I was surprised by how few women there was.
Sure, there was a few around but the place was dominated by men. Tatiana wasn’t as progressive as she believed herself to be.
One of her lackeys found me in between bowls of granola. “Tatiana wants to see you in the War Room.”
“Did she say why?”
They had already walked off.
War Room was a bit of an exaggeration. It was a converted bedroom with a large table in the middle, dingy lights barely illuminating the space. There was nowhere to sit, but it wasn’t exactly a room you wanted to relax in. The atmosphere was tense, the temperature cold and there was a family of cockroaches living in the corners.
Tatiana was the only one sitting, presiding over the room with a cold face. Her eyes landed on me as I walked into the room, lips curving upward.
“Elena, I’m so glad you could join us.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice.”
Her smile grew crueller, but she waved me forward. “Come here, Elena. Take a look.”
The men shifted, their distrustful eyes following me as I stepped up to the table. They didn’t want me to see the maps and documents, the sensitive information that could bring them down. Most of them were low-level soldiers who’d decided they wanted more power and left their mobs in order to serve Tatiana.
Konstantin told me something interesting once. Power is never amassed by those who ask for it.
I understood those words in these moments when I scanned Tatiana’s lackeys. None of them were powerful men; none of them had presences or ambition. They were brash and reckless, children playing dress-up. None of them were going to achieve anything; I had higher expectations of Roman.
I ignored them all as I took in the information, trying not to look too interested.
“You were saying, Ivan?” Tatiana said.
Ivan, one of Tatiana’s closest confidants, cleared his throat. He had grown up with Tatiana’s mother and had been with Tatiana since the beginning of her little crusade. “Vigliano has stopped all imports. He knows we’re close by.”
“Impossible,” she replied. “Something else has spooked him.”
“The five bosses were seen in the same area yesterday,” Ivan answered. His eyes went to me. “Maybe one of them knew something and spread it.”
I arched my brows. “If there is something you want to say to me, Ivan, say it.”
“There is actually,” he snapped. “You’re the mother of Konstantin Tarkhanov’s heir. Why am I meant to suddenly trust you?”
“Enough, Ivan,” Tatiana commanded. He fell quiet. Out of every person in this organization, only Tatiana held real power and gravitas. It would be her downfall. “Elena is one of us now.” All their eyes went to my fading bruise, I made a show of gently touching it. “Were the bosses seen together or just in the same area?”
“Same area,” a new voice cut in. Jonathan Ainsworth, Edward Ainsworth’s brother. They both hailed from a firm in London but had joined Tatiana when she left for North America. “It’s rare they are ever in the same part of New York. We can safely assume they met.”
She looked at the table thoughtfully. “They’re not stupid. I know they’re hunting us.” She rose to her feet, slow and methodical. I felt like I was watching a snake rear back before striking. “Not stupid but too arrogant to be considered wise. Have any of the other bosses implemented the same measures as Vigliano?”
“We already know Tarkhanov has shut down the islands,” Ivan added. “Ishida and Ó Fiaich haven’t made any moves but Chen has begun to reduce how much traffic he’s letting into his territory. Either he knows we’re using smugglers or he’s worried about law enforcement caving in.”
“Law enforcement...” Tatiana trailed a finger down the map. Little pen marks indicated where the other hideouts were. Having so many different lairs had stopped me from being able to make a good estimate on how many followers she had. “Any news on the Feds?”
“Nothing. The DEA busted a lab in Hell’s Kitchen but Vigliano hasn’t said a word about it. He was probably just using them to take out a rival.”
Tatiana made a noise of agreement. “What do you think, Elena?”
Heads turned to me, eyes narrowed and accusing.
That was the thing I couldn’t fault Tatiana on; the loyalty of those she chose to surround herself with. Every single person working for her was dedicated, and even besotted. She didn’t let any too close but instead portrayed herself as the merciful goddess they should all leave offerings for.
It was interesting, and very effective. I didn’t think anyone in this room would betray her–besides me, of course. Technically, I wasn’t one of Tatiana’s followers.
I recalled her question. What do you think, Elena?
“The bosses aren’t known for getting along,” I said, voice controlled. A word was on repeat in my mind, but I couldn’t comprehend the letters. “I have to assume they’re either putting their differences aside to take us down or they’re using you as a reason to stab each other in the back. Why else would Vigliano and Chen be halting product if not to prepare for expansion?”
It was plausible, even if it wasn’t true.
Heads nodded, most begrudgingly.
Tatiana’s smile was small. “An interesting point, Elena. One I didn’t even think of.” She assessed the information in front of us some more. “Where are we with the weapons import, Don?”
Don was a rogue member from Boston who had joined Tatiana when peace finally came to his home city. Some people, I had learnrd, liked the bloodshed and dangerous streets. When the three families had declared a ceasefire, Don had grown bored.
He was probably my least favorite.
“It’s been difficult. Russia’s got new leadership now and they’re making it fucking hard.”
My eyes darted to him. “New leadership?”
It was Tatiana who answered. “Natalia Tarkhanova has assumed control over the Tarkhanov Bratva. The other Bratva have fallen in line and are obeying her every command.”
“She’s a child,” Ivan said in disgust. “Grown men bowing to a child–”
“She’s not a child, Ivan,” Tatiana interrupted. “Besides, it’s not like those grown men you speak of had much of a choice. It was either death or surrender.”
I tried to push down the sense of pride that bloomed within my chest at the news. Natalia would make a fine queen, and the empire she would build would live on for centuries. No longer the little girl with spiders and a cheeky laugh, but now Pakhan of the Tarkhanova Bratva.
“You know her.” Don looked to me accusingly. “Why won’t she let us export weapons?”
“I have no idea. I wasn’t privy to any of her policies, Donald.” My tone was sharp. “But I do know she likes to cause trouble. I’m sure she’s only making it difficult because it’s fun for her–or because she wants more money.”
“We can’t offer any more money,” Jonathan added.
Tatiana waved a hand and the table fell into silence. “Let’s not worry about what is happening outside New York.” She traced a hand over the five territories. “Are the men ready?”