hand around the room.
I scowl. “Do I look like I need a fucking hero?”
Petr retorts, “It isn’t about you needing a hero. It’s about Knight of the Round Table and loyalty or something.”
I chuckle inwardly. Ah, Corrie. She really rattled these guys. Who would’ve thought she had that fire in her?
“She’ll kill us if anything happens to you,” Kostya agrees.
I nod. Almost amused. “Most likely. But she’s not here right now. Now get out before I kill you myself.” I grin. I wouldn’t actually kill them. At least, probably not.
When Dr. Hardy and my lieutenants file out and the door shuts behind them, I take a deep breath, hold it for a three-count, then let it go. “Alright, Alek. What did you leave me?”
I lay the briefcase on its back and slide my hands over the cool leather. I recognize this briefcase. It was my father’s. And I know the combination to open it.
What I don’t know is how or why Alek had it. Or why it bothers me that he did.
Alek was my friend for years. The only person I confided in about Corrie. The man who showed me how to drink my sorrows away and still be able to shoot straight in the morning.
And now …
I sigh. I haven’t decided whether to search for him yet. Don’t know if I’d be able to pull the trigger, and the last thing I want is to be that weak guy who can’t handle the business. There’ll come a time, but now isn’t it. I tell myself that it doesn’t mean a fucking thing that I’m relieved.
The latch gives way as soon as I enter the numbers. More careful than I’ve ever been in my life and with steadier hands, I lift the top. Stacks of money in five-thousand-dollar bundles look up at me. What the hell is this from?
Sticking out of the pocket in the top of the case is an envelope with “Tomas” written in Alek’s tiny, fine print.
I want to read it, but I can’t afford to soften my stance against him anymore than I already have. Because there’s going to come a time when I have to send someone after him. He’ll have to answer for what he’s done. The betrayal. Murdering my father. His part in Corrie’s kidnapping. One way or another, this ends with a bullet in his head.
But not right now. Not just yet.
I reach for the envelope and stare at it for a full twenty seconds before I slide my finger under the flap and pull out the single sheet of paper inside.
Tomas,
There are so many things to say. You were my friend. My brother. And your father was like my father. The man I most looked up to in the world. With his dying breath, he cursed me. I expect you know that already, though.
I didn’t tell him Totti was threatening my baby. Didn’t tell him how much he meant to me. But I owe you my memories of his last minutes because he wanted me to tell you some things. You have his strength. His command. His respect. His love. Hard man or not, he loved you. And he was glad you came to find him even though it cost you the woman you love.
I’m sorry for what I’ve done, to you, to your family, to Corinne. The money won’t make up for that, or for betraying our friendship, but it’s all I have to give.
I’ve taken my family away now because I know you’re going to have to come for me eventually, and I have some making up to do with them before the time comes when we meet face-to-face again.
Your friendship has been an honor.
Aleksey
I crumple the letter in my fist. I miss the days when my emotions were shielded by a heavy wall of guilt, shame, and hate. Because this fucking hurts.
I pull a lighter from the drawer in the desk where my father sat most of his adult life.
Because I can’t give Alek the kiss of brotherhood on his left cheek and the kiss of death on the right, I press my face to the paper for a moment. Just a moment. Like saying goodbye.
Then I light it on fire and drop it into a wastebasket beside the desk.
The flame and little plume of smoke don’t reach high but the lights go off and an alarm starts blaring. With Corrie in charge of my security, cyber and household, I don’t worry about a break-in or an attack.