The local familia — the same men we’d encountered at the boutique — hadn’t taken it well. They had held this ground for generations and, while they had lost it on paper, men like this did not simply accept defeat.
They still held significant power here and they weren’t openly challenging — not yet — but pressing nonetheless. Testing and waiting for weakness on our part.
I could respect that. We’d do the same if the situation was reversed.
But then our shipments started getting hit.
Every single one was delayed or disrupted in some way. Containers were rerouted, manifests were altered and deliveries arrived either half-empty or not at all. It’s enough to hurt business. Enough to send a message.
Conveniently, the finger of blame was pointing straight at them.
This dispute was spiraling out of control. If the Bratva looked weak here — if I looked weak — this territory wouldn’t stay mine for long.
I was doing my best to avoid an all-out war, but sometimes there simply was no conversation to be had. Sometimes all you had left was action to get your point across.
Addy did not yet understand there were times when it was impossible to avoid spilling blood.
“She assumes people are people,” Kyrill continued. “Not factions.”
“That assumption will get her killed.”
“And you?”
I held his gaze. “I will not allow that.”
He exhaled softly. “You can’t cage her, bratan.”
“I’m not caging her,” I snarled.
“You’re attempting to.” He shrugged. “Same difference.”
As always, there was no accusation in his tone; he was merely observing.
“She’s my weakness,” I said, stating the obvious.
“Those sure are inconvenient.”
I chuckled. “Yeah. Tell me about it.”
“And fatal, if mishandled.”
“Yes.”
There was a pregnant pause. Kyrill was one of the few people in this world who truly understood what was going on inside me.
My best friend pushed off the desk. “At least she’s with you.”
“For now.”
He huffed a quiet laugh. “You think she will betray you?”
“I think she will try tohelpin one way or another.”
“Ah.” He walked toward the door, then paused. “We’re dealing with very different problems.”
“All I know is, you’ve got several,” I teased, raising an eyebrow mockingly.
“Fucker,” he grumbled. “My problem isn’t having weakness. At least not right now. Mine is … really fucking shitty timing.”