Ghost (Boston Underworld #3) - A. Zavarelli Page 0,49
for far too long.
That his defective son should rank higher than him in his own organization is something he will never accept. While he remains a captain- an Avtoritet- his rank will never go any higher. I am invaluable to Viktor. It should not come as a surprise to him. He set the bar for me when he cast me and my mother onto the street. When he set the course of her fate, he also set mine.
I was always destined to prove my worth. To serve as the constant reminder of what he did. Of how he had been wrong about me. And it gives me enormous pleasure to see that ugly twisted sneer on his face every time he looks my way.
“I do not believe that it will come down to that,” Viktor states. “Arman knows better than to try to take on the Reds. There is only one reason a man would ever surround himself with so many weapons.”
I meet my father’s gaze and nod my agreement. “Because he is a little bitch.”
His reply is filled with equal venom.
“I hope you are certain.” He slaps Nikolai on the back and beams at him proudly. “Because I would not send my only son into battle for you, let alone your worthless whore wife.”
What happens next is a complete loss of my self-control. I am used to the insults he directs towards me. But Talia is another matter altogether.
I don’t realize what is happening until Viktor pulls me off him and calms me down. Nikolai helps Sergei to his feet, and he spits a bloodied tooth onto the floor while he glances over at me. His finger is shaking when he points in my direction.
“I am done with him, Viktor,” he roars. “Enough is enough. I don’t want to see him here again.”
“You are right,” Viktor states calmly. “Enough is enough. Everyone out.”
The remaining Vory filter out of the room, leaving only Viktor and I on one side, and Nikolai and Sergei on the other.
When the door is shut and the room is silent, Viktor’s gaze moves over Sergei. And while he has always maintained a cool manner, right now his disgust is obvious. And though it should not, as Viktor has always been loyal to me, it comes as a surprise.
I was out of line, hitting Sergei in a business meeting. Goading him in front of all the other Vory. But it is clear at this moment, it is not me who Viktor wishes to speak to.
“Tell me what you do for this brotherhood,” he says to Sergei.
My father’s gaze moves to him, and he replies. “Everything that is asked of me. I am only loyal to the Vory.”
“It is correct that you do everything that is asked of you,” Viktor answers. “But you are not loyal to the Vory. You are not loyal to the code of which we live by.”
Sergei has the good sense to keep his mouth shut while Viktor goes on.
“You do not value family. And is that not one of our most important values?”
“I do value my son,” my father answers.
“Ah, yes.” Viktor moves his gaze from Nikolai to me. “But you have two sons. One which you have discarded and disowned. And left me to take on the role of a father figure in his life. Is this how you honor your family?”
The room falls silent, and I cannot meet my father’s gaze. His shame.
We do not speak of this. Ever.
Even when I explained my situation to Viktor and was inducted into the brotherhood, we did not speak of it. We were all aware of the situation, but the topic has been avoided. Until now.
And it is clear to me, I am not the only one who wishes it to remain buried.
“And your wife?” Viktor goes on. “What of her? You made a mockery of her for all to see. Bringing your mistresses into your own home. To sleep in your marital bed? And then casting her out on the street with your son.”
The temples in my head are aching. And I want Viktor to stop. But he is the pakhan. And neither Sergei or I would dare to question him right now. I know all of these things to be true. And speaking of them will not breach the divide between us. But Viktor seems to think it is necessary.
And as he is like a father to me, I trust his judgment.