the monkey head people.”
“He could be. As soon as you started recruiting the men in Kapotnya, the monkey heads arrived.”
“But then what about the Knights of Babylon?”
“They could be involved, or Abram could have put the symbol there to have me looking somewhere else.”
Emily sipped her water.
Our main waiter came and placed my vodka on the table.
I ordered the tasting menu for the both of us.
Half bowing, he took our menus and left.
Emily gave me a worried glance. “How do we figure out if Abram is involved or not? The clock is ticking with the brothel since I shot Erik.”
“Oh, so now you want to consult me?”
She frowned. “He was poisoning the community—”
“And are you going to kill every one of my brothers that poison a community? If so, you’ll need my bombs to deal with it.”
“I know you’re the Bratva, not the boy scouts, but krokodil was rotting young kids in my district. Abram shouldn’t have lied about that or the brothel.”
“If Abram had told me, I would’ve made him end it. His hiding it was disrespectful.” I smiled. “That’s why I’m not too concerned with your killing his cousin or ending the drug house. He won’t come to me about this. And if you ruin that brothel, he’ll figure out a way to deal with you, without his hands getting dirty. That is what has me concerned.”
She tapped the table. “Do you want me to end the war with him?”
Of course I did, but would that stop her? Part of the reason why I loved Emily was due to her independence and stubbornness. She would listen to me for now due to the pregnancy, but I didn’t want to push her. With my mouse, I had to fight the right battles at the right time.
And at this moment, Abram was not as big a threat as the monkey head guy or the possible involvement of the Knights of Babylon. Better she focuses on Abram, then concentrate on them.
I placed my hands on the table and threaded my fingers together. “Behind his back, Abram is called the Vulture.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“When I was a child, my mother once told me about vultures and how they catch their prey. A creature dies, and vultures with their keen sense of smell, can detect the corpse from a mile away. They assemble together and fly in a continuous circle around the creature until it is decided to go in for the feasting.”
“Do you see Abram as a vulture?” she asked.
“He was always an opportunist in the darkest ways. Taking from weak. Hurting the poor. Robbing from anyone, even his own family. But in the brotherhood, those skills get you promoted.”
“Has Abram ever been a problem for you?”
“Not until today.”
“And his men?”
“They’re considered vultures too.” I took a sip of my vodka. “Be careful. Vultures don’t just swoop down and devour the dead. It’s a ceremony. I’ve always thought it was strange that these wicked birds would create a ritual around a rotting carcass for minutes before perfecting the ideal time to devour.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“You don’t make any more moves without me.”
“Fine. Then, I’ll tell you now. I’m going to shut down that brothel this week.”
“Mysh.” I frowned. “Be sure there are no vultures perched at the door waiting to feed on you. These women in the brothel are prey. That’s how he sees you too. Act swift and accordingly. Furthermore, I want you to tell me everything.”
“I will. I promise.”
“And David and Pavel move with you.” I wanted to be at her side, but if she was going to knock Abram down, she had to do this on her own.
Or can I interfere? How do I play this out right?
“Fine. I’ll use them. I have something else to bring up.” She picked up her pocketbook, dug into it, and brought out a black and white photograph. “The men that killed Yuri and his mother, I think they were looking for this picture.”
I took the image and studied it.
Dear God.
My heart beats increased.
Emily spoke, “Do you recognize anyone in that picture?”
In the black and white photograph, six men stood in suits. A few had tattoos peeking out of the jackets from their wrists and near their collars. One of the men held a chain. On the other end, a naked black man sat on all fours on the floor.
I didn’t want to deal with this, but I knew I had to. Things were finally starting to make since. I flipped the picture over.