IVAN

I hated coming to this part of town. Everything around me made my skin crawl.

I lowered my sunglasses, glaring up at the building in front of me.

Zoya always had a flair for the dramatic but I didn't think it would be this annoying to deal with. I can't believe that I had to wait an entire fucking week just to meet with this asshole. If anything, he should be meeting with me. Despite what Anya said I swear I'm going to put a bullet in this man's head if he tries anything stupid today. My trigger finger twitched unconsciously just thinking about it.

Zoya practically lived in the building he owned. I had to strain my neck to get a glimpse of his infamous penthouse on the top.

Prick.

"Tch." Felix put out his cigarette, flicking it onto the pavement and crushing it with his heel. "Can you believe this guy?"

"Must be nice to have a skyscraper to look down on everyone." I scoffed. "Fucking asshole."

"Boss, you own one too." Felix pointed out.

I rolled my eyes but he couldn't see that from behind my sunglasses. "Not the point. At least I'm not pretentious about mine. Who puts their name on the building?"

"I don't know, Ivan. I could name a few." Nikolai got out of the car and glanced up at what I was glaring at. "Looks like a normal building to me. You're the one who wanted to meet him. Don't tell me you're regretting it now, Ivan."

Maybe Anya was right. This was a waste of time. Some people don't change. Zoya Orlovski was a tough piece of shit who lived life as if he was going to die the very next day. He had no inhibition, no self-preservation and no sense of wrong and right. He just did things and the consequences usually fell in his favour. He either was born with an enormous amount of luck or he had a silver tongue that got him out of trouble.

Lucky, slimy bastard. No one could get under your skin as he could. God, what I would do to just shoot him between the eyes?

He's been a thorn in my side ever since we established Farewell and Sons.

I've met him a handful of times before but the only reason I kept my temper in check. Dad handled him better than I ever could.

A small part of me wondered what dad would say if he saw me in front of Zoya's building. He'd probably cuss me out and yell at me for being weak. I don't know. The old man is dead now, his advice probably wouldn't help.

"We should have met on neutral ground," I muttered as I made my way to the revolving door.

"Then you have to involve the Council," Felix said. "And who wants to deal with a bunch of stuck-up assholes when you can just shoot the fucker in the face and be done with it."

"We're not here to kill him," I reminded him sharply.

Nikolai gives Felix a disapproving look. "Well, when the rest of the heads of the council can get their heads out of their asses, we can do that. But for now, let's just confront him on his grounds. It'll send a message."

"Don't remind me. I still think we should've brought more guards." I eyed some of his men as I was heading in. Each one of them had their eyes on me. "Fuck. Looks like this won't be quiet."

"No kidding."

The lobby of Zoya's building was luxurious. marbled floor and marbled walls with a high ceiling lined with chandeliers and glass. Almost gilded. It felt like I was walking into a swanky night club than a corporate building. Soft jazz played from the piano and several people in suits sat on the cushy couches, waiting to be called. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait for anyone. Ed and Nikolai flanked me as I cut across the lobby floor towards the main express elevator.

Two guards and a man dressed in a concrete-coloured suit were my welcome party. As I got closer, I noticed the tanned skin and dark eyes of Viktor Gorik. He stood up a little taller when we approached, his eyes shifting back and forth between the three of us. His face was bruised as if he had been in a bar brawl and come out winning.

"Victor." I greeted. I took off my glasses and tucked them away. "Anya told me you quit. You look well put together."

He looked blank-faced and bored as last time.  Not even a muscle on his face twitched. "Mr Farewell." He said in a monotone. If he weren't breathing, I would think that he was a robot. Everything about him was so mechanical that it made some people uneasy. "It is nothing personal. I go where I see a profit."

Nikolai smiled sharply at the thinly veiled insult and placed a hand on his shoulder as if he were an old friend. "Viktor! How's the day so far? No children to traffic? No drugs to cartel? You look bored. Did you do something to your hair? I could've sworn that it was long last time."

I just sighed, glancing at the purple bruises on his face. "Please tell me that isn't the guy whose jaw Nik nearly broke?" I asked under my breath.

"You don't want the answer to the question."

Viktor breathed out slowly through his nose and picked up Nikolai's hand with the tip of his fingers, giving him the coldest glare he could manage. I think that was the most I have ever seen him emote. "Please never ever touch me again. Mr Orlovski is expecting you." He then turned sharply and pressed the button for the elevator.

"Pleasant guy," Nik murmured. "Glad he could give us the time of day."

"You tried to break his jaw. I'm surprised he agreed to the meeting at all." I said. I glanced around the mezzanine till I spotted a camera in the corner pointed directly at us.

I lifted my hand and waved at it. I'm sure Zoya was watching us right now.

"And I'm surprised you're still alive after that stunt you pulled," Viktor said to me. "My boss wanted that hospital."

"Anya is smart. Farewells are resilient after all." I said, smiling cockily. "You would know that if you stayed with us instead of jumping ship."

"I'd rather have all my fingers and ribs broken than join your pitiful company." He murmured under his breath. "Only dogs, fools, and corpses would choose you."

"What was that?" Nik asked sharply. I clamped my hand down on his shoulder and pulled him back sharply.

I shouldn't have brought Nik if I knew he was going to be this irritated.

Viktor ignored him completely. The doors opened with a loud ding and he stepped in. "I hope your guests are well behaved today. The boss is in a mood." He addressed me. "The boss won't tolerate that kind of talk like I can. I suggest you keep your thought to yourself."

The or else was implied heavily.

Nikolai opened his mouth to say something clever but I cut in quickly. "I'm sure we can be civil, Gorik. After all, this is a civil dispute. It's business. You know how it is."

One of the guards cracked his knuckles loudly. I barely glanced at him.

"You Farewells are always trouble. As I said, please behave and make my job easier."

I stepped in after him, then Felix and Nik. The two guards got in last, blocking the door.

People said that the way to hell was down but for me, it was up. Nik was tense, he was like a powder keg about to explode. Felix on the other hand was calm but I could see his hand hovering over the gun on his hip. Maybe we should've brought more men. Anya would resurrect me from the dead and kill me again if anything happened here.

I quickly rid myself of that morbid thought. Zoya wouldn't kill me. Not here, not now. If he laid a hand on me then the council would make sure he was dead. For now, I was protected but I didn't know how long that would last. The thing with organized crime was that you never knew who would remain on top. It was an endless cycle of death and violence and petty vengeance. It was an endless, ceaseless wheel.

My father had fallen to that wheel. I had disregarded the wheel completely. And if I had it my way, I'd make sure Zoya was dead but I couldn't kill Zoya without starting a war. Too bad I had to settle for his hitman. Killing him had been satisfying. But It didn't bring my father back.

The last time the families fought each other was a decade ago when I was still in school. There was a point where dad forbade me from coming back into the city, it had gotten that bloody. Thankfully that had ended when my father and a few other bosses came to a tentative peace. Now that dad was dead, it seemed like that peace was about to shatter.

As we went up, I slipped into an emotionless part of myself. All the anxiety, anger, and doubt were stuffed away into a box. I couldn't afford to let those emotions steer me in the wrong direction.

Dad told me to face my enemies head-on. He told me running was for the weak and I was not weak. I had to remain objective. Even if Zoya was responsible for my father's death, even if I hated him with every fibre of my being, I had to endure that war didn't occur. I also had to ensure that he backed off from our territory and keep whatever was left of my family safe.

I could feel the fear melt away the higher we went up, all I felt was absolute resolution. The doors finally opened with a well-timed ding. The guards got out first, then Viktor and finally us. I could smell the cigars immediately along with a distinct sound of screaming. 

"Gentlemen, looking sharp," Nik said as he walked past the guards, unphased. "Geez, can't take a fucking joke.

"Please stop antagonizing them," I hissed. "I don't want to fish your body out of the Hudson because you can't shut up."

"But it's so fun."

Felix smacked him upside the head.

Zoya's penthouse had a decent view of the Hudson, overlooking the Hudson. The penthouse was two intersecting square-shaped floors with an open balcony. The floors were black marble, shiny and polished as my shoes. The walls were painted alternating colours of white and red, making it feel like the penthouse was trying to close around me like a velvet-lined box.

The sound of a man's scream sounded louder and louder with each footstep. I wondered what poor soul pissed off Zoya enough to scream that loud in pure agony.

I shrugged off the feeling of unease as we were led to the balcony.

The skyline of New York was a breathtaking sight, one would never get used to it. Clear blue skies and endless buildings. I could see why people would kill for such a thing.

There was another scream, louder this time that shattered the peaceful view. A man was on his knees in front of Zoya, all bloodied and begging. The ropes had cut into his skin, soaking them in his blood. His face resembled packaged beef. It was a gruesome scene. A lesser man would've lost their breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The man across from him held a black customized handgun gun with his initials carved into the hilt. The tip gleamed are the rays of sunlight touched it. I would recognize that gun from anywhere. And the man that held it. He was still the same man in his fifties with a head of silver and black hair. Zoya sat in a chair like it were a throne, his men flanking him. His lips formed into a deep scowl style the man before him spluttered something out in Russian. Whatever he said must've displeased him. Zoya gave him a chilling smile that was all teeth and terrible promise for things to come. I could see his silver tooth glinting. Just looking at him turned my stomach.

"Please! Please, Mr Orlovski! I didn't mean to—"

"Yes, I'm sure. We don't mean to do the thing we do but as humans, we are fallible." Zoya waved his words away and took a sip of his drink. The amber liquid sloshed in his glass like blood. "But you see, you made a fool out of me. I don't appreciate that."

"I'm so sorry! Please! I'll fix it! I'll return the money tenfold if you want——"

Zoya remained unmoved. His blue eyes were cold and unforgiving.

"I'm afraid you can't. If you can't pay your debts then your family will." He tilted his chin at one of his men.

The man silently moved across the room and delivered a savage kick. The bloodied man went down with a shriek of pain that turned into a groan as his head hit the floor. I felt sorry for him. Almost. Zoya picked up a bullet and loaded it into his gun. With practised fingers, he turned the safety off and cocked the gun. I knew what was going to happen next. I wanted to close my eyes and look away but I couldn't. In some twisted and fascinated way, I kept my gaze steady. I've seen Dad do it to people who've crossed him a thousand times. There's a small unpleasant thrill in watching someone's eyes as you point the gun at them. It's a part of the job but some enjoy it and others hate it. Zoya was a man who revelled in taking someone's life.

"As you know, I like making examples out of people. It's nothing personal. Just business."

"Wait!"

The sound of the gunshot was sudden and abrupt. The sound of the bullet entering the man's head and the splash of the blood across the black marbled floor. I heard someone scream in the background which was quickly silenced.  I just watched as blood pooled and spread across the floor slowly toward me.

My face reflected me in the fresh pool of blood. It was almost poetic.

"Get him out of my sight," Zoya said, his tone calm. He downed his drink and slammed it back down on the table. "Make sure his family knows. If they fail to pay me, I'll take his daughter next."

"Geez, intense isn't he?" Nik muttered behind me.

"Nik," I warned him.

"Hey, it's not every day you get to see your sworn enemy kill someone in front of you."

"Let me handle the talking. Don't say anything to him." I said in a low voice.

"Tch. Fine. I'll just try to telepathically direct my insults at him."

"Please do that," Felix murmured, flinching back as the guards dragged the body past him. "Better than him threatening us."

Zoya looked up, wiping a few drops of blood from his face with a wet towel. He finally noticed us but I knew that he was aware of us ever since we left the elevator. That little sick show of his was his way of saying welcome.

"Ivan." He raised his arms. "So glad you could visit me."

"Zoya." I greeted him but made no steps to embrace him.

I could feel Nik and Eddie stiffen at the sound of his voice. I squared my shoulders, keeping my head up.

Zoya smiled, his lips curling into a warm grin. "It's been too long."

His eyes crinkled in the corner, blue irises taking me in. I towered over him but that didn't seem to phase him one bit. I took a step forward and then another till I stood only a few feet from him. I could smell the scent of his most recent cigar emanating from him.

"It's only been a year." I tilted my head down to look at him. "I thought you'd remember that. You were at the funeral after all."

"Ah, yes. Did you get the flowers?"

I grit my teeth. "Anya sent you a thank you card."

He nodded and picked up his gun, tucking it away. "I got it. Poor girl. Life can be cut so short all of a sudden. I knew she was close to your father. How is your sister? Still in London?"

I felt my eye twitch. Bastard.

"Zoya, I'm not here to discuss pleasantries," I said. "I've here to tell you to stay fuck out of my streets and away from my business."

"Oh. Those are just isolated incidents, Ivan." He brushed me off. "You know what they're like. Your side isn't innocent either. I've had to pay my fair share of hospital bills too."

"Maybe you wouldn't have to if you kept your men in check." I pointed out sharply. "You need to stop harassing my shareholders."

"If you're here to settle small skirmishes then I'm afraid you've wasted my time and yours."

I was so close to snapping. I kept my cool, I wouldn't fly off the handle. Zoya never took anyone or anything seriously. "You and I both know that this is more than just some 'skirmishes.' Or do you think I won't go to the council about it?"

His eyes flashed dangerously. "Watch your words, boy." Zoya spat out. "You don't want to start anything with me."

I smirked. "I'm nearly thirty. And I'm old enough to put bastards like you in their place."

"If you think you're anything like your father—"

"I'm not." I glared into his eyes. He didn't flinch or move or twitch. "If it was my old man, he'd have you killed. But maybe that's why you had him killed in the first place right?"

"You have no proof."

I grinned. "Your hitman said otherwise when I cut it out of him. Be glad, Zoya. It's me rather than my father. Warnings aren't his forte."

"They aren't mine either."

"I think you of all people are familiar with his method," I took a step closer, narrowing my eyes. "But I prefer to go in for the kill."

We stood there for a long moment. The air was almost electric with hatred and rage. I could feel it spread through my chest and cloud my mind. It took so much of my control not to wrap my hands around Zoya's throat and squeeze.

"You're naive, Ivan." Zoya scoffed and pulled away. He had pulled out his gun while I want paying attention, finger on the trigger. The cold metal of the muzzle was pressed to my chin. "A warning doesn't work on me. You've made a big mistake in threatening me."

I heard Nik growl in anger. His hand was probably wrapped around the hilt of the gun, waiting for Zoya to do something. The tension in the room was almost palatable. One wrong move and this could turn into a gunfight.

"If you think you can fight against me, you're stupid. Your old man might've been a pain in my ass but he had some fucking integrity." He said in a low voice. "Don't start anything with me. You'll regret it. Your father should've told you that before he died."

I scoffed at his words, ignoring the gun that was pressed to my skin. I wanted to see this man try to kill me.

I turned to Nik who looked like he was about to kill someone. So much for peaceful and diplomatic talks. I laughed and grabbed Zoya by the lapels of his suit, dragging him in close.

I heard the sound of cocked guns and shouts of anger.

Nik and Felix had their guns out faster than I could command them to stop, pointing them at Viktor who pointed his gun at me.

"I know you're not scared of me but you will be," I whispered into his ear. "If I find you doing something that puts either my family or my business in danger, I'll march up here and cut your fucking head off. I don't start things, Zoya but my old man taught me to finish them."

I let go of him. He stumbled backwards and landed in his chair. Zoya's face was a mix of shock and fury, he looked like was ready to throw me off the building.

I don't think he expected me to retaliate.

Good.

"I hope you keep this in mind, Zoya. I'd hate to involve the council."

I straighten my jacket and tie. I gave him one last final glare and left.

"You'll pay for that, boy!" He yelled out behind me. "I'll burn your entire empire to the ground and spit on your ashes!"

"I'd like to see you try to kill me," I said over my shoulder.

I couldn't think clearly until I was in the car with Eddie and Nik. I felt like rage and grief were pouring into my mind like a waterfall, everything felt tilted as if the world had turned upside down.

Zoya was up to something. He wanted my family gone and he didn't think I could protect them. Well, he had another thing coming.

I don't play nice when you threaten my family.

Nik was quiet in the front seat. I could see his eyes in the rearview mirror, they looked just as angry as mine.

I sighed, reaching out to place my hand on his shoulder. "Nik......."

"Fucking bastard!" Nik growled, running his hands through his hair in frustration. "He thinks he's so fucking untouchable. I'd love to put a bullet between those weasly eyes of his!"

"We should have everyone on high alert," I said, loosening my tie. "A little extra security around our businesses would be good too."

"I'll tell Eddie. He can alert everyone." Nik said. He picked up his phone. "I think our doctors are going to have a field day soon. This isn't over."

I silently agreed with him.

"Hey, Boss?" Felix popped up. "Do you want to head back to the office or......?"

"Yeah. I need to talk to Anya. Do you think——"

It only took a few seconds for my world to tilt on its axis. I heard the sound of screaming before turning my head. By the time I reacted, it was too late.

The crash was sudden. I heard the sound of screeching tires and a loud boom.

The car lurched with a violent jerk, filled with the sound of blowout airbags and broken glass all around me. I felt my head slam into the side of the door, blood dripping down my face immediately. It felt like time stretched itself out. The car must've rolled onto its side.

My head felt like a ringing bell when it was quiet. The car smelled like gasoline and blood. I winced in pain as I touched the side of my head. My fingertips were coated in blood.

It was so sudden. I could react at all.

"Nik?" I called out weakly and then started yelling when he didn't answer. "Nik! Are you alright?!"

I saw my brother slumped in the passenger seat. Thankfully his seatbelt was on but he was bleeding. Felix was conscious enough, his fingers still gripping the steering wheel. He was glancing around in shock.

His hands were bleeding, and pieces of glass were embedded in the palm of his left hand.

"B-Boss, we need to get out of here." He tried to turn the ignition on but it spluttered. "Goddamnit!"

Fuck. We were sitting ducks.

"Hold on, we need to call Anya——"

"We need backup!" I heard several gunshots and the window next to me shattered into pieces. "Fuck! Get down!" I yelled.

I peeked over the edge of the blown-out window. Several black cars had pulled out into the street, I didn't know if they were ours or theirs. And I wasn't going to find out. I aimed my gun in the direction of the bullet and squeezed the trigger before I rolled onto the floor.

Pedestrians screamed on the street which was quickly drowned out by the sound of squealing tires and gunfire.

Some bullets were lodged in the exterior of the car, I could feel the dull sound as they hit the door frame. I felt my shoulder burning in pain when I tried to shimmy out between the seat. It worsened when I tried to raise my arm.

"Stay down, Boss!" Felix ducked down and started up the ignition again. He reached out and dragged Nik down, his hand placed on his head.

"Keep your head down, Felix!" I said, holding my gun close to my chest.

"Fuck! You've been shot." He said, eyes widening when he saw my shirt.

"No shit!" I yelled out, clutching my shoulder.

Another round of bullets followed us. I could hear their piece through the metal of the car, some whizzing past my head. I okayed my arms over my head and prayed for some sort of miracle.

I knew that if I stayed here longer, I was going to pass out. Blood loss was a bitch.

I think the bullet went through me, I'm not sure. I suppressed a groan of pain and turned onto my back.

"Call.....call Anya...." Nik moaned from the front seat, his eyes heavy and unfocused. He tried to raise his gun but it slipped out of his hands. "What the fuck.....? Zoya, fucking bastard...I'm gonna....."

The ignition started up. It was probably the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. I grabbed onto Nik's seat as Eddie gunned the car.

"We need to get you home!"

"No." I dropped my gun and pressed my palm against my shoulder, hoping to staunch the bleeding. The pain was going to get worse when the shock wore off. "Get me to the hospital. We have doctors there who know what to do?"

"That's on the other side of town!" Felix argued. "I can't get either of you there on time!"

I grabbed some cloth, I think it was an old shirt and pressed it against my shoulder. I had to keep pressure on the wound, I wouldn't bleed out and die——I couldn't. This isn't where I died. Not today.

"Just.....drive." I panted out, turning onto my back and staring at the roof of the car. "I don't care how many red lights you run, just get us there."

"Ok," he said. His voice sounded far away. "Just hang on, Boss!"

I felt light-headed, and my vision started to blur as I desperately clutched my shoulder. I didn't feel pain but I could see the amount of blood from my wound. My hand and half of my shirt were red.

"Fuck." I said before passing out.