“If,” Kolya says. “Ifyour witness is credible.Ifyour documents are real. If, if, if.”
A wicked smile spreads across his face as he continues.
“You want my opinion? You used the tragic circumstances of the Fetisov family to stake a claim to my territory. I’m sure it was easy to fabricate documents, pay off lab technicians, and bring in this girl as a prop.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I want to launch myself across the table and strangle him.
“Bullshit,” Gabriel snarls. “You know the truth, Kolya. You know damn well who she is. You know what you did.”
“You’re right. I do know what I did,” he says. “I took what was left of the Fetisov Bratva and prevented it from falling into total chaos in the wake of the tragedy. Listen, Gabriel, you’ve brought a bit of theater to what is typically a rather dreary meeting. But this is just a story. Stories aren’t proof.”
Ivan leans forward. “The full council will determine what constitutes proof,” he says. “That’s not a decision for tonight.”
Gabriel’s jaw tightens. Kolya grins. He likes where this is going.
I suppose I imagined the men around the table immediately turning on Kolya, that revealing who I was would be a bombshell, and that there would be no denying Gabriel’s evidence.
But these men aren’t convinced. That, or they’re too afraid to be.
“We’ll meet again in three weeks,” Ivan says, “to discuss this matter further. In the meantime, we’ll review the evidence. Until then, this matter is tabled.”
“Ivan—” Gabriel leans forward.
“Tabled, Gabriel,” Ivan says. “Those are the rules. You know them as well as I do.”
Gabriel is silent for a long moment. Then he nods.
“Understood.”
I can’t take it anymore.
“You tried to buy me!” I say, pointing at Kolya. “You wanted to buy me so badly that night at the auction. Why, if you weren’t scared of who I am?”
There’s chatter among the men. Gabriel says nothing.
If Kolya is shaken, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he snorts in amusement.
“Yes, I did want to buy you,” he admits. “That’s what the night was all about, wasn’t it? Bidding on lovely objects, taking them home for fun. I may not have purchased you, but Ididget your friend. She’s been quite the little plaything.”
Sylvie.
“You goddamn pig!”
The chatter grows louder.
Kolya chuckles. “Trust me,” he says. “I’ve been taking good care of her. If only you knew—you’d be wishing you were in her place.”
I want to leap across the table and claw his eyes out. I open my mouth to scream at him, but before I can get a word out, Gabriel takes my hand.
“Gentlemen, thank you again for your time,” he calmly says. “I look forward to speaking with all of you further on the matter.”
I am burningwith rage, but I know Gabriel’s move is the smart one. He guides me out of my seat, my legs shaking. We move toward the door.
“A moment, Gabriel,” Kolya says, “before you leave.”
I feel Gabriel’s hand tighten on mine.
“The girl stays.”