Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
He had a foolproof plan now to rid himself of Gorya Amurov, and at the same time, he was going to either bind the traitors in his community or have them killed as well. Leo Bugrov would be the first to go, and every one of the others would know exactly what had happened to his wife and daughter. The rest of them would know what would happen to their precious families if they crossed him. As it was, he would be taking their businesses and most of their money. Let them see what it was like to cross him.
Albert Krylov was seated to his right at the table, something never done, bringing an outsider in. Braum wished he could make Albert pakhan. Or adviser. The man was honed as sharp as a razor blade, but he still missed things, making him malleable. Braum sat back in his chair, once more looking around at the prospects who were talking in low tones to one another. With Albert, it made thirty-one sitting with him. A good solid number.
None of them, including Krylov, realized he had chosen his son’s college because Raul Escabar Alba was attending that school. He had instructed Derk to cultivate a friendship with the boy, a slow one, not making it seem as if that relationship was his idea. Raul had taken the bait when Derk had talked about his home in the Atchafalaya Swamp.
Krylov did his research. He had a private connection no one knew about that he sometimes used to gather information. That researcher had found a mysterious family located in Panama, one he was certain was the power behind the trafficking. He wanted in. Raul Escabar Alba was his way in. It just had to be their idea. Negotiations were always important.
He pushed down feelings of smugness and pride. He might be a brilliant man now, but he hadn’t been when he was young. There was always more to learn. Always more to do.
Without warning, not even from his leopard, the doors to the conference room swung open—and there were three of them; two were double doors—and Gorya and his security waltzed right in as if they owned the place. Braum cursed under his breath. His own security should have notified him, but there wasn’t the slightest warning. He didn’t allow his shock to show on his face as he assessed the situation.
The security team included Gorya’s cousin Timur. He hadn’t personally met Timur Amurov, but the man’s reputation preceded him. He was a big man who didn’t try to hide the killer in him. Wide shoulders. Thick, roped muscles rippling down his back, arms and chest if he moved at all. His face bore scars, and the lines were carved deep all the way to his strong jaw.
He shifted his gaze to Gorya. He could see why so many underestimated Gorya Amurov if they saw him next to his cousin. He was built differently. Leaner, although if one looked, muscle ran densely beneath his skin. He was extremely handsome, where Timur had scars on his face and looked rough as hell. Gorya seemed charming and very young by comparison, although they were reputed to be close in age. Timur looked the part of a mobster while Gorya did not.
Braum looked beyond all that charm. Gorya was Amurov. There was no doubt in his mind. He was ruthless and cunning, and judging from the reports of his leopard’s ability, he was lightning fast. Everyone else might underestimate him, but Braum wasn’t going to make that mistake.
“Gorya, welcome,” he greeted, making as if to rise from his chair.
Gorya waved him to his seat. “A meeting without your pakhan, Braum?”
“I like to clarify things before I bring them to you. It’s much better to have all the books in order and know details so you don’t have to be bothered with them,” Braum replied smoothly. It was a lie and yet not quite one.
“Four o’clock in the morning seems a little early and smacks of something altogether different.” Gorya looked around the table. “Not all the heads of the businesses are here. Why is that, I wonder?”
Braum noted that Gorya’s security force had spread out around the table behind the chairs, covering the room. It bothered him that none of his security had entered. He had to assume they were incapacitated—or dead. His leopard hadn’t responded to him when twice he had reached for him. There were dozens of shadows in the room, and he was certain Gorya had more of his security force hidden within them. How the man was blocking him from speaking to his leopard, he couldn’t imagine, but he needed the animal to confirm it.
“I already know where they stand, Gorya, and can give you that information.” That much was the truth. If the present pakhan was capable of reading lies, he couldn’t be caught in that lie. Hopefully Gorya would be confused and believe all he was saying. He willed those at the table to stay silent and let him handle everything.