45

“You’re late,” Vladimir announces in his booming voice. “Are we a joke to you, Morozov?” Mikhail adds in an accusatory tone. Igor nods. “That’s disrespectful, not only to us, but to the Pakhan himself. It doesn’t look good for your application to be part of this table.” Kirill pushes his glasses up his nose with his middle and ring fingers, not appearing affected in the least. “I apologize for the delay, but I had a legitimate reason.” He pulls out his phone and shows them a picture of Yulia bound, bleeding, and barely consciousness. “On my way here, I received this picture of my mother, and I had to go save her. She’s now safe and sound back home.” He faces Sergei. “I don’t believe I’m worthy of any position in the Bratva if I betray my own. If I can’t protect my family, how can I protect a bigger organization?” Igor turns to Konstantin, whose smile has vanished. “Is this true?” “I didn’t know she was kidnapped.” “Oh, yes, you did. You received the same image, no?” Kirill shows the cc