sure Zahkar was going to figure out what the Knights of Babylon wanted and then destroy that photo.”
“I believe Zahkar didn’t have possession of the picture either, not until the Knights of Babylon brought it to him. You stabbed him good. Zahkar could never lie through pain.”
“So, someone gave him the picture as a threat—”
“And more misdirection came. He killed one of your men. That put a pause to brotherhood business.”
“And no new monkeys appeared.”
“Rolan assumed only Fela could have had that picture in the first place. None of the living would want a copy. None of the dead would have passed that legacy down besides Zahkar’s father, Adrik who was killed by Fela.”
She ran her fingers through her hair. “But, let’s think about this. When we were in France with the kidnapping, no dead animals showed up. We returned. No dead animals. Then, we’re dealing with the miscarriage, the war with the French, and even the doctor’s visit. No dead animals. We go to Prague for the funeral. Still, nothing. It wasn’t until after the first brotherhood meeting where the disruption started back up.”
“Misdirection. We turned our attention to something else.”
“The French returned.”
“And there were no dead animals.” I nodded. “We’re busy looking at what they want us to focus on.”
“Who’s in control of Sasha’s territory right now, especially Italy?”
“No one. That’s what has been the problem. All of our assets have been open. The few men Sasha had left are probably down there, fattening their pockets, but no one is truly in charge.”
“Rolan and you talked about Black Axe trying to take over the Cocaine Capitol. If you’re busy and no longer mediating discussions, would it help Black Axe gain control?”
“Definitely. The Italian mafia and the brotherhood have a long history. If the Sicilian’s Cosa Nostra needed help, I would rage war on any of their enemies. The brotherhood and the Sicilians are as close to gangster bffs as two groups could be.”
She grinned. “I’m kind of surprised. I see you both as very different.”
“Yes. The Italians have a strong set-in-stone hierarchical structure. We Russians have a looser association and less structure. It allows us to pop up, disappear, and then pop up again, while the Italians are more grounded and set in.”
“Or are you just bias?”
“That could be true but make no mistake. The Italians aren’t church ladies. The classic mob is a scary being to behold. Dealing with them provides all the trappings of politeness and civility, but with brutality lurking just underneath the surface like a shark, ready to drown and bleed you when you’re not looking.”
“Who do you think are more violent—Russians or Italians?”
“We are. We are also more unpredictable. Italians wouldn’t hurt or threaten government authorities without a vote from the head of their families and a long discussion. We wouldn’t care or think twice. For us, no one is above the brotherhood. No one would be given a second thought.”
“Then, if I was Black Axe, I would want to work more with the Italians than you. It sounds like the brotherhood is more violent and less stable. I would want to keep you all out of the mix as much as possible.”
“That is why many use the Italians as a middleman, when dealing with us. And they keep us as mediators.”
“This makes sense. In New York, I’ve seen the Russians and mob work together sometimes.”
“Yes. In the USA we work together very well, especially in prison. And when the Soviet Union collapsed, Russians who fled to Brighton Beach, New York had assistance from the top Italian families.”
“So. . .the Italians probably wouldn’t be distracting us?”
“No. At least not the Sicilians. They would want my focus in Italy. Who knows what Sasha had going on in Italy or even what deals he may have made? And at this time, I’m sure Fela is taking advantage of my disregard to this matter.”
“Fuck.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I don’t want this to have anything to do with Fela.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“But Zakhar’s father had him in chains. That makes me have a sense of loyalty to Fela.”
“Perhaps, that was exactly what Fela was looking for. This is why he chose that sort of distraction.” Everything began to fit together. “Who else would understand his dealings with the racist Russians, but a black woman? After we killed Sasha, whispers of the lion and mouse rose. Many sought to find out who the mouse was. Even Jean-Pierre had spies trying to figure out