan, I’m nothing in terms of fighting power. At least not at the moment with my ranks depleted.

But he’s not about to help me.

And I’m not about to ask.

So I’m not exactly sure what to do. I could sit back and hope it’s a bluff, leave Alina in the safe hands of her brother while Iwait and see what Simonov does, and continue my mission to bring him and Melor down on my own.

Of course, this new information changes things.

I knew on some level Simonov would want my bratva. There’s want that comes with negotiations and buyouts. There’s want that comes in the form of an alliance or a merger. Then there’s war and ambushes.

If he thinks he can just take me, then I can’t sit back, build my ranks, hunt down Melor, and then have a showdown with Simonov.

This is all going to happen all at once, and without troops, I’m at a great disadvantage.