IVAN

I'm at my office when I receive a call. I stand up, paperwork forgotten. So much for getting anything done today. At this point I'll have to hire another PA just to deal with this.

I don't bother with a greeting, I just pick up the phone. "Do you really have nothing to do?" I asked. "Am I on your speed dial or something, Zoya?"

"Ivan," the voice on the other line growls out. "Is that how you greet me, you two faced bastard?!"

It's not Zoya. Which is a relief but not really. Arlo is annoying me, I'd rather he just shoot me than call me at the weirdest hours of the day.

"Is there a reason that the Commission is barking at my door like a bunch of mad dogs?"

"Your dear father left me no choice, Arlo." I said coldly. "I don't want to go to war but you're not leaving me much of a choice either. You shouldn't have touched Nik."

I hear him laugh, it sounded hollow to my ears. It unnerved me sometimes how nothing phased him as it phased me. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "You stupid prick!" He hisses through the speaker. "Nik shouldn't have been in our territory!"

I scoffed, glaring at the view of the Hudson River. "Nik was in our territory! If you were half as smart as your father you'd known that! You think I'll let you walk in and fuck up my brother? Not happening! Especially when I'm alive, you rat faced backstabbing bastard!' I growled out.

Another threat, another fight. I was getting sick and tired of dealing with this man. The war had started the moment Zoya put a hit on me. In my eyes, it was open season.

Arlo went silent, I could only hear the sound of his breathing. I stared out across the New York skyline, waiting for his answer——whatever it is.

"You're nothing like your father, Ivan."

And I closed my eyes and pretended those words didn't affect me but then I would be lying. I hated those words. It's all I've ever heard since he died.

You're not strong like him. You're not wise as him. You're father would've done this. You're father would've done that.

You're father would've kept your family safe.

I was tired of it. So fucking tired. I let out a laugh that sounded mad to my own ears. "You're right, Arlo! I am not my father."

"He was better at accepting deals." He said. "He put duty before emotion."

"Let me correct you about the man you call my father, asshole. My father was a criminal. He put money above everything else. No matter the cost." I snapped at him. "I am too. I've done things I'm not proud of. I am not a good man. But right now, My family is where it is today because I made it that way. My family can hold their heads up high because of me. This company has clawed its way through the markets because I chose to fight. Not my dad, not his countless 'advisors' and certainly not you." I growled. "I've bled for this company and if you think I'll hand it over to you because you threaten my board members, sabotage, and try to kill me—which by the way you failed at—— then forget about it. It's you or me, make a choice. I made mine."

"You'll regret this, Ivan. Dont be naive. I tried to be nice!"

"NICE!" I exploded. I'm sure people could hear me outside of the door but I didn't care. Eddie stuck his head into my office and quickly ducked out. "I didn't know nice was trying to kill me several times."

"It's called a warning."

"Yeah. I got that." I spat the words out like poison."Don't delude yourself. You can't touch me. You couldn't even lay a finger on me without crying to your father about it."

"And what about that young lady you're seeing?" He asked, lowering his voice. I could hear voices in the background but it wasn't clear enough for me to identify them. Jio Whoever was listening in on this call would most likely report back to the Council if they haven't already. "Oh dear, have I struck a nerve? The great Ivan Farewell is finally speechless."

Oh god. Meera.

The fear over clouded my anger for a moment, just a moment. And then it receded like a low tide. I gripped the phone in my hands, I could hear the cracks forming on the screen.

"Do not go down this road with me. If you want to fight me...Do it face to face."

"What fun would there be in that?" He asked. "I want to see you squirm and bleed as I take everything away with you. And I think I'll start with her. She has such a pretty face, it would be a pity if anything happened to it."

"Then I'll kill you." I said, seething.

I knew I would. I've done it before for my father and Anya, I could do it again. Even for Meera.

"Would you?" He hummed. I could imagine him in that dark penthouse, glaring across the buildings at me. "You'd kill for a mere woman. You didn't even try to kill me over your own father."

"He made his choices. I'm making mine."

"What a pity. You'd have made a fearsome gangster."

"I'm a business man."

"Same thing, Ivan." Arlo said, I could hear the grin in his voice. "One it'll be you and I. Until then, Try to your darling little woman safe, because when I get my hands on her it it's going to pretty.  "

"Keep dreaming, Arlo." I hung up and hurled the phone at the nearest wall. It fell to the carpet in a mangled and broken heap.

Fuck.

I collapsed into a chair, putting my head in my hands and taking a deep breath in and out. Everything around me in hyperdrive, I'm acutely aware of every single thing and it's driving me insane. The anger remained ingrained in my brain, I couldn't let it go. Hatred was choking me, causing me to lose focus and drive. I had been doing well to not let Zoya underneath my skin but here I was in my office with my head in my hands and everything I wanted to protect at the risk of falling apart in my own hands.

I feel like I fucked up.

I could hear the sound of Anya's heels and the murmurs outside the door ceased.  I could hear Eddie's deep baritone voice outside my door, trying to explain something to her.

The door swung open quickly as it was closed. I didn't need to look up...and I didn't want to. I didn't want to see Anya's face.

"Anya," I said, glaring down at the cheap grey coloured carpet of my office. "We're going to war."

The silence when those words left my mouth was as loud as my heartbeat rushing into my ears. I could hear the shock and hesitance in her voice as she spoke with a trembling voice.  

"No," she said, sinking down in the seat opposite of me. She still had her coat and scarf on. "I don't understand, the council should be keeping him in check. But we're not—-"

"We've always operated a grey zone. You and I both knew that when we started this whole thing." I said, lifting my head up. "And Zoya's left us no choice. The council refused to help."

"And if it spills out?" She asked sharply, her eyebrows raised up to her hairline. 'What about the civilians? This whole city will become a blood bath!"

I sighed. I could feel the incoming store on the horizon. Out side my window, the city looked so peaceful from up hear but I knew better than most that it was a powder keg ready to explode. "They'll have to choose. Me or Zoya. But I have a feeling they'll choose him."

"Bastards, the whole fucking lot of them!" she screeched, picking up something fragile and hurling it at the wall I could hear it shatter, glass pieces scattering the floor and reflecting the sunlight that spilled into the office. "After all dad has done. All that dirty work and laundering——he kept most of their fucking secrets and cleaned up their messes! He was a member of the Commission!"

"The Commission is only loyal to themselves." I pointed our. "And they don't like outsiders." I got up, running my hands through my hair. I knew it was a mess but I didn't care. Zoya had a plan, and now I needed one to take him down. I had to figure put where to start before this spiraled out of control. "Anya, I'm sorry. This is my fault."

"How?" she huffed, furiously texting on her phone. "You did what you thought to keep us and the family safe. If you didn't, there'd be nothing left. This......this is better than nothing, Ivan. I'd rather have some family than none."

"Others don't see it that way."

"We have those who do. And thankfully they're loyal."

I nod and say, "I know who'll be going after now. He going after board first. Some members have already left, this who are left are vulnerable."

"I can't assign details. Keep an eye on them."

"Thats not enough." I frowned. "I need background details about every single one, even the most loyal. I need to call out the rats."

"It won't be easy."

"Better than nothing."

"Ivan, what else is bothering you?"

"It's Meera——I mean, Dr. Saravana." I could feel her staring at me. "Zoya knows about her—-"

"He what?!" I felt her nail dig into my shoulder painfully as she squeezed hard.

"——He's going after her."

"God, You idiot!" Anya pressed her face into her hands, muffling a groan. "I told you to be careful! Why didn't you listen to me?"

"We were." I said, sinking back down into my seat "Or I thought I was."

"Clearly not enough!" She hissed. "She's been through enough. I'm trying to protect her and now I can't!"

"What do you——"

"Forget it! I'm assigning her a detail too." Anya growled through her teeth. She pushed her hair back, a look of contempt and fury in her normally clear eyes. She fishes out her cell phone from her back, searching through the numbers; "I'm sure Nat can keep an eye on her as well. If anyone wants to hurt Meera in her own home, they'll have to get past Nat."

"Wait!"

"What?"

I take the phone from her hand and hold it to my chest. I cradled it in my hand like it's most precious thing in the world. "I want to tell her myself."

Anya gives me a glare that would stop a rampaging elephant. I can't practically see the wheels in her head turn as she formulated the pros and cons.

It's nerve wracking when she's like this.

"You just can't leave well enough alone," she snaps, her words feels like a whip lashing against my skin but she's right. "I'll figure something out. You tell her. It's your mess, fix it!" She hissed the last words at me.

I dialed in her number and waited, the ringing going on for what seamed like forever. At the very last ring she picked up.

"Hello?"

I held the phone with both hands, turning away from Anya's watchful gaze.

"Meera."

"Ivan?" I heard the sound of shuffling in the background and a door slam. "Hi! How are you?" She asked cheerfully, sounding a bit breathless. "You didn't get hurt, did you?"

"I'm okay," I assured her. I could imagine her eyebrows scrunching together in a disapproving way. "I swear I haven't hurt myself."

"That's good news." She said. "But I have a feeling you're going to tell me bad news."

Across the room, Anya motioned with my hands to continue as she softly talked on her other phone.

"I need to say something." I said quickly, my breath trapped in my lungs. "Look, this isn't going to be easy."

There was a best a silence and then she spoke in a slow and carful tone. "Ivan, what's going on?"

"Sweetheart, listen to me carefully," I said, stressing each word. I needed her to listen to me. "Things aren't going to be safe anymore. You know what my family is like—not my biological family but my—"

"Ivan," she interrupted me gently, skipping over my precious endearment. "I know. You don't have to say it."

I internally breathed a sigh of relief. Good, hard part is over.

"Okay, listen to me. You need to be careful. Don't stay out late. Don't be alone. And especially don't talk to anyone who looks suspicious. If you don't feel safe, call me or Nat or Anya."

"Ivan?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" She asked before I could end the call. "You don't sound okay to me?"

I smiled humorlessly. "No, sweetheart. I'm not okay."

"Can I.....can I come and see you?"

I glanced over at Anya who shook her head. "I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Okay," I could hear the hesitation in her voice as she struggled to end the conversation. I could understand. I just wanted to hear her voice too, just to know that she was healthy and alive on the other and vice versa for her. "But if anything happens——"

"I'll call you." I said. "Okay? I promise."

She laughed. It was such a beautiful sound, even though I couldn't see her right now I could imagine the way her lips curved upwards and the dimples in her cheeks. "Okay," she said. "Don't forget, Ivan."

"I won't."

I cut the call and placed the phone back on the table. My face felt warm and my chest felt tight, it was like being in pain but only the emotional aspects of it.

I hated my self but I adored her.

Anya finished her call, saying goodbye in her melodic French before turning towards me with her hands on her hips.

"Sweetheart?" She asked incredulously. "What the hell is that?"

I slid my glasses back on and got back to work ignoring her. "It's not important."

"Not important." Anya scoffed in disbelief. "You're in too deep, Ivan. I don't know what else to tell you."

"Don't tell me anything then," I snapped.

She just gave me a cold glare. "I warned you."

That's all she said before picking up her bag and slamming the door closed. The handle rattled due to the force and all I could hear was the audible click of her heels and the angry muttering that disappeared down the hallway.

I'd probably have to pay for that later.

I typed out a quick message to Meera Before I tucked my phone away.

Call me if you need me

I'll be there

She typed back immediately

Don't make promises that you can't keep

Stay safe

I sat down in my office chair, swiveling away from the desk and facing the window.

This whole city was going to turn into a bloodbath. I could see the lines that were being drawn in the streets below. I wondered if the people of this city knew what was going to happen; would they panic or would they flee? How many of them would be caught in the crossfire of our sick games.

I leaned forward, my head in my hands. I could bear the sight of the city so I stared down at the cheap carpet of my office.

For the first time in a long time, I felt fear. I didn't fear anger or grief, I just felt this bottomless pit of fear. There was so much at stake for me; my family, my business, and now—-Meera.

If I wasn't carful, I could lose everything in one fell swoop.

Who knows what would happen to my family after that? They wouldn't be safe anymore, Anya and Nik would be the first ones to die after me and the rest would fall like neatly stacked dominos.

It was time to stop pretending . I have to put away Ivan——the good man——and Ivan Farewell—-Son of George Farewell; cold hardened criminal and ruthless killer.

Enough was enough.

I needed to reconcile the two parts of myself, even if it meant spilling blood to do so.

The war had officially started.