5
Aiden
I’m miles away again, running on autopilot as I sit in another meeting where I’m supposed to be paying attention.
Maksim and Ilya are in the black leather chairs before me going over the business’ profits for the month.
We’ve been in my office at Romanov Logistics for nearly two hours now, discussing important things I need to be aware of. It’s just I hate having meetings of any kind when my mind is torn.
It’s hard to focus, even harder to be Pakhan and put on the façade I have my shit together.
I’ve been the leader of the Voirik for the last three and a half years and I know if nothing else, it’s I need to be mindful of who and what I am.
In the Bratva showing any sign of weakness is like adding the ink to your death certificate.No matter who I’m with. Family or otherwise.
Maksim is my cousin and Sovientrik in the Brotherhood.He has the same role I had to my father and brother with the duty to advise me and make sure my men are loyal.
Ilya is my Obshchak and senior bodyguard.He handles all the money and is responsible for security.
Both are as powerful as me in structure and hierarchy.
And both are men who are close to me.
Close enough to have delivered Judas’ kiss of betrayal on that night so long ago when I lost my family. So, I have to be on guard at all times and with everyone.
The most valued lesson I’ve learned in life is to trust no one. Especially those I think would never betray me.
Either of these men would have been the perfect candidate for betrayal.
Maksim and I grew up like brothers. No matter what I believe, or what the end reveals, we’ve had each other’s backs since we were three.That is a fact whether out of formality or genuine loyalty. My father had his father’s back, and they lived that way until the day his father took a bullet to the heart for mine.
Ilya has been my bodyguard since I was ten. He assumed his role after my mother was killed. My father was the best any man could have, and that’s why he chose Ilya to watch over me. A man who was a protector the same way he was.
While I don’t want the traitor to be either of them, I have to factor in it could be.
The only people I told what I did regarding my mess up with the Order were my father, and my brother, Viktor. I know the traitor wasn’t either of them.
It was only after Gabriella’s death I told Maksim and Ilya what I did.But maybe they already knew or didn’t know and someone who knew got to them and swayed them to join the dark side.
Maksim didn’t work for me at the time, but he knew the unique set up of the security systems in my house. Ilya also knew the systems but was running an errand for me that night. If he’s legit, that’s the only reason he’s still alive because all the other guards were killed.
I don’t have proof of anything, only my suspicions and I know I won’t know who it was until they’re ready to reveal themselves because traitors never leave breadcrumbs, they stab you in the back the moment you turn around.
Choosing Maksim and Ilya to lead the Brotherhood with me was more about keeping my enemies closer than my friends. So, I will continue to run things the way I usually do, but I’ll sleep with my eyes open and my gun in my hand.
Resting my elbows on the shiny surface of my mahogany desk, I try to focus as Maksim reads the last of the financial reports.
We’re making more money than ever before, and the future looks bright with the connections we’ve formed in Europe and South America.
At least I don’t have to worry about anything to do with the business. It’s safe to say business is thriving.
“Okay, now that that’s over, what about the clients?” I ask in English, switching over from our prior discussion in Russian. It’s habit for us to switch back and forth.
“There might be a potential problem with one of them,” Maksim replies but unlike my accent which sounds more American with an edge of Russian, his Russian accent is thicker.
My brows lower as I meet his potent stare. Potential problem always means he suspects something is off.
“What is the problem?”