Flawed Read online

  “Viktor, it’s so nice to see you and…” Her eyes flicker to me.

  “My brother, Nikolai.”

  “Nice to meet you.” She reaches out a hand and I take it firmly in mine. Her hands are soft, not like someone who’s used to manual labor. She has to be younger than me, so maybe she hasn’t built up calluses yet. Or maybe she’s just fucking my uncle. A more likely reason.

  “Mr. Kosh is outside by the dock,” she says.

  We take a few steps inside and she closes the custom wood door behind us. When she’s out of earshot, I lean over to my brother and quietly say, “He’s fucking her, right?”

  Vik shrugs. “If he wasn’t, I would be.”

  We walk through the house, along the marble floor that’s probably worth more than Vik’s truck. A massive crystal chandelier hangs above us. I glance at Vik. He’s living in a basic bungalow with probably little in the bank and my uncle is living like a king. This is just another reason why I don’t want to work for him. He says we’re family, but family shares and clearly, this man is keeping most of his profits for himself.

  We exit through the French doors at the back. Past the big backyard with an in-ground pool and a tiled barbecue pit, then continue down a gentle-sloping hill. Yuri sits in a wooden lounge chair by a jetty on the lake. A small boat gently bobs in the water as the wind blows against the sail. Yuri’s salt and pepper hair catches the wind, too, and he smooths it off to the side to cover a small, circular bald spot. My predicament hits me harder now I see him. I’m basically selling my soul. There’s no question about that. So I have to ask myself, is she worth it? I already know the answer. I’ve hurt her and this is a way to make things right.

  My body tenses as I inch closer. This conversation is going to be like swallowing nails. No way he planned on this situation, but I want to blame him for it. I can certainly blame him for wanting Jack dead. Normal people don’t kill men who’ve wronged them. According to Viktor, the police have already returned what was stolen, so what’s the point of revenge?

  “I love sitting out here,” Yuri says as we reach his chair. “So peaceful.” A pleasant smile covers his thin lips. He almost looks normal, like any other middle-aged man enjoying the scenery in his own backyard.

  “Uncle Yuri,” Viktor leans down to give our uncle a hug. Then he takes a seat in the chair to Yuri’s left. He helps himself to some peanuts Yuri had in a bowl on the table, popping them in his mouth while he stares at the boat.

  “Uncle Yuri,” I say with a nod.

  “Nikolai, this is a surprise. It’s good to see you, my boy. I wondered if going straight meant we would see less of you. I hope not. In fact, your aunt and I are celebrating our anniversary on the thirtieth, so I hope to see you there.” His smile changes now, taking on an almost snake-like quality. It makes me want to take a shower.

  “Will you come?” he asks. “To her party?”

  “Of course.” If Yuri offers an invitation, you accept. It’s the way it is. No one says no to him because they’d worry it would offend. And offending Yuri is not smart. Sure, he seems tame right now. But that’s why he’s so fucking scary. He’s smiling one minute, and the next he’s picking up a golf club and beating you with it until even a doctor can’t separate flesh from bone.

  “Good man,” Yuri says.

  “Uncle, Nikolai and I’d like to talk to you about some business,” Viktor says.

  Yuri leans forward in his seat. He takes a glass of vodka off the table in front of him and downs the small drink as he tips his head back. “I’m all ears.”

  “It’s about the theft,” I say, after a beat.

  “Ah, yes. Can you believe someone would steal from me?” He sets his glass down and slams his fist into the table. “Brazen mother fuckers. Their time is almost up.”

  This might be a harder ask than I thought, but I have to try. For Ivy. “About their punishment…” I begin.

  Now I have his attention. He looks up at me with eyes so narrow they’re practically slits.

  “One of the kids who ripped you off is the brother of someone I once knew. And I’d…like to ask if you’d spare him.”

  He smiles menacingly at me. I guess I underestimated my value to him. Because his coolness has returned and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.

  “Well, you know, I can’t let this act go unpunished. People can’t think it’s acceptable to steal from me. He has to be made an example of. And his friend, of course.”

  “I understand. Perhaps only punish the other one. Let the cops handle Jack.”

  He purses his lips and pretends to consider it. I know his reply before he opens his mouth. “I could do that.”

  “It would make your involvement seem unlikely. Because why punish one and not the other?” A rational explanation. Probably not enough for him to bite, though.

  He runs a finger along his chin as he considers, although I’m certain he’s already made up his mind.

  “The other punk could be the example,” I add.

  “But changing my rules and the way I do business is a big deal. There must be an incentive for me. I’m a businessman, after all.”

  “What do you want?” I ask and then brace myself for his reply.

  He smiles wider. “What I’ve always wanted. My family back together. Working together to achieve a common goal. A better future for us and our children.”

  “I’m sure there’s more in it for you than a happy family.”

  He laughs out loud. “I always loved that about you. Where most edit what they say to me, you’ve always given me your honest opinion—whether I want it or not.”

  “So what is it then?”

  He sighs. “I don’t want you back in the family’s business if your heart isn’t in it. So how about for now you owe me a favor.”

  “And what would that favor be?”

  “I don’t know yet. But I’ll let you know when I do.”

  I roll my shoulders and neck. Owing my uncle a favor is no small thing. It means when he calls to collect I have to do what he says, no questions asked. No matter the deed or how steep the cost to me. I will have to do it. I don’t fear much, but a blind favor has me nervous. What if he asks me for something I can’t give?

  I lick my lips and interlace my fingers behind my head. The sun is dying and the wind picks up, pushing my hair down over my eyes. I comb it back with my fingers.

  Yuri tips his head to the side as he waits for an answer. We both know I’m going to say yes, but I can’t make myself say the words. I nod before turning away, feeling a little better with every step that widens the distance between us.

  “Oh, and Nikolai!”

  I stop and keep my back to him.

  “You’ll take care of the other one. Brent Fergus.”

  “Take care of?”

  “Do I need to spell it out?”

  I wipe a hand over my lips and curb my words for fear that I might lash out and ruin his mood. He wants me to kill someone and owe him a favor? I’m not a killer. I mean, I’ve killed before, but in self-defense. I’ve hurt people, sure, but murder? A stranger? I don’t know if I have it in me. I beat Darren almost to death because what he did was heinous and unforgivable. Could I do that to someone who hasn’t pushed me to the point of blind rage? Just thinking about it turns my stomach. When I spin around, he’s staring at me with a raised eyebrow. He knows I don’t want to do it, and I have to wonder if that’s why he’s making me. Just to be a bastard.

  “I tell you I want to go straight and this is what you ask of me?”

  “Those are my terms if you want to save the kid. It’s up to you now.”

  “Does the kid really need to die?”

  “Oh, come on. Don’t pretend like you’re above it. We both know what you’re capable of. I heard all about that man you killed in prison. So don’t play high and mighty with me, boy.”

  He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I killed that man in self-defense, and I got a lovely scar on my neck to show for it
. I never took pleasure in hurting that guy, and if he hadn’t made it necessary, I would have let him live. I got enough guilt to carry from bad shit I’ve done, I don’t want to add more to my list.

  Clenching my jaw, I shake my head and prop my hands on my hips. I look around the property. Ducks fly overhead in a V-shape and I wish I could fly with them. Away from my family and this fucking town. If it weren’t for Ivy and Vik, I never would have come back. “I told you. I’m not interested in that life anymore.”

  “Give it a few days and then take him out. It might make my involvement seem less likely if it’s not immediate.”

  “I haven’t said yes.”

  “Aww, nephew, but you will,” Yuri says with a smug smile before winking and strolling down to the water.

  6

  IVY: “Look, I’m sorry, all right?” Jack paces my living room. When he stops, he stares at me with those same big blue eyes that stared up at me when we were kids. He’s my younger brother by six years and even though he’s grown now I still feel an intense need to protect him. Looking at him now, with dirty clothes, his hair messy and his eyes reddened from sadness, that need is just as strong as it was ten years ago. He might do bad things, but he’s good, deep down.

  “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

  He puts his hands on his head and closes his eyes. “I’ll fix this.” His voice is quiet. “I’ll do whatever I have to do.”

  “You know Yuri won’t take an apology. He’ll want blood.” Yuri has never been arrested or convicted of any crimes—that I’m aware of. But he’s been questioned an awful lot, about murders and drugs and anything else criminal in this town. At least that’s what Darlene and Agnes have told me, but you have to take their stories with a grain of salt.

  All I know is Niko always smiled when we were together, except after he visited with his uncle. He’d come back to me, crawl in through my window late at night—as he often did—and he’d hold me a little tighter. Sometimes I’d find blood on his clothing and ask him about it. He would give me a faraway stare and tell me sometimes people do bad things, and sometimes they don’t have a choice. I never asked him to elaborate. Part of me feared his answers.

  “What were you thinking?” I ask.

  “I wasn’t. I just…I couldn’t make rent and I…Brent had an idea. Told me he knew of some guys stealing copper and selling it for good money. It was his idea to hit that house out in Brightmore. I didn’t think…I mean…Yuri’s family does bigger stuff. Like apartment buildings and subdivisions. I never thought it would have been his property. And I even asked Brent about it, but he…he said he knew it wasn’t Yuri’s.”

  “Well, he was mistaken.”

  “I’ll fucking say.”

  “Jesus, Jack. You should have come to me.”

  He drops onto the couch, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. “You think I wanted to run to my sister and beg for money? You barely have enough yourself. And I thought maybe if I had enough I could help you with school. I know that’s what you’ve always wanted.”

  “Not like this,” I scoff. I lower myself into the seat beside him. Gently, I place a hand on his shoulder.

  “He’s going to kill me. But he won’t hurt you, right? You’ll be okay?” Tears spring to his eyes and he wipes his nose with the back of his hand.

  “I won’t let that happen.”

  “How are you going to stop it?”

  I bite my lip and a few moments pass before I let out a weary sigh. The last thing I want is to go to Niko for help, but I can’t see any way out of this situation without it. “Niko is out of prison,” I say.

  “And?” his tone changes, shifting from soft-spoken to hard and rough.

  “And he can help us.”

  Jack never loved Niko. He hated him actually. Well, at least, he did after Niko ignored me. Jack saw me at my worst. When I fell apart from a broken heart. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, and all but curled up into the fetal position and gave up. This was the only time in my life that Jack’s and my roles were reversed and he ended up looking after me. It was only after some tough love from my mom and from Jack that I swallowed down my tears and kept on going.

  “Are you kidding me? You stood by him during the trial yet the second he was convicted, he dropped you. He broke your fucking heart and I had to listen to you cry every night. Over a fucking sadistic killer!” He lets out a growl. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “We don’t have a choice.” If we did, I’d be pushing for it.

  “We always have a choice.” He glares at me, shaking his head. “What makes you think he’d even help us?”

  I shrug. “I’m not sure he will, but I know I’d help him if asked me. No matter what happened between us, I think he’ll feel the same.” Although I’m not as confident as I sound.

  “You’re delusional. We need to pack up and leave town. Go somewhere far away.”

  “They’re connected, Jack.”

  “Bullshit. They’re small town criminals. Sadistic ones, mind you, but they’re small town. We could move to a different province and be completely safe. I know it. Please, Ivy. Let’s do this. Come with me.” He grips my shoulders and forces me to look him straight in the eyes.

  “I can’t, Jack. We can’t run away from this.”

  I push up off the couch and make my way to the closet, pull out a jacket and wrap a scarf around my neck. “Lock the doors. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

  “Ivy, I can’t let you do this. This is my problem. I’ll fix it. I can’t let you fight my battles all the time. Especially when it means going to him! And I couldn’t…I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you. Especially if it happened because of me.”

  “It’s not a big deal, so don’t make it out to be one. Niko and I meant a lot to each other, once upon a time. If he cares for me even a little, he’ll do what he can.”

  “Ivy, please.” His plea comes out strangled as color drains from his face.

  “Jack, I’ll be okay.” I force a smile. “Just bolt the door when I leave.”

  After walking out the door, I linger until I hear the chain slide across the door and the dead bolt click. When I turn away, I take a breath. Since picking up Jack, I’ve tried to be calm, but I’m anything but. What he did… It might be enough to get him killed, and I can’t let that happen. I’ve already lost Mom and I can’t lose him too. I take a breath to try and calm my nerves and approach the railing of the patio. I look down on the parking lot and the woods beyond for signs of a threat, a suspicious car or person. But there is no one out here and all the cars are regulars. I don’t want to leave Jack and I’m scared out of my mind, but I know I can’t sit on this. I need to act. Jack will be okay for a little while. I’m sure of it.

  I have no idea where Niko is staying and looking him up on google isn’t going to do me a lick of good. The only way I know how to find him is through his brother and I know where he lives. I might even get lucky and discover Niko is staying with him. It’s probable, considering his mom left town years ago. No way would he stay with his uncle, and his cousins are assholes. More so than Viktor.

  Viktor.

  Sigh. We’ve never managed to get along, and since Niko was incarcerated, he’s become less friendly to me—not that he was all that friendly to me to begin with. Sometimes I catch him staring at me when he comes into the restaurant. Not mean-like, but kind of appraising. Like he’s trying to understand what Niko saw in me. All I see when I look at Vik is his brother. It’s killed me to see him all this time. He reminds me of how broken I was when Niko ended things.

  And now I’m seeking Vik out.

  I turn onto Faulkner and head for his little bungalow just on the border of Farnham Cross and Brightmore, but fortune smiles on me when I see a construction site for an apartment building and Viktor’s truck is in the lot out front. It’s hard to miss. Big silver truck and a license plate that reads Smooth. I roll my eyes at the cockiness. If Niko had a license plat
e like that when we were dating, we never would have made it through the first date. I mean, come on? Though with Viktor I almost think it’s ironic. He’s a handsome guy but he’s not even remotely close to a smooth guy. A better license plate would be Prickly or Dick.

  I pull up in front of his truck. The site is enclosed in a chain link fence. Near the front is a trailer with a big sign on it that reads Kosh Construction. Did a similar sign hang in front of the place Jack and Brent robbed? If so, it makes what he did even more reckless. And it also means he lied, too.

  Viktor is just inside the fence and the gate is open. He’s in jeans and a collared shirt, standing in a semi-circle with men in suits. They look at the construction site while Vik waves his hands in the air and points to one of the higher floors.

  I get out of my old car and head straight for him. Someone at the gate, in a yellow vest and a hard hat, tries to stop me. He holds his hand out and his hard forearm connects with my chest. I almost push right through, but he’s about the size of The Undertaker and his voice is low and powerful. I’m sure he could crush me with his fingers and I’m not about to test him.

  “I need to see him.” I point to Viktor.

  “He’s busy.”

  “Viktor!” I yell. “Viktor!”

  “Lady, you got one minute to get out of here.”

  I ignore him and continue waving wildly. The guy muscles me, but I yell at him to get his hands off of me.

  Viktor is still talking to the men, but after seeing me and doing a double take, he holds up a finger and storms over to me with a scowl on his face. Immediately, I regret my actions. Fantastic. I’ve gone and pissed him off already and I haven’t spoken a word to him yet.

  The gatekeeper shakes his head. “You’ve done it now.”