I nod. “But what makes you think Yaromir is smart enough to know what the smartest move to make is?”
Yulian chews on his bottom lip as he considers the options. “Even if he’s not prepared to challenge you, what if Marina has convinced him otherwise?”
Lev nods. “She can be convincing when she wants to be.”
“Especially with men,” I muse. Yulian snorts, and I jerk my gaze towards him. “Something funny?”
He shrugs. “I just think it’s ironic. You keep saying she’s good at getting what she wants where men are concerned… But you’ve been the only exception.”
“Which is why she seems intent on making me regret it.”
“Your meeting with Yaromir is in a few days,” Lev reminds me.
“That’s too far away. We need to move it up. I don’t want to discuss this on the phone with him. I need to be able to see his face. If he lies to me, I’ll know.”
I walk over to my desk. Lev and Yulian follow me. I dial in Yaromir’s direct number and wait for him to pick up.
“Anton,” Yaromir greets, his voice shaking a little.
I keep my tone casual, unconcerned. “Yaromir, how is the don life treating you?”
“It’s more work than I expected.”
“Inheriting the second-largest Bratva in the city is no easy job to adjust to. I don’t envy your position.”
“Well, I have an ally in you,” Yaromir says. “Which eases my mind somewhat.”
I look up at my two most trusted Vors, and I know they’re thinking what I’m thinking. The fact that he’s reminded me of my promised friendship is a good sign. He’s counting on our continued alliance.
“You most certainly have my support,” I say. “Now, I’m calling to ensure yours.”
“Is my support in question?”
“I have something important I need to discuss with you,” I say. “But I’d rather not do it over the phone.”
“We’re meeting three days from now—”
“I’m afraid we’ll need to bring this meeting forward. Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow. I… I’ll move some things around.”
“Excellent. Same time and place then.”
“Very well.”
I hang up. Yulian is staring at the phone and Lev is looking at me.
“I don’t think he’s aware that Marina’s alive,” Lev says. “He’s too desperate for your approval.”
“It could be an act,” Yulian suggests.
I scoff at the same time that Lev answers. “Yaromir is not that good an actor. The man is nothing but a lot of false bravado.”
“I agree.”
“If that is true. Can we trust him to handle Marina for us?” Yulian asks.
“He won’t be the one handling anything,” I say. “I’ll handle it. He’s merely going to be the tool I use to trap her.”