Blood And Roses

Chapter Nine

RICHARD'S POV.

The drive from my house to Dimitri's was a long one and throughout the drive, my thoughts were fixated on our most recent consignment. It was long past due for arrival and Dimitri was already running out of patience. The damn old man was too smart and unforgiving and the only reason he let papa get away with his many mistakes was because we were family.

"Boss? There's a call for you", one of my men said and handed me the phone.

"говорить!",I answered in a stern voice.
{Speak}

The man on the other end paused for a while before he answered.

"есть проблема с нашим боссом"

{There is a problem with our package boss}

"наш пакет был захвачен итальянцами, и мы потеряли пятерых мужчин".

{Our package was hijacked by the Italians and we lost five of our men}.

White hot anger boiled in my veins and I fought hard not to smash the phone with my bare hands.

"отслеживать эти жалкие выщелачивания!!" I screamed in fury.

{Track those wretched leaches}.

"мы находимся на этом босс, но нет разумного лидерства пока" he replied.

{ We are on it boss but no reasonable lead yet}.

"хорошо делать свою работу, прежде чем я научу вас, как с пулей в вашей гребаной голове." I answered and ended the call.

{well do your job before I teach you how to with a bullet in your fucking head}.

Shit!! Those bloody De Luca's were seriously messing things up for us. The Italians have been our sworn enemies for decades. The hatred between both families have been passed down from generation to generation. I don't really remember the story behind our enmity, the mafia world has always been for the strongest and most cruel. we've lived up to those expectations, unleashing all forms of injustice to the poor and those who were and stupid enough to land themselves in our unforgiving grasp until those wretched creatures with their self acclaimed righteousness decided to meddle in our business. Their disgusting self acclaimed righteousness or the fact that they thought themselves as 'ROBINHOODS', making a mockery of what we stand for was what we could not condone. 

Once again another major deal worth billions of dollars, flushed down the drain all because they wouldn't mind their bloody business. I needed to come up with an excuse. Papa had already handed over his shares to me and I was in charge but I still answered to Dimitri and unless I want my head on a stake, I need to come up with an excuse for Dimitri.

The car came to a stop finally after passing through the normal security checks. The mansion was built like a safe house, heavily guarded and totally impenetrable. The beauty and exoticness of the building, the cars and even the servants scattered around the perimeter was everything I wanted and more. It's a pity papa let it go without a fight. He would have being the boss and commander of the feared Russian syndicate, he would have being a more competent leader than that greedy whimp Dimitri. Everything would have been mine, I would have inherited everything as his heir but he chose loyalty over his rightful position and now I have to continue from where he stopped, answering to the very same man I couldn't stand. 

Alec and Ivan my cousins were both weaklings hiding under Dimitri's cover. I should be the leader of the syndicate and I was fit to be one but a fate I did not even chose for myself was already decided and I have no choice but to go on with it. At least for now...

"The boss is waiting for you in the study" one of the guards said drawing my attention back.

I gave a Curt nod and let him lead me to him. It was about time I broke the news of our loss to Dimitri. Hopefully, I get to keep my head and leave without any holes in my body.

DIMITRI'S POV.

I knew something was wrong when the shipments didn't arrive as planned. It wasn't the first time something like this has happened. The Italians have been a pain in the neck for long and I plan to put an end to them.

"Boss, he's here"  victor my personal bodyguard said and took two steps to stand beside me.

The door opened and Richard stepped in. The way he walks like he owned the place irritated me, his ugly stained tobacco teeth and his hatred for me that he desperately tries to hide with unnecessary theatrics. I couldn't stomach the fact that he was a possible heir to everything I've worked for, the whole Russian empire that I've built for years.

My two sons Alec and Ivan decided to turn their back on the mafia business and raise families of their own. They barely come home for visits and I hardly get to see my grand children.
If anything was to happen, Richard would be next in line as boss and the thought of that almost made me retch.

Maybe it was God punishing me for my deeds and honestly I don't think I was ready to repent. I couldn't get enough of the power, drug, the blood and everything. It was intoxicating and I'd do anything to keep it even if it means selling my soul. Come to think of it, there's no soul to sell in the first place.

"Uncle" Richard greeted in his irritating voice.

"Richard" I replied with a curt nod.

"I trust you must have learned of the hijacked consignments", he started, feigning remorse.

"I had everything under control but unfortunately De Luca was one step ahead. I need your permission to gather some men and lay a trap for him. I'm very positive he'll fall for it this time", he said.

"I've been hearing that from you for a long time now!!" I stated.

"This is your last chance Richard!! I've been letting you off the hook because of your father but not anymore".

"Now get out of my office", I yelled.

"I'm sorry boss" he answered and turned to leave.

"You better bring positive results next time or you'll be joining your ancestors sooner than you think!!"  I cursed under my breath.