Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
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.
“Now you come into my meeting and make a mockery of Lyoshenka for all to see? To offend his wife in front of the brothers? You are aware of the consequences for such actions. And if it were anyone else, you would not have done so.”
It is true my father knows the consequences. This is why he remains unapologetic when he meets my gaze. He is aware there is no avoiding it now. And the only thing he has left is his pride, which he will not sacrifice at any cost.
“He is defective,” Sergei replies. “Worthless. He is no son of mine.”
Viktor reaches for his phone and taps out a message to one of his soldiers, the room silent while we wait for what comes next. After a few moments, a Boyevik appears with the shears, passing them off to Viktor.
“Nikolai,” Viktor says. “You will do the honors.”
Nikolai glances at Sergei and receives his nod of approval. Then he takes the shears from Viktor and reaches for his hand.
“No,” Viktor stops him. “Not the fingers.”
Sergei tries to hide the fear on his face, but it’s there. He meets Viktor’s gaze, wordless, as he waits for his punishment. Even I am not breathing, and I know Nikolai is not either.
“An ear,” Viktor says.
The room is quiet. For a long moment. But Nikolai does not delay any further, and Sergei does not protest.
I watch as my father tries to remain stoic while Nikolai cuts off his ear. It does not last for very long. Like the coward he is, the pain brings him to his knees. It is only Nikolai that I feel a small pang of regret for. This will certainly drive a wedge between them as Viktor intended.
But an order from the pakhan will never be questioned or ignored, by anyone. And Nikolai does not deserve my sympathies.