entered the elevator. While I was curious about whatever Reid had learned, I had a more pressing concern. As we all stepped into the concrete hallway on 2, I stopped, reaching for Sparrow’s arm.
Reid activated the sensor and the steel door began to move.
Sparrow turned my way. “We have business in there.”
The other two entered our secure command center, but I didn’t move. “What did you say?”
His dark eyes narrowed. “To my sister in private?”
“To my wife.”
“I told her to cut the Mr. Sparrow bullshit and call me Sterling. I gave her some family history.” When I didn’t respond, he added, “I also welcomed her to our home, as your wife and my sister.”
“That’s all?” I asked, not unhappy with his answer.
“No, I informed her that Genevieve would loathe her existence and that it didn’t matter. I thought she should be prepared.”
“So there’s no family reunion planned?”
Sparrow scoffed. “Didn’t you see the daggers my wife sent my way? I would be sleeping in a spare room if I pushed for that.”
I grinned. “Right, and there’s no going over your head.”
“Fucking right there isn’t.”
Being on a timer, the steel door was again closed, leaving us in the hallway between the elevator and entrance. I lifted my hand to the scanner and it once again opened. We both stepped in and halted, taking in the image on one of the screens high above. The picture was that of a crime scene, complete with the yellow police tape. The body wasn’t covered, so we could see blood pooled around a dead man.
“He looks vaguely familiar,” I said, taking a few steps closer and zeroing in on his face. The reality was that no one looked the same in death. Television and movies made it appear as if they did, as if they were sleeping. The reality was much harsher. While the heart immediately ceased pumping blood throughout the circulations, and in the case we were seeing, the victim obviously shot, the blood remaining in the tissues over time settled, making the tissues swell and flesh discolor, usually to deep shades of purple.
“Nikita Gorky,” Reid said. “This and other crime scene photos were sent to us from one of our capos in Detroit. According to him and his men, it’s getting heated.”
“I guess that answered our question of Gorky or Bykov,” Sparrow said. “Interesting that someone would be so sloppy, leaving his corpse out to be found.”
“It’s a warning,” Mason said. “I’d bet Ivanov ordered the hit or did it himself. He’s telling the rank and file he will kill anyone who tries to make his bratva their own.”
“Can we find any evidence of Gorky working with Hillman?” I asked, finally able to fully concentrate on what was happening around us.
Mason shook his head. “Fuck, when Club Regal reopens there need to be cameras. I think I recall seeing the two of them in an in-depth conversation before the final round of the tournament. Was Hillman recruiting Gorky for his side, or was Gorky staying true to Ivanov?”
“Had to be recruiting,” I said. “If Gorky had tipped off Ivanov, Hillman and Ivanov wouldn’t have traveled together to Elliott’s ranch. Ivanov sure as shit wouldn’t have sent Hillman to gather Ruby. I want the man dead, but I have a difficult time believing that even he would set Ruby up to be taken by Hillman.”
Reid nodded. “So Ivanov is down to one trusted man.”
“Looks that way,” Sparrow said. “Have our capo set up a meeting with Ivanov and another with Bykov. The fucking city of Detroit is going to implode over this if we don’t step in. We’ll offer Sparrows for the takeover.”
“Ivanov?” Mason asked.
“Yes,” Sparrow said. “I’m going to offer him a truce.”
My head snapped toward him. “You’re going to do what?”
“Offer a truce.”
“But you said you want him dead. Do you have any idea what he’s put—”
Sparrow lifted his hand. “I said I’d offer him one. He’ll take it or he won’t. If he does, moving our men into Detroit will be easier. If he doesn’t, we’ll cross that bridge. I said I’d offer it; I don’t plan on delivering it. The real offer is going to Bykov.”
I took a deep breath. “What if Bykov doesn’t take the bait?”
“Ivanov is still going down. With no leadership in place, the bratva folds, and it’s a damn crapshoot,” Sparrow said, “on who takes over. In that scenario, there will be more casualties and those will include civilians. I sure as fuck don’t want it making