"Murder."
I looked at Maksim then to Aleksei, who didn't seem concerned.
"And just who is he supposed to have murdered?"
"Mayor Willowby."
Aleksei stopped short, shifting around slowly, his face riddled with shock. "What. The. Fuck?"
"I can't find out any of the details. The police commissioner won't answer and neither will anyone else. I sent the consigliere to find out what's going on, but you know Jonas. He's already ruffled some feathers," Maksim stated, his eyes forever scanning the area.
"Hotheaded motherfucking Italian. Yeah, I know how Mr. DiCarlo handles the operation, but he will get to the bottom of what the shit is going on. What about..." Aleksei started.
"Everything is fine," Maksim assured him.
Aleksei glanced up at the sky, growling under his breath. "We need to get to the meeting. After that, I'm heading to the police station. Make certain Jonas remains at the precinct. I'm going to need all the help I can get."
"Will do, boss. Everything has been arranged." Maksim opened the back door, ushering me inside.
"Let's get this over with."
There were no discussions on the ride and I honestly had no idea where we were going, except that it was into one of the boroughs on the outskirts of town. He'd pulled out the same burner phone I used, texting to my brother's number then merely leaning back in the seat.
I remained sick to my stomach, but I comprehended just how dangerous the situation was that we were rolling into. I leaned forward then I realized where we were going.
The Philadelphia Navy Yard. I hadn't been to the location in years. A public location with certain private areas as necessary, also allowing for security without being overtly obvious. A brilliant idea.
Maksim handed Aleksei a briefcase as the driver parked. I knew exactly what was inside. Weapons of choice.
Aleksei took his time selecting two, sliding both into his suit jacket. Then he handed me my own gun, his eyes locking onto mine. "Only to be used if absolutely necessary. Do you understand?"
I nodded, shifting forward and sliding it under my belt. The shirt would hide it from any public viewing.
"This is only a discussion. I don't think your brother wants his reputation ruined." Aleksei opened the door, climbing out and adjusting his jacket.
I glanced out the back window. There was no sign of Peter anywhere.
I was led down a pathway, moving toward one of the aging ships. Aleksei had obviously managed to acquire a private showing.
Maksim and two other soldiers followed us up on deck and there was no sign of the other vehicles, but I knew they were here, his men canvassing the area. We stood in the light breeze, the day chilly, especially this close to the water.
As always, my brother was very punctual, arriving with three men I didn't recognize. He was dressed as if going to a business meeting, including a crisp white shirt. This was a game of brawn as much as anything. He also refused to remove his shades until he was only twenty feet away, finally even acknowledging my existence.
"I see you failed your mission, Willow," Peter said in a perfunctory manner.
"Seems karma had other things in mind, Peter. Now, I'm Aleksei's prisoner," I shot back, yawning and looking away, a gesture that always pissed him off.
"Nonsense, sister. I'm keenly aware of your display at the Kennedy Center last night, which is exactly why you were there. To show off. To goad me. I'm not ruffled that easily." Peter smirked.
Aleksei placed his arm in front of me, a reminder not to lose my cool.
"Make no mistake, Peter, Willow is under duress. You are well aware of my reputation. While I enjoy tasting the finer things in life, including beautiful women, they are of a simple use and nothing more. I will take her life if you do not cooperate."
I wanted to see some kind of fear or anxiety in my brother's eyes, but there were none. Zero. I didn't matter to him in the least.
"Since this is your meeting, Aleksei, why don't you tell us what it's all about? I do have other meetings with clients this afternoon." Peter shifted his gaze in both directions before settling on Aleksei.
"Fair enough. I'll get straight to the point. You've been attempting to muscle in on my family's activity, years of business that has been built on loyalty and respect. In addition, you're responsible for bringing Killer H into the United States. I also believe you're trying to pin deaths of innocent young adults on our family. That simply won't do." Aleksei took a step closer. "To that end, you have a single choice to turn over the reins of your organization to me."
Peter laughed, the men he'd brought with him doing the same. "You certainly think you are God almighty."
Aleksei moved even closer, until they were only a single foot away from each other. "The alternative isn't pleasant. Not only will I end your sister's life, but I will take from you everything you have, destroying all you've worked under the table to achieve, and you will rot in prison for the rest of your life. Or worse. You see, I have very influential friends."
There was no anger in Aleksei's voice, no fear of any kind. Just a quiet calm, the man in his element.
Peter kept his same expression, more amused than anything else. "First of all, if you haven't figured out, I was using my sister. I couldn't care less about her, especially since she's not my flesh and blood. You can have her, although she's damaged goods in more than one way, a trained killer."
"That's because you forced her to become one," Aleksei retorted.
"No, she was a killer long before she became a trained assassin," Peter hissed, turning his head in my direction.
"You fucking bastard!" I snapped.
"Why don't you ask her exactly what she did, the destruction she caused. She's not so innocent in all of this." Peter's laugh brought back all the years of his taunting, the nastiness and uncaring. "That's the kind of woman you seem to care about. You'll learn."
Aleksei finally bristled. Within two seconds, the barrel of his gun was placed against Peter's forehead. Every other soldier brought out their weapon. While Peter's men had their guns pointed toward Aleksei, Maksim and his men had theirs directed at the other soldiers.
This was a terrible standoff.