41

KIRILL I have a plan. It’ll take time, effort, and, most importantly, patience, but sooner or later, it’ll work. Everyone in the organization thinks I wasted time in Russia, but it was the military that shaped my strategic mind into its current state. While my father’s brutal torture filled my mind with red, it’s the military’s discipline that allowed me to redirect that energy into clear focus. My plan is dangerous and has a twenty percent margin of error, which is undeniably a lot, but I choose to focus on the eighty percent success rate. I stroll out of my room to find Viktor at the door. His expression is solemn, but his attitude hasn’t changed since we returned—something I appreciate. “The Pakhan has set a meeting for later today at which you and Konstantin have to be present.” Didn’t take him long. Only a week after the old man’s funeral. I adjust my glasses with my middle and ring fingers. “Is everything in place?” “Everything’s as you ordered.” “Good.” “The madam and your broth