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I didn’t leave my home office for three days straight. I slept on the couch, I only ate chips and whiskey, and I made so many phone calls to Russia I might have to update my international plan soon. The only person I didn’t hear a word from was Ludmila, but Katja assured me last night nothing happened, and everyone was safe.
It didn’t matter. This was ending today. Popov and I would sit down face to face, and I was holding all the cards. I cut every string he could possibly pull, and he would dance to my fucking song.
An hour before our meeting I finally got out of my cave, I took a shower, and picked out a suit. My father would never forget me if I went to a business meeting dressed like I was going for a run in the park.
I sent Popov a message to meet with me at one of our restaurants where the back room was prepared for us, and the place was filled with our boys. I was controlling all the chess pieces on the board today. Nothing was left to chance. I got to the location first and ordered a nice bottle of champagne because if Popov was playing his hand right tonight, we could end this in a civil way, and he’d still get some crumbs. If it was up to me, I would have just gutted him like a fucking chicken but buying him would cause fewer problems.
Popov walked in the building with a smug smile like he owned the place and I was already one step away from sending him into eternity.
“Ah, young Nucci, you look great. I come with good news, my friend. Great news actually.”
“Is that so?”
I looked at him with one eyebrow crooked while he took his place in front of me.
“Yes. I told you this deal would be a no brainer if you let me do the job, young Nucci.” He raised his glass of champagne to me. “Vashe zdorov'ye!”
“English, Popov.”
“Cheers! For our success, and the great collaboration I’ll have with your family.”
“Alexei.” My grim tone got his attention and mellowed his enthusiasm. “First, I want to let you know that I give you the courtesy of having this meeting behind closed doors. There are no eyes or ears in this room.”
“Boy, you should have brought an audience because I just made you millions.”
“Really? Good for you, Popov, but I just got millions for my family too. With no help from you.”
His jaw fell.
“And what the hell do you mean by that?”
“Let’s drop the act, ok? Babarin has been in touch with me for a week. He and his Bratva brotherhood were eager to get in touch with us, but they couldn’t.” I paused for a second. “Because of you.”
I very much enjoyed seeing Alexei Popov cracking and crushing right under my eyes.
“Listen to me, Enzo. I don’t know what kind of shit you talked with Babarin, but I did my job, and I did it right. I had to make sure this was viable. I was looking out for your interest.” He was getting nervous. Good. “Russians can’t be trusted. Your father knows that.”
“Oh, I agree with that.” He was a disgusting son of a bitch I could never trust. My gut told me that from day one. “It doesn’t change the fact that you hid things from us, Popov. You tried to make a mockery of my famiglia.”
“Never.”
“Don’t worry. I get it. You were chasing your own interests. Who am I to judge a man for seizing an opportunity?” In any other circumstances he would have been dead by now. The fucker should go home and thank Ludmila for saving his life. I wanted her, and I didn’t want to have to bury a body for it. “Since my father is not here, I don’t see any need to give him all the details. Don’t you agree?”
“Yes,” he answered fast. Too fast. “I have to disagree with you on something, Enzo. My goal was to make money and friends. I’m a man who pays great attention to details, and that takes time. Babarin would have rushed into this and most likely got himself in handcuffs. You don’t need that kind of trouble.” I couldn’t help but notice that Popov was more than happy to lick my boots, which until now was a privilege he reserved for my father.
“I get it. Your way was the best, let’s stick to that.”
“Yes. This seems very generous of you, Enzo. It makes me wonder if you are trying to work an angle.”
“Alexei.” One of my mouth’s corners raised; I had him right where I wanted him. “You have your goals, and I have mine. Let me tell you where we are right now: I have Babarin on speed dial; while you were busy rubbing elbows with my father, he figured out how to bring his guns here and distribute them, and both of those things were your responsibility. All he needs now is the green light to sell on our turf. We could meet tomorrow, Popov. One handshake and this deal is done. No middleman. We cut you out, we save ourselves a few cool million.” My face remained placid while I gave Popov time to digest my words. Safe to say, he didn’t like it. Good. I was feeding on his misery. The way he was shrinking and feeling like a loser was visible to the naked eye.
“And what…what about the honor of the Nucci family, young Nucci? Ha? What about that?” He was cornered, and he was trying to scratch his way out. It wouldn’t work until I’d decided to let him out. “Your dad is known to be a man who keeps his word. What will happen when he finds out you’re doing this to his reputation?”
“Alexei, you are the last person who wants my father to find out you’ve been wasting his time when you could have had this thing wrapped up weeks ago. The best thing we can do now is make this situation work for both of us. I will dismiss all the information I have about the shitty job you did, the deal goes as planned, I cut your share, and you’re giving me something in return.”
“For the money?”
“No. For leaving the good name of Alexei Popov untouched by the fact you’re a crook. And you might get in my family’s good graces. That’s what you want, right?”
