I know the other side of dysfunction all too well. There are those who portray perfection outside their home’s walls, and then they fight and hate those closest to them when securely behind closed doors, away from the curious eyes of the public. I would rather live my brand of ‘fucked-upness’ than live a lie. I may live in the raw, brutal world of organized crime, but we are the embodiment of keeping it real. Our love for each other runs as deeply as the blood in our veins, and it extends to every family member. I know Glazov is happy to have Novak back home. There is strength in numbers, and we are strong in the force we present to the outside world. No matter what we go through together, in the end, we are always there for the family, and we always present a united front.
Chapter Seventeen
Glazov
“Your lip is looking like you got busted in the mouth.”
Novak laughs, ragging me as he sits on the opposite side of my desk in my home office.
“Fuck you! You just better hope you got the only tape showing our faces.”
He ignores me and continues trying to instigate shit with me.
“I’m wondering if you won that fight. Are you losing your edge in your old age?”
“I don’t know, cousin. Maybe you’d like to get in the ring with me and find out.”
That seems to shut him up. He knows how ruthless I can be in the ring, and he wants no part of it.
“I don’t have a death wish, Glazov. You don’t know when to stop. You ignore all the rules of the sport.”
“Well, I’m glad you have sense enough not to try because if you do, we both know it will be no holds barred. Being family won’t save your ass either. Once I’m inside those ropes, all bets are off. I have one mission, and that’s to beat the shit out of my opponent for being stupid enough to challenge me in the first place. You can’t talk to stupid; you have to beat the shit out of it.”
“Spoken like a true Neanderthal.”
I change the subject; having made my point, it’s time to move on to something other than my fat lip.
“Are you guys settled in?”
“My wife hired help to do that shit. I’m smart enough to get out of her way.”
“I hear that. On another note, what did Katrina have to say about Logan the day they saw her at the library?”
“She said when they asked her what she was doing, she said homework. She did observe that the girl acted like she was scared of them.”
“She would do well to be scared of them. They’re bad enough separated. Put them together, and there’s no telling what kind of mayhem they’ll wreak. I don’t doubt the girl is timid; that’s one of the reasons Kodiak is so enamored with her. I do doubt her intentions though.”
“What do you think she’s up to?”
“That’s the problem; I don’t know. I don’t like not knowing either.”
I reach over and push the speaker button to summon my son.
“Kodiak, get your ass in here.”
I wait for my son, and I watch as he saunters in and sits down beside Novak, stretching his long legs out like he doesn’t have a care in the world. The man seated before me is anything but the helpless little boy I rescued from a burning building. It’s easy to see why he’s such a hit with the ladies. His dark, brooding good looks, coupled with the perpetual five o’ clock shadow he keeps, seem to draw the women in like bees to honey. Although, here of late, it seems he has no time for any other woman besides Logan.
“Have you fucked her yet?”
I question him, but his only answer is a smirk.
“That bitch is up to something. Don’t fuck around and fall in love because she could very well end up locked in the basement dungeon away from civilization.”
“Seriously, Dad? Is that supposed to dissuade me? You, of all people, should understand that the thought of a woman being caged and at my mercy is a turn-on for me.”
I just shake my head.
“What is it about the men in this family and their penchant for taking women captive?”
“Like you say, Dad, it’s in our DNA.”
“You don’t have anything on Logan?”
“Not yet. She leads a pretty boring life. She goes to school during the day and comes to work for you at night. The only other place she goes is the library.”
“No boyfriend?”
“Have I killed anyone yet?” my son growls.
“So, you do have it bad? Take a word of advice from your old man; stop fucking other women. If this girl is drawn to you at all, and she finds out you’re fucking a different woman every night, you’ll lose any chance you may have with her.”
“I’m not fucking anybody else.”
“So you are fucking her. That was easy enough to get out of you.”
He ignores me and continues talking. I know he heard me. My boys don’t miss anything; they are their father’s sons.
“Yeah, I’ve already thought of that. Some of the other women at the gambling house are being mean to her because I’m not interested in any of them.”
“I don’t care what you have to do; you keep that girl in your sights. I’ve spent my whole life listening to my gut, and there’s more to that girl than meets the eye. She’s up to something, and I’m going to find out what it is. Now, if you want to keep her safe, find out what the fuck she’s up to. I’d hate to have to kill the first woman you’ve ever shown any true interest in.”
The scowl on his face clearly lets me know that he isn’t happy about my announcement. The scowl on mine should clearly let him know… I don’t give a fuck.
Chapter Eighteen
Glazov
Nothing is going to convince me that Logan isn’t up to something. I hope for my son’s sake that she isn’t an informant. This is the first woman to truly capture his interest, and I really would regret having to kill her. All the women before Logan, Kodiak treated like they were just fuck fests. This is the first time I’ve been obsessed with any woman since my wife as well, but for me, it is in no way sexual. I’m used to women who I can read like open books, and this girl has secrets. I can smell them on her, and I want to know what they are. Is someone threatening her? I almost hope that is the case. At least then, it will mean that I can kill someone besides her. I love my son, and I don’t want to hurt him by taking away the first woman to captivate his attention. Concerning my children, I’ve managed to do something most Bratva fathers are unable to do. I’ve kept their love and respect; they don’t hate me because of my involvement in organized crime. All three of my children are deeply involved in the Bratva cells I rule because they’ve chosen to follow in their father’s footsteps. Even my daughter, Roksana, is a force to be reckoned with in the world of organized crime.
Suddenly, a thought hits me, and I push the speaker button to call her into my office where I still sit with my cousin and son. I eye my beautiful, redheaded daughter as she makes her entrance. She is as stunning as her mother and acts just as aloof. She has no time for a man in her life, and she is all business. As usual, she’s wearing a dress that flows in such a manner as to hide the gun she’s carrying in a small holster strapped to her thigh. Unless you know it’s there, you won’t see it until she’s putting a bullet between your eyes.
“What’s up, Daddy?”
“I want you to befriend Logan.”
She smirks as she eyes her brother Kodiak.
“I thought Kodiak had that covered. With the way he stalks the poor girl, I doubt she’s doing anything you aren’t already aware of.”
“You and I both know a woman will share things with another woman that she won’t reveal to a love interest.”
“So, is she a love interest?”
Though she’s speaking to me, she is directing her attention toward her brother who is now glaring at her. The boy is seething.
Kodiak answers in a threatening tone that promises retribution.
“You better not do anything to fucking turn her against me, Roksana.”
“Damn, you’
re touchy over this one, aren’t you? Far be it from me to get in the way of true love.”
She gives her brother a serious look that lets him know she’s done teasing him.
“Your secrets are safe with me. If you like her that much, then I do too. That is, of course, as long as she isn’t doing anything to hurt this family. I suggest you keep your woman on a short leash, Kodiak. Find out what she’s up to, and put a stop to it. We both know Daddy is never wrong when it comes to reading people. As dull as the girl’s social life is, I’m certain she hasn’t done anything that can’t be undone, at least not yet. Stop her before she gets in too deep, and we can all continue to be the happy family we are.”
“You heard me, Roksana. Just don’t you dare do anything to run the girl off, or you’ll be answering to me. Not even Daddy will be able to save you!”
I watch as he stands up and kicks the chair out of his way before he storms out of the office. I really hope I don’t have to kill this girl. It’s obvious Kodiak really cares about her. I wait until he leaves before I address my daughter.
“Take it easy on the girl. I don’t want any family rifts, princess.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
She leans over to kiss my cheek. I know, even though she purposely antagonized her brother, she won’t do anything to hurt him. If Kodiak truly cares about the girl, and he does, Roksana will take her under her wing and protect her. It will serve two purposes: it will provide me with more Intel, and it will put a stop to the bullying the other women at the gambling house are subjecting her to. They are all scared of my daughter, and if Logan has her seal of approval, the rest of the girls I employ will follow suit. It’s the pecking order. When it comes to the women employees, Roksana is, and always will be, the queen bee.
I nod for her to leave and give me privacy when the phone rings, leaving only Novak and me alone in the office.
“Antonio, how nice to hear from you. You put on quite a show with the lemon juice on top of the salt solvent. It was a nice addition to your normal sadistic routine.”
“Yeah? That’s why I’m calling. I wanted to let you know that I found your little device on a sweep.”
“Well, you know me. When I can’t be there in person, I like to be present in spirit.”
“No, you didn’t trust me to not lose that shipment of guns.”
“Oh, don’t get your feelings hurt. I don’t even trust my own mother.”
“You don’t have a mother, asshole. You were spawned from the devil.”
“Is that why you called? To ridicule my heritage?”
“No, I have an issue with the Haitians.”
“I thought you and Ricardo already dealt with that nasty little sex trafficking problem.”
“We did, but you know how it is. You get rid of one problem and another crops up.”
“So, what have they done this time?”
“I’m guessing it was a form of retaliation, but they have kidnapped the sister of a woman who works for me. The girl was in the Dominican Republic doing humanitarian work, and now, if rumors are to be believed, she’s in your neck of the woods.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard talk that the Haitians are getting involved in the sex trade here.”
“The problem is, Glazov, they’re not just muscling in on your trade in Russian brides. They’re doing snuff films as well. The sons of bitches are live streaming captive women, killing them off as the grand finale.”
“Damn, that is cold-blooded. This is the first I have heard about all of this. I’m all for bringing women in from Russia to be brides when they’re willing, but taking them against their will for money on my turf is unacceptable behavior. I don’t need the fallout of this shit coming back on me. I don’t want the authorities thinking I’m behind all this just because I run the Bratva cells here in Louisville.”
“Motherfucker, you took your wife against her will.”
“That’s none of your damn business, Antonio! I have never, nor will I ever, condone kidnapping women and raping them. Killing them on camera and selling it to Internet pervs is unacceptable as well.”
“I’m not insinuating you have ever been in favor of that type of shit. I’m just sayin’ that you’re not exactly lily white. You need to send a message to not only law enforcement, but also to your competition that you don’t tolerate outsiders muscling in on your turf.”
“I don’t need you telling me how to conduct my fucking business, Antonio. You and that crazy ass brother of yours have got enough going on without worrying about me and mine. Butting in to my business isn’t on the Colombian cartel’s to-do list.”
“Just as bugging my warehouse to watch how I do business shouldn’t be on the Bratva’s to-do list.”
I snarl at my cousin, giving him a dirty look. He looks like he’s enjoying the pissing match between me and Antonio a bit too much. I listen as Antonio continues his rant.
“There’s no sense in us having a cock measuring competition; we both know mine’s bigger.”
That draws a snicker out of my cousin, which only pisses me off further.
“Fuck you and your cock, Antonio! You can go look for your own bitch then. I’m not some petty ass gangbanger who needs to solidify my reputation. My fucking reputation precedes me!”
“Oh, calm down. I’m just trying to give you a friendly heads-up. You Russians are so temperamental.”
“Damn straight we are. Antagonizing me is no way to ingratiate yourself with me or my organization.”
“Look, the issue is that the woman who is being held, and will ultimately be killed, isn’t my woman, as you so eloquently worded. She’s yours.”
“How the hell do you figure that?”
“She’s on your turf, bro.”
“And she’s the sister of one of your dancers, bro.”
I can just imagine Antonio Wayne with his feet propped up on his desk, haughtily declaring that I am responsible for this shit just because it’s happening on my turf.
“Fuck you, Antonio. Go find your own bitch!”
I slam the phone down. My lip is bugging me, my cousin is pissing me off, and Antonio Wayne is the biggest fucking brat I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting. I jerk the phone up when it rings, glaring at Novak who’s now shaking he’s laughing so hard. He’s even smacking his leg with his palm, and I swear the tears are about to come at any second. I’m glad he’s so fucking entertained. I’m certainly not; I’m just pissed. If Antonio and Ricardo weren’t allies of mine, I’d board a plane right now and kill him myself, the antagonistic little shit.
“What?!” I growl into the phone, thinking it’s Antonio again. It isn’t; it’s his big brother, Ricardo.
“So, I see that little shit called you to bail his ass out,” I spit into the phone.
“Glazov, please accept my apologies for my little brother. You know how he is. He only rags on you because he loves you.”
“Yeah, I’m really feeling the love right now, Ricardo.”
“Please, help us look for the woman. If you find her, just ship her back to New York so she can be with her sister, and all will be well. I would see it as a personal favor to me, and our enemies would perceive the act as a sign of solidarity.”
Now, that does strike a chord with me. He continues talking while I contemplate the possible benefits of helping the Ramirez brothers.
“I hate to think an innocent woman is being held captive and will be killed in a snuff film, all because the Haitians have a vendetta with my brother and me.”
I run my thumb across my lower lip, wincing when I accidentally brush over the top one. I should have killed that son of a bitch who busted my lip.
“You take care of them on your end, Ricardo, and I’ll see what I can do about the girl.”
“Thank you, and once again, please try to ignore my little brother’s antagonistic antics.”
I hang up without saying anything because I can’t promise to do that. I’m not overlooking a damn thing. Antonio Wayne isn’t going to change
for anyone, and I’m damn sure not changing either. It’s a simple case of it is what it is. We both know that no matter how much we purposely irritate each other, in the end, we’re allies. I’d still love to get the little bastard in the ring though. Perhaps that’s the answer. By the time I finish wiping the mat with his ass, he’ll show me a little more respect.
I turn my attention back to my cousin who, thankfully, seems to have gotten his laughing fit under control.
“You and I both know that was a lucky hit that guy got in, so laugh it up while you can. Even your cast-iron stomach will lurch when you see what I do to him in retribution.”
He doesn’t reply because he knows what I’m saying is true. When I gut the motherfucker and strangle him with his own intestines, anyone there to witness it will be horrified.
“Nikita! Get in here,” I growl into the speaker.
I look at Novak. He's twirling a toothpick in his mouth, smirking like he’s enjoying the show and just waiting for the next act to start. The little troublemaker is having a lot of fun at my expense, watching me argue with Antonio Wayne and brood about my busted lip. He is languidly stretched back in his chair, and just the sight of him so relaxed and happy right now is aggravating me.
“Why don’t you get that fucking toothpick out of your mouth and quit looking so damn smug?”
“It’s cinnamon flavored; I like it.”
“Why are you even still sitting in here?” I bark out.
“Because I’m looking forward to seeing you jump all over Nikita’s ass.”
“You’re a fucking instigator, Novak.”
“No, Antonio Wayne is.”
“I won’t argue with that.”
I look at my phone when I hear a text alert come through, and it’s a picture of the woman we need to rescue. I’m not in the habit of rescuing damsels in distress, but Ricardo made a damn good point about presenting a united front against our enemies. Securing my alliance with the Columbian cartel will make it worth any inconvenience. Out of everyone, the Ramirez brothers are two connections I don’t want to lose or piss off. In the process, I will also be getting rid of enemies attempting to make a name for themselves on my turf. I need to stop this shit before it starts. There is no way I am going to allow gangbangers to come in and take over my territory. My family has worked for generations to secure our Bratva legacy. This is the exact reason I raised my children the way I have.
Glazov's Legacy (Born Bratva Book 2) Page 7
