Forced to Cooperate

by Piper Stone

  I shut down several of our operations, placing a hold on anything coming into the ports. I couldn’t risk our shipments being hijacked or worse. The near shutdown was necessary but wasn’t boding well for our suppliers or our customers.

  I’d spent years enhancing the legal sides of our businesses while my father had continued his hold on the import business. He preferred the old ways, the very ones that were deemed desirable by those threatening to take over. The irony was disgusting.

  While everything was looming, including additional decisions required as the Capos were looking to me to take control, tonight I was letting it go. Spending time with Dimitri and Willow was far more important.

  I realized she was staring at me even as she continued building some futuristic contraption with Legos, all to Dimitri’s delight. “What are you looking at?” I’d made a fire after dinner, even cooking my son his favorite spaghetti meal. The time spent had been so damn normal, a reminder of a few precious years.

  “You’re barefoot, sitting cross-legged in jeans and a polo shirt that’s seen better days. Even your hair is completely tousled. In other words, I’ve never seen you look as sexy as you do tonight.” She laughed after making the statement, much more at ease than before. It was as if an entire weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

  I took a handful of the colorful blocks, tossing them in her direction. “Very funny.”

  “Not funny at all.”

  “There!” Dimitri said proudly, grinning from ear to ear.

  “That’s gorgeous, Dimitri,” she told him, clapping her hands several times.

  He followed her actions, clapping and giggling as he showed off his magnificent work of art.

  I sat back against the coffee table, savoring the brandy as I watched them playing together. There were so many things I wanted to share with her, words that needed to be said. Why did I continue to feel so hollow inside? I’d never allowed adversity or a single enemy to interfere with any aspect of my life. The burden was significant.

  “I hate to say this, little man, but it’s time for bed.” I adored the frown and sad eyes as he tipped his little head in my direction.

  “Papa. Having fun.”

  “I know, buddy, but it’s already past your bedtime.” As I started to get up, Willow held out her arm.

  “I’ll do that,” she said then recoiled. “I mean, if you trust me.”

  “With my life. Dimitri, would you like Willow to put you to bed?”

  “Yes. Yes. Yes!”

  His exuberance was a reminder that life was short. “Give Papa a big kiss.” His hug was tight, much more so than normal, almost suffocating because of my level of guilt and worry. I’d never been a religious man, even though my mother had been raised Orthodox, but I would get down on my knees and pray if it would keep my baby boy safe.

  “I’ll be right back,” she said, winking as she took his hand into hers.

  My heart remained heavy and watching them walk out of the room felt so damn permanent, foreboding. I hunkered down, grabbing the little work of art in my hand. The kid was so talented. I chuckled at the thought. He certainly hadn’t gotten that from his father.

  “Boss, you have a visitor,” Maksim said as he walked into the room. “Jonas.”

  I’d given explicit instructions not to be interrupted, but this was one exception I’d make. “You need to get some rest.”

  “I’m fine. You need me,” Maksim said, backing away so Jonas could enter the room.

  Jonas peered down at the floor. “Dimitri is here? I thought you’d sent him away.”

  “Well, apparently not far enough, although that changes tomorrow. News on my father?”

  “He’s asking to see you and the charge is first degree murder.”

  I remained where I was, taking a sip of the brandy. “Has he given a statement?”

  “He refuses until he’s had a chance to talk with you. As you might imagine, it took some doing to be able to get you in to see him.”

  “I’ll go first thing in the morning. My father has spent a night in jail before.”

  “Sorry, Aleksei. It has to be tonight. If he doesn’t talk with them like they’re pushing, it’s going to be tough to get any kind of bail. They’re making an example out of your father. At least I have an appointment with Commissioner Ninchenzo in the morning.”

  I finally stood, realizing Jonas didn’t seem as concerned about my father’s incarceration or the charges as I would have imagined. “Have you heard of the attorney Wallace Greenbriar before?” The inflection in the man’s eyes told me that he had.

  “Rings a bell,” Jonas said as he walked toward the bar, pouring himself a drink. “Yes, he’s on the board of directors of several major corporations. From what I understand, he’s not actively practicing law any longer. Why?”

  “He represents Church Exports, or at least he did. Can you find out more about him?”

  “I know who he was friends with.”

  Why did I have the distinct feeling the man was dangling a carrot? “All right. Who?”

  “The mayor. They go way back. I remember seeing a picture of Mr. Greenbriar in the mayor’s office. It appeared they were at a golf outing. I only noticed because he and I were talking about striking up a game.”

  “Fascinating. The web continues to spin.”

  “Well, why don’t you go see your father? I’ll let myself out. Who’s taking care of Dimitri?”

  “A friend.”

  Jonas frowned. “The rumors are true. Willow Church.”

  “She’s become very important to me.” I snatched my keys, needing time alone. The drive would do me some good. I wasn’t here to debate with Jonas, no matter the extensive help he was providing.

  He grabbed my arm just as I walked past. “Be careful, Aleksei. I’ve lived a long time because I was very careful. She sought you out for a reason.”

  “Yeah, one of her brother’s design.”

  “What if that’s not the case? What if she’s working with Peter, her role to get close to you?”

  “Don’t go there, Jonas. I appreciate and value your counsel, but you will not question my decisions.” Yet, the thought had crossed my mind. “What the hell do you think you know? If you do, I suggest you tell me now or keep it to yourself.”

  “What I know, Aleksei, is that I was able to find Peter’s birth certificate. He was born in Murmansk, coming here with his parents not long after your family. What I can’t find is anything on Willow, although I presume she was born in this country.”

  “That’s because she was adopted. From what I can tell, Peter also used that against her. She’s not working with him, Jonas. She hates him.” I jerked my arm away, heading for the stairs. I found her reading to Dimitri, even though his eyes were already closed.

  She placed a finger over her mouth and walked out into the hallway. “He’s already asleep. I don’t think he heard three words of the teddy bear story.”

  “I have to go out, an opportunity to see my father.”

  “Are you sure that’s wise? You’re taking Maksim at least. Right?”

  “I’ll be fine. I doubt anything is going to happen until all the pieces are in place.” And I suspected there was a lot more to this ruse.

  “Just be careful. I’ll watch over Dimitri.”

  “Here is the same burner phone. Don’t make a call unless it’s an emergency. Don’t answer unless you see my programmed number on the screen but if I call, I need you to answer. We can’t afford any missteps. Do you understand me?”

  “Of course.” She took the phone, cradling it against her chest before shoving it into her pocket. “Now, I’m afraid.”

  “Don’t worry. You’re safe here.”

  I started to walk away then swept her into my arms, running my fingers through her hair as I captured her mouth. She moaned into the kiss and every part of me wanted nothing more than to ravage her body. I would as soon as I returned.

  As I broke the kiss, I still held her close. “I’
ll be back in less than two hours.”

  “I’ll be waiting up.”

  I backed away, sprinting down the stairs.

  “Where you going, boss?” Maksim asked. “I’m coming with you.”

  “Not necessary.”

  “No, I’m coming with you. That’s what your father would have wanted.” Maksim followed me outside, pointing to two of the others to take his place at the front of the house. “We can’t be too careful.”

  The man was right.

  * * *

  “You’ll have to leave everything here, Mr. Petrov, including your watch and belt.” While the deputy spoke the words blandly, I could tell he was watching to see if I still was wearing a gun. As if I hadn’t been checked already, the metal detectors installed over a year before.

  “I doubt my father is going to try and kill himself,” I muttered as I presented my Rolex.

  “You never can tell.”

  While it was only a little after ten, the area appeared abandoned, as if planned. I’d been forced to wait for almost an hour and I was hot under the collar, fuming at the obvious plan to make me sit and wait. Someone was worried about my temper.

  They should be.

  I understood this meeting wasn’t considered client/attorney privilege, so both my father and I would have to be very careful what we said. The detectives would be listening. I handed him my belt, studying the layout of the floor. If someone wanted to assassinate my father, they had ample opportunity, at least as far as I was concerned. I would insist that he be moved until Jonas sorted out bail.

  “Come with me, Mr. Petrov.”

  Another officer led me down the hallway to the last room. The two armed guards standing outside were an indication of just how dangerous they believed my father to be.

  After unlocking the door, I was basically shoved inside, the sound of steel hitting steel reverberating. This particular precinct had seen better days.

  My father appeared even more haggard than he had only a couple of days before, the two-day stubble something I never saw. He sat, a defeated look on his face, the orange jumpsuit ill-fitting.

  “How you holding up, Father?” I yanked the second chair out from the table, already spying the two cameras in the room.

  He followed my gaze, nodding in recognition before leaning forward. “Fine. Jonas will work on bail.”

  “So he says. You’ve talked with Mother?”

  He exhaled, shrugging his shoulders. “She’s very upset but holding up. I told her not to come back here.”

  “A good idea. You wanted to see me.”

  “You know I didn’t do the thing.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I know. My guess is that you know who did.”

  “He’d already been shot,” he whispered, coughing immediately after. He motioned for me to crouch lower to the table. “I called Trent. He said he needed to see me, that it was urgent. Took a couple hours to break away. By then it was too late, but...” He snarled as he looked at the two-way mirror.

  “What else?”

  “He said three words as he grabbed my hand.”

  That’s how my father had gotten bloody. “All right.”

  I could barely understand what he was saying, but it was certain my father didn’t want any ears overhearing.

  “Peter. Pawn. Club.”

  What in God’s name could that mean? I sat back briefly, trying to put the puzzle together. “No idea.” I moved closer once again. “Your gun was fired.”

  “Yeah, it was. Had an issue to deal with.” He patted my hand, a knowing look on his face. He’d taken out one of our own.

  What the hell?

  “Do what you can to protect the family, son. I don’t care what that means. You were always meant to lead. Paolo will give you anything you need. He’s one of my few Capos I trust implicitly.”

  The words were somehow far too chilling, tensing every muscle. He anticipated being taken out. That wasn’t going to happen on my watch. I also knew his comment was offering additional information.

  As I collected my things, I could feel various eyes on me. There were no friends in this precinct, no one on our payroll. And the funny thing was, the building was completely out of the jurisdiction of where the murder had supposedly taken place.

  More blatant evidence of a setup.

  Maksim had been working under my employ for some time while my father had a different Capo, a man who’d been with him for years. Paolo wasn’t from the old country. He’d been lured away from an Italian street gang almost nineteen years before. His loyalty to my father was unimpeachable. Then why wasn’t he holding court for my father? There was only one reason.

  Finishing what my father had started.

  Which meant Paolo was a wealth of information.

  I waited until we were in the car before saying anything to Maksim. “I want you to get Paolo to my house immediately. I need to know exactly what orders my father gave him. Paolo has information we need, answers only he can supply. Then let Thomas and the others know we’re coming.”

  “You got it, boss. Incidentally, plane is set up for departure tomorrow morning at ten a.m.”

  “Excellent.” I pressed down on the accelerator, eager to get away from this shit hole, back home to my... I realized the word ‘family’ had come to mind. She didn’t belong to me, at least yet.

  “Yo, Paolo. Boss man needs you at his house.”

  The word pawn I understood and of course everyone knew Peter was involved. What the hell did club mean? I was frustrated beyond belief, feeling the effects of the ticking time bomb. Everything was being squeezed and my belief was that I would be next.

  “Yeah, I hear you. Finish what you got going and come to the house. Yeah, I’ll tell him.” By that point of ending the call, Maksim was staring at me. “Paolo is finishing a job.”

  “Which is?”

  “Your father found a couple men who betrayed all of us.”

  I hissed hearing the news, even though I suspected my father would initiate a search and kill in his ranks. That was his style. While I doubted we could have extracted any information from the soldiers already meeting their demise, having the opportunity would have been beneficial. “Fuck.”

  “Paolo will handle it well,” Maksim assured me. “If not, I’ll kick his ass.” Grinning, he dialed another number, performing his duties as required.

  I was weary from the day, the poker game switching to chess, now cat and mouse. My patience had worn thin.

  “Jesus, Thomas. Answer the goddamn phone,” Maksim grumbled and pressed the number again.

  I’d been around long enough to know very little would keep a soldier from communicating, death being one of them.

  “Call every one of them, now!” I barked, pressing the accelerator again until I flew up the entrance ramp to the highway going over seventy miles per hour. I pressed the number for the phone I’d given Willow, expecting her to answer on the first ring. Nothing. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!”

  “Sasha isn’t answering either.” Maksim continued dialing numbers, cursing under his breath.

  “What in God’s fucking name?” I floored it, going in excess of ninety, zigging and zagging around cars. If Peter did anything—any fucking thing—he was a dead man.

  “What the fuck, Thomas? You’re required to answer when we call!” Maksim snapped. “Uh-huh. Yeah... What? Are you kidding me?” He shook his head. “Fine. Get back to the goddamn house.”

  “What the hell is going on?”

  “Just after Jonas left, they heard an explosion. Someone threw a pipe bomb at his car less than half a mile from the house. He’s fine, just scared the piss out of him. He and Sasha were the ones who went to investigate.”

  A warning. I had both hands on the steering wheel as I shot off the exit, screeching around turns. While I was coming from the opposite direction, I was able to clearly see the flashing blue lights. I would deal with the police later.

  The car was barely in gear or the engine stopped before I raced into
the house, running into the living room. Willow wasn’t there. “Willow!” I turned in a circle, eyeing Thomas as he walked inside. “Where the fuck is she?”

  Thomas’ eyes opened wide, his face paling. “She was... here... boss. I swear to God.”

  “If anything happened to her or my son, you are going to die.” I took the stairs three at a time, racing toward Dimitri’s room, at least two of my soldiers closely behind. The damn door was closed. Every part of my body shaking, I reached for the doorknob, horrified at what I might find.

  I took several steps back, gasping for air, unable to stop the tears.

  “Boss?” Maksim asked.

  “Get out,” I said under my breath. “Both of you. Get everyone out!”

  I half stumbled into the room, lifting my head toward the ceiling and holding my breath. To see Willow curled up around Dimitri, his little hand on her stomach, both peacefully asleep was the most amazing sight in my life. I bent down, lowering my head to the edge of the bed as I brushed my hand down her arm.

  This nightmare had to end.

  “Aleksei? What’s wrong?” Willow jerked up, instantly looking down at Dimitri.

  “Nothing is wrong.”

  “I can tell.” She moved to a sitting position, instantly fingering my face. “What?”

  My reaction surprised her as I scooped her into my arms, holding her against my chest. “You’re safe.”

  “Absolutely. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  I carried her out of the room, pulling Dimitri’s door shut.

  “Please tell me what is going on,” she insisted, pushing against my chest, her head darting back and forth.

  “You didn’t answer the phone. I was worried.”

  “I’m sorry. I heard Dimitri calling for you and I guess I accidentally fell asleep. I left the phone downstairs.”

  I carried her all the way down the stairs and into the living room, my heart still racing. When I eased her down onto her feet, I gripped her hair with one hand, cupping the side of her face with the other. “Don’t you understand I could have lost you? I thought someone had attacked you.”