Page 55 of The Bratva King

“That’s what I think.”

“Increase the rotation on the loading dock. I want two more bodies on the overnight.”

He writes it down. “Done.”

I stand and move to the window that looks over the floor. Midday crowd. Thin, but steady. A woman at the slot bank near the entrance hits something small and claps her hands. Her companion leans over to look.

“You know I have to ask,” Pasha says from behind me.

“Then ask.”

“Is it smart? Having a woman and a kid in your house right now? When we’re in the middle of this?”

I keep my eyes on the floor below. “I’ve been at war with the Italians for ten years, Pasha.”

“I know.”

“It never changes. There’s always something.” I turn away from the window and go back to my desk. "If I waited for a quiet moment to act, I'd be waiting forever."

“But we both know it’s escalating. We poked back hard, and they’re not the kind of people who absorb that quietly.”

“No,” I agree. “They’re not.”

“So, a woman and a child at your private residence might be risky.”

“They don’t know where I live.”

He snorts. “We all pretend they don’t know, but they do. They’ve never dared to strike, but we know they know.”

“That’s why I have the best security money can buy,” I say. “They’re not unprotected.”

“You know how these things go,” he says. “It’s been building. We know the big hit is coming. I’d guess they’ll come for you before the new property opens.”

“I hope they do.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m in the mood to fuck shit up.”

He laughs. “You’re in a good mood.”

I shrug. “It’s been a while. The action down in Miami was fun.”

Pasha shakes his head. “I always knew you were fucked up.”

“And yet, you’re still my friend. How’s my goddaughter?”

“Good. Growing too fast. My mother thinks she’s too sassy. I happen to like her sass.”

“Because you’re not the one dealing with it.”

“Is the kid sassy?”

“Luke. No, he’s not. He’s a good kid. Quiet. Observant. We had Froot Loops for breakfast.”

“Really?”

“She’s safer under my roof than she was on the street. So is the boy.”