Chapter 165: New Foundations

Chapter 165: New Foundations
Three weeks after Pavel’s arrest, the council held its first regular meeting.

It was not an emergency. It was not a crisis. It was not even a fraught negotiation. It was simply business. 

Anya took her place at the head of the table. Viktor stood behind her, as was his custom. Guardian. Partner. The Devil watching over his queen. 

Dimitri was the first to enter. Irina came in behind him. Anthony. The other family heads. Every man present on time. Every man with a plan. 

Progress. 

“We have three agenda items,” Anya announced. “First, Chen’s request for continued cooperation. Second, territory adjustments after the Morozov losses. Third, new security protocols.” 

“I have a question before we begin,” Dimitri said.

A collective intake of breath around the table. The proper protocol was to go through Anya first.

“Go on then,” she said. 

“I want to acknowledge that you saved my life three weeks ago. You could have let Pavel’s goons take me out. Instead you negotiated.” Dimitri stood. “I owe you a debt.” 

“You don’t owe me anything. That’s what the council is for.” Anya met his eyes. “Thank you for the acknowledgment.” 

“I also want to apologize for second-guessing the structure. For calling the emergency meeting without going through you first.” Dimitri’s tone was measured. “I was wrong.” 

Low mutters of assent from around the table.

“I accept your apology.” Anya waved him down. “First item. Chen requires continued access to our financial records. He’s combing through them for Pavel’s Russian connections.”

“How long?” Anthony asked. 

“Six to eight months. Targeted to Pavel-related transactions only.” Anya produced a set of documents. “Full cooperation now prevents full-scale raids later.” 

“And if he finds unrelated irregularities?” Irina asked.

“He’ll warn us before taking action. Give us time to clean things up internally.” Anya looked around at the council members. “This is the offer.” 

“I vote yes,” Dimitri said. 

The others followed suit. 

“Second item. Territory.” Anya brought up a map on the screen. “The Morozov locations that were hit are currently unguarded. Dimitri has requested council support in shoring up security.”

“What support are we talking about?” Anthony wanted to know.

“Manpower. Intel. Financial support.” Dimitri leaned in. “Pavel’s men killed five of my soldiers. I need to replace them and secure the locations before another group moves in.”

“Who would move in? Pavel’s operation is over.” 

“Nature abhors a vacuum.” Viktor spoke softly. “Vacant territory draws attention. It’s better to secure it now than fight over it later.”

“I agree.” Irina said. “The council should offer assistance to Dimitri in rebuilding security.”

“I’ll loan men,” Anthony said. “Temporary loan until Dimitri can afford to hire replacements.”

“I’ll provide intel,” Irina added. “Ensure that no one’s monitoring those locations.” 

The other families offered manpower. Money. Resources. Security. 

Anya watched the proceedings with satisfaction. This is what the council should be. 

“Motion passes,” she said. “Dimitri, work with Anthony and Irina. Provide a report to the council in two weeks.”

“Third item. Security protocols.” Anya’s voice sharpened. “Pavel managed to infiltrate multiple organizations. Plant people. Siphon intelligence. We need to tighten procedures to prevent that from happening again.”

“How?” Dimitri asked. 

“Background checks. Real ones. Not the cursory references from other families.” Anya pulled up another proposal. “Chen has offered FBI resources. Complete background checks on any person in a sensitive position.”

“That’s allowing FBI to know our operations,” Anthony pointed out.

“That’s utilizing FBI resources to keep our operations safe. Pavel had FSB resources. International contacts.” Anya looked directly at Anthony. “Street-level background checks aren’t going to uncover a spy. FBI-level checks will.” 

“What’s the cost?” 

“Information sharing. We share intelligence on international criminal activity. They provide security vetting.” Anya paused. “It’s a trade. But it keeps our house clean.” 

The rest of the meeting was a debate. Some families were opposed. Others saw the value. 

Eventually, Irina spoke. “Pavel nearly destroyed us by taking advantage of the old way of doing business. Blind trust. Loyalty without scrutiny.” She looked around the table. “We have to adapt or die. I vote yes.” 

The vote went through. Narrow. But through. 

After the meeting ended, Irina cornered Anya privately.

“Walk with me.” 

They made their way to the balcony. The city lay sprawled below them. 

“You did well with that meeting,” Irina said.

“A lot of that was Dimitri playing ball.”

“Dimitri is learning. Finally.” Irina lit a cigarette. “But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What is then?” 

“Your parents. Elena told me you visited. She brought you home. Which is how I know you went.” Irina exhaled a cloud of smoke. “How did it go?” 

“As expected. They apologized. I said no thank you. I didn’t accept. We’re done.” 

“Are you?” Irina’s voice was quiet. “Truly done?” 

“Yes.” Anya looked her in the eyes. “They weren’t my parents. They were hurdles in my path that I had to overcome. That chapter is closed.” 

“And Elena?” 

“What about her?” 

“She’s trying. She’s working with the council. She’s providing good intel.” Irina regarded Anya. “Do you ever consider giving her a second chance?”

“Why? Because she’s blood?” Anya’s laugh was hollow. “Elena betrayed me. Slept with my fiancé. Participated in my public humiliation. The fact that she’s providing intel now does not absolve her of that.”

“No. But people change.” Irina’s voice was contemplative. “Look at Dimitri. Three weeks ago he was ready to kick off a war. Now he’s following protocol.” 

“Dimitri was backed into a corner. Elena is opportunistic. There’s a difference.” 

“Maybe. Or maybe she’s making a real effort to change.” Irina flicked her cigarette off the balcony. “I’m not saying you should forgive her. But you shouldn’t close that door entirely. You might need her one day.” 

“I don’t need anyone from that family.” 

“You needed Viktor once. And he was your enemy first.” Irina smiled faintly. “Just consider it.” 

She left Anya alone on the balcony. 

A moment later, Viktor joined her. “Everything okay?” 

“Irina thinks I should reconcile with Elena.” 

“What do you think?” 

“I think Elena made her choices. I made mine.” 

“You get to decide who’s in your life. Blood does not obligate you to anyone.” Viktor tugged her against him. “But Irina’s smart. If she’s making a suggestion, there’s probably a reason.”

“You think I should talk to Elena.” 

“I think you should at least consider it. When the time’s right. If you’re ever ready.” Viktor kissed her temple. “But that’s your call.” 

Anya leaned against him. Gazed down at the city sprawling beneath them.

Down there, somewhere in the tangle of lights and streets, Elena worked. Sleuthed. Gathered intelligence. Trying to be useful. 

Down there, somewhere in the sprawl, her parents sat in their empty mansion. Mourning a patriarch who wasn’t theirs. Mourned their empire. 

And up here, Anya was with the man who’d watched her at her worst. And helped her rise again. 

Perhaps Irina was right. Perhaps some doors shouldn’t be shut. 

But not today. 

Today, she had a council to lead. An empire to protect. 

The past could wait.