Page 71 of The Pakhan’s Heir

He looks at me with large, sorrowful eyes, then he looks away. “Don’t talk like that. None of this is your fault.”

“But it is. And I’m not putting myself down by acknowledging that. That’s just the facts of what happened.” I can see he’s getting more and more uncomfortable, so I touch his arm gently and kneel down next to his chair. “I’d never even suggest doing this if I didn’t know for a fact that it would work. I can convince him to meet with me. Somewhere out in the open where you can take him out.”

“Nona, he could decide to kill you the moment he lays eyes on you.”

“That’s not going to happen because you’re not going to let it happen,” I tell him in as measured a tone as I can muster. “You and your men will be watching me, keeping me safe.”

He looks down at me, his eyes darting over my face. “Are you sure that you can do it? Because if there’s any chance of him being suspicious⁠—”

“I can do this, Alex. I’m the only one who can.”

He looks away, down at the cup of coffee in his hands. Kostya says, “If she can lure him out, we’ll never have a better chance at him.”

Alex regards Kostya, then looks back at his coffee and takes a drink. “Set it up,” is all he says.

I stand and pull out my phone.

“That’s… valuable information. How did you come across it?”

“He’s been so busy, he didn’t realize he left some notes out on his desk. I took them, but I don’t know how long it’ll be until he notices. Can we meet?”

I’ve been reading over the texts over and over, going over the plan in my mind again and again. Kostya had been the one to suggest that I tell him that I have the locations of all of the Molotov stash houses and apparently, that got Papa’s attention. He texted back immediately and before I knew it…

I look up from my phone and around Central Park, observing people as they walk past me on the wide paved walkway. A couple of joggers, a man on a bike, a young couple walking hand in hand…

I’ve heard that nighttime in Central Park is dangerous. More dangerous than a lot of places in New York. And yet, there are still people here, living their lives as if it were noon on a Monday. Maybe when all this is over, Alex and I can take this walk with our newborn. In the daytime, of course.

I try not to think too hard about it. I have to focus for this conversation I’m about to have. I don’t know where any of them are. Before I walked out here, Alex assured me that he would be nearby, watching and waiting for his opening.

A sniper shot was Kostya’s suggestion. As soon as they were clear, they’d take him. One shot to the forehead. Kostya assured me that it would be quick and quiet and chances would be good that no one would even notice—at least not right away. He would slump over and I could guide him down to lie on the bench, then I could slip away.

At the time that he explained it to me, it sounded like a solid plan. At the moment, my nerves are starting to get the better of me. If he doesn’t show…

I feel someone sit down next to me and I look over, ready to shoo them away. The man sitting next to me is wearing a soft gray jacket, appropriate for the mild spring weather this afternoon. He’s also wearing a matching gray hat with a curved brim. It hangs over his eyes, blocking his face from me partially.

“Excuse me,” I say to him, “but I’m waiting for someone.”

“I’m aware, Dochurka.” He brushes some lint from his shoulder.

I lean in, recognizing his voice… and the salt and pepper gray of his beard. “Papa?” He nods simply. “What are you doing? I barely recognized you.”

He scoffs slightly. “I’m surprised you’re not aware. Your ‘husband’ is tracking my movements. I have to be very careful when I move around.”

My heart jumps a little in my chest and I ask, “Did you come alone?”

“Of course not,” he says. “Do you have the notes?”

This is moving too fast. I glance around, wondering if he can be recognized from afar. “Papa, we haven’t seen one another in so long. Can’t we talk for just a moment?”

He looks at me from under his brim. “Nona, we are in war times. I cannot stay here for very long. Do you have the notes?”

I nod. No gunshots have rung out and there’s no indication that anyone knows this man is really Slavik Sokolov under his hat and jacket.

I turn and reach into my purse for the folded up manila envelope that I’ve put fake papers in. I have to think fast to keep him here a little longer. “I’m just… I miss you. I feel so alone in that house. I was going stir crazy.” I pause as a crazy thought enters my head. “You should know… I’m pregnant.”

I see his hands freeze and he looks away from me. “That wasn’t your assignment.”

“It just happened. You can’t have expected me to get close to Alex without sleeping with him.” I pause as he continues to look away from me. “I thought you’d be pleased. You have someone to continue your legacy now.”