Dragori
I met Samuel at the bottom of the stairs, "Speak."
"I just got a call from Esilev, he said something had gone wrong and Naleena was dead." I saw the incredulity on his face I was sure was also on mine.
"I wish you to do something for me Samuel. This is to be between only us, no one else. You accompany me to the warehouse, tell him you will see to her disposal yourself as people are getting sloppy. Don't destroy her body, instead I want an autopsy done to tell me the exact cause of death. Have them do a complete toxicology, even the unusual things." I looked at him and saw the surprise on his face.
He bowed his head,"Of course Pakahn, I will do exactly as you have instructed, and tell no one."
I was beginning to have a very uncomfortable feeling about exactly how far and deep the resentment ran about Ilaria, and if this had been brewing beneath my very nose far longer than I had realized. I would not tolerate any type of rebellion. Even if that meant I killed one of my oldest friends, it would not stop my retribution.
Perhaps that was one of the things that had drawn me to Ilaria in the first place. She wasn't trying to find a place at my side, she wasn't playing power games for a piece of my Bratva, as so many of the Russian women in our circles were. She didn't wish to be here, but she was truly a perfect fit. My men would come to see that in time, but until then I would tighten the reins and make sure no one forgot I was Pakhan.
Samuel drove in his car behind me. I didn't want to have to depend on Esilev for a ride back to the house. I wouldn't tip my hand as of yet, but I would be watching my back even more closely than normal. I had a family to protect not just myself. I looked at the ring on my finger, I wasn't even sure she'd noticed I was wearing one. I wanted the world to know I was taken as much as I wanted to make sure everyone knew she was mine.
We pulled up outside the warehouse and both Samuel and I approached the building. As soon as I opened the door the smell of blood and death reached me. The man who had tried to abduct my daughter was still here, although Naleena was not available for me to question. I would be questioning him.
Esilev was leaning against a table with a cigaret in his hand, he watched us approach with that sly eyed look I had seen so often in him, especially here, where he played with the lives of those who went against the Bratva.
"Samuel, what are you doing here in my playground?" He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Too many people are getting sloppy. I decided to take care of disposing of Naleena myself to make sure it was done right. After all she has spent much time in the Pakhan's house, having her found would lead to too many questions." He shook Esilev's hand.
"Well thought brother, well thought. I believe perhaps she had a heart condition we didn't know of. I had used the electricity as I have many many times before. Only she convulsed and then she did not move again. I checked her and she was dead." He shook his head in disappointment, supposedly.
I shrugged, "Things happen from time to time. The man from the park is still here, so I will question him tonight, to see if we can piece together who has tried to harm my family twice this week. Someone will pay, and pay dearly for their foolishness."
Samuel and Esilev smiled evil smiles to match my own, and Samuel went to the chair where Naleena's body was propped, threw her over his shoulder, and walked out of the warehouse.
"That was wise Pakhan, having Samuel make sure a woman who could be tied to you was disposed of properly." Ne nodded in apparent respect.
I just nodded without speaking, then we went to the man who had attempted to kidnap my child and pulled him from the cage where he had been kept. Esilev tied him to the chair where just moments ago Naleena's body had been.
"I am going to ask questions you would be wise to answer, unless you crave pain, which I am most happy to give you. I have made it an art to cause as much pain as possible while keeping someone alive for a very long time. So think on that before you tell me stupid lies."
He was nervous and sweating, "What is your name?"
"Peter, Peter Josheff." He whispered.
"Very good Peter. Now, who hired you to kidnap the daughter of the Pakhan?" I watched him closely and I saw him swallow.
"I don't know Pakhan, I am a hired gun, we were contacted through a website, and given the job. We received a down payment for our services. We were simply told to go to this park and abduct the girl. We were provided with her picture." I wasn't sure how much was truth and how much was only partial truth, we would see.
"You had no idea when you took the job the child you were contracted to kidnap was the child of the Pakhan?"
"No, Pakhan, I would never have taken the job if I had known whose child she was." he was sweating profusely, no doubt in nervousness.
"Do you have any contact information or names of the person who contacted you or paid you for the job?" I tilted my head as I watched him.
"No, it is on a dark website, there's no names, only pseudonyms, to protect everyone."
"What was the name of the person who hired you on the site?"
"Vozmezdiya, was the name on the site." I shook my head.
"Angel of vengeance, how very interesting. So this person wishes to revenge himself or herself upon me. We shall see who gets revenge upon whom. So, what were your instructions for what you were to do with her once you grabbed her and stuffed her in that van?"
I watched all of the color leach from his face.