Epilogue

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Some Years Later

'Dyadya!'

(Uncle)

The boy shot to his feet and clambered down the stairs to run straight into Mickey's legs. He stumbled back dramatically before picking him up with a loud 'whoosh!' and held the child to him with one arm.

'Bud!' he exclaimed easily. 'Where's your daddy? Where's Uncle Val?'

'In the study,' the boy reported in Russian.

'So I'm late, aren't I?' he muttered to himself though the child had nodded vigorously.

He slowly made his ascent anyway, silently cursing the amount of stairs in this house.

Back in New York, Leon's office was just a stroll away from the main gates of the warehouse. But here in St Petersburg, in the Federov homestead, Leon had his office on the second floor of the palatial residence after a long flight of stairs and a few twisty corridors.

Gav rolled his toy car across Mickey's chest, oblivious to the physical strain underlying his favourite Uncle's grin. Little sounds of movement left his lips as he made the car flip and fly, immersed in a world of child-like delight.

In the same easygoing manner, Mickey swung the door open, his trademark grin plastered on his face.

'Boss! I found your son!' he announced to the study.

Then he stopped short.

Sitting at the desk was Stanislav Federov, his stern brows raised at the latecomer. Mickey swallowed, his smile dying on his lips. If he had known the Big Boss would be present, he wouldn't have spent those extra minutes making out with his fiancee before he left the house.

'H - hi, erm, good morning,' Mickey mumbled before shuffling into the room, the pressure of the Big Boss's stare threatening to squash him into oblivion.

He lowered himself, allowing Gavy to slip out of his arms.

Traitor, he thought, as Leon's son turned back to beam at him with his grey-blue eyes wide. He childishly stuck his tongue out at the boy before dropping into the empty space beside Val.

'Hey, Ganya,' Leon murmured fondly as he gathered his son onto his lap.

'Uncle Mickey is late,' Gav babbled joyfully as he settled himself comfortably.

'He sure is,' he muttered, the side of his mouth tugged teasingly as he turned to Mickey.

Val slid a file over with a disapproving shake of his head.

~

In the years that followed, Leon had gradually taken on more of his father's duties, indicating his path to become pakhan in St Petersburg. Though there had been resistance at first, mostly owing to his age and his tangled allegiance with the Udinov's - an issue that still ruffled a few feathers - he was well accepted now.

Stanislav Federov had been guiding him, and still was, but now he spent more of his time playing with his grandchildren and touring his turf with Mosay. Uncle Stanislav had hinted on more than one occasion that his seat was ready for his eldest son but Leon, cautious when it came to assuming such a significant position, had asked his father to remain as pakhan for now.

It had been a difficult choice to decide who to send to New York. The New York operation was booming, and would need a capable team to head it. Val and Dom had remained there for a while to guide the incoming team before returning to Russia. They had also helped to bridge the leadership with the Kei-Shiragata and the other gangs who had joined Kai's alliance.

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