A Silent Reckoning: Sinner's Empire by Nikita Slater (ereader iphone .txt) 📗

been outgrowing his uncle. He’d balked at some of Krystoff’s orders as well as some of the missions Krystoff sent Jozef and his men on. A mafia organization was a complex and potentially dangerous undertaking. Having two alpha men, Krystoff and Jozef, at the helm had been ofttimes contentious and stifling.

“Have a seat, son.” Krystoff waved Jozef to the armchairs next to the fireplace.

Both men settled into their seats, sipping their drinks and allowing the heat of the fire to wash over them.

“Have you settled into your new home?”

Jozef nodded.

Krystoff took a sip of his drink, a puff of his cigar, then asked, “Would you consider moving back?”

No, Jozef signed.

Krystoff waited, seeming to expect more. Jozef didn’t give it to him. His uncle knew the score, knew Jozef’s reasons for leaving. Though the older man preferred to have his family close, living in the mansion wasn’t necessary to doing business.

“What can I do to convince you? Family should be here, on the estate. You know this.” There was an edge of desperation to his voice, making the pang in Jozef’s chest flare hotter.

Nothing.

“I don’t accept that, Jozef.” The strain of the past year showed in the lines around Krystoff’s eyes and the new patches of white streaking his hair and beard.

Havel had reported to Jozef on a weekly basis, giving updates on Jozef’s people, the move, and their new business connections. He’d also reported on every move the Koba clan made, especially regarding the organization. Krystoff had suffered the loss of Jozef and his team, both financially and in reputation. It was well known the majority of Krystoff’s protection came from Jozef and his team. Though Krystoff scrambled to replace them, his new hires didn’t have the skill or background with the organization to be nearly as effective.

Though Jozef had no intention of taking over the Koba interests, the past year had shown which way the wind would blow if ever there was a separation. It was Jozef who held the majority of the power.

“I will make you an offer. Please take some time to consider it, rather than outright rejecting it.” Krystoff held Jozef’s gaze. “Join me as a full partner, we will share our business interests. You will run all operations, as you used to do. I will approve all of our associates, unless you choose otherwise. You can have veto power, and I’ll leave the organization to you when I retire. All I ask is that you move back to the estate. I can provide you and your doctor with a separate home if you like. Similar to Leeza’s cottage.”

They both knew Krystoff would never retire. Regardless, the offer was incredibly generous. The Koba estate and all of its holdings amounted to a vast fortune. Jozef had never thought much about where the organization would go if Krystoff were out of the picture. If he wanted it, he could take it, but he would have to take his Aunt and cousins out of the picture first, not something he’d ever contemplated.

Finally, Jozef signed, the money means nothing to me.

“I know, it never has,” Krystoff said sadly. “Your motivation was always this family.”

Jozef nodded.

“Now you’ve switched your loyalty to her.”

Jozef didn’t say anything; he didn’t need to. Krystoff was correct. Jozef was now motivated by Shaun. He still loved his family, but he needed to make the move. Before Shaun he’d seen the world from a narrow view. She made everything richer, brighter, clearer.

“She won’t appreciate the things you do for her. The security, the jobs, it will all seem dangerous and illegal, which is not something she’ll condone. How do you intend to settle this situation in a way that will allow you to keep the woman freely?” When Jozef didn’t speak, he added, “We can keep her safe here at the mansion.”

For a trump card, it was a weak one.

She was almost killed in this house one year ago, Jozef pointed out, crossing his ankle over his knee. He took a long sip of his scotch, appreciating the burn of fine whiskey as it slid down his throat.

Fury crossed over Krystoff’s face, making him look more like the mobster he was renowned for rather than the kindly uncle he wanted to appear.

Jozef watched the older man steadily. He wondered if Krystoff was angry because Shaun had nearly died on his property or if he despised the woman threatening to bring down everything he’d worked for.

“Of course, you’re correct,” Krystoff said gruffly, ashing his cigar in a crystal tray. “I blame myself. I thought she would be safe in our home, protected by both the family and the security we constantly surround ourselves with. She should not have been reachable. I became complacent and she paid the price.”

Jozef believed his uncle was speaking from the heart. From the day Jozef was born, he learned about the importance of family; first from his own father, then from Krystoff when Jozef’s father was killed. It was gut-wrenching to now separate himself from the people, who, over the course of his life, talked to him about how family should stick together.

He didn’t have a choice. After Shaun’s poisoning, he couldn’t bring her back to the place that’d nearly killed her. And Jozef couldn’t live without her, which meant he needed to separate himself from the Kobas. Shaun aside, it was time for him to stretch his wings. Like the phoenix tattoo rising up his back, Jozef would rise from the shadows of his family and strike out on his own. His time in prison showed him how quickly and easily he could knock down the competition, replacing the Vory he took out with members of his own organization.

I will not come back, Jozef signed, finality ringing in his silent words.

Krystoff nodded his understanding that the topic would now be closed. Jozef was surprised to see a glint of pride in the older man’s eyes.

“I taught you everything I know,” Krystoff murmured, settling back into the plush leather of his chair