THE MEETING

Lazar's POV 

My black SUV rolled to a stop outside the old wine cellar on the outskirts of town.

It didn’t look like much from the outside. One would think it's just another forgotten structure tucked between hills and wild grass but underneath it was where the real business happened.

Six powerful branches of the mafia family.  One secret room. And they were all waiting for me.

This building had to be one of the most secured buildings in the world. 

It was currently housing a lot of important people.

Rodosov stepped out of the car and opened the door for me.

I stepped out of the car, my boots crushing the dry gravel as I adjusted the cuff of my coat. 

It was quite windy. I took a quick glance around as my men bowed to welcome me even the guards of other families bowed in respect.

Today was a very important day, I wasn’t here to make friends. I was here to make a statement.

My guards opened the steel door for me and I descended the narrow stairs, my footsteps echoing in the silence.

“Are they inside?” I asked Rodosov who was beside me.

“They are all inside.” He answered.

I walked through the metal detector, just a normal procedure to make sure no one walks into the conference room with any weapon or listening device.

“Good.” I muttered under my breath. 

The door to the meeting chamber swung open as I approached.

Each family head could only bring one person along with them to the room but today was an exception. 

As much as I trusted Rodosov, the other family hated his guts. This time around it would only be the family head in the room.

“I will be out here.” Rodosov whispered as I walked in.

All six heads of the families were already seated around the long mahogany table, their respective house colours subtly stitched into their suits. 

My eyes scanned them all quickly from Mechinko in pale blue, Kragor in deep green, Delvano in silver, Romark in black, Rodosov in yellow, Cragston in navy blue. And of course, I wore red, the Sokolov red.

As soon as I stepped inside, they all stood up to show respect.

These were men who had done some horrible things in their lives. Their gaze was cold and distant but at the same time alert.

And no matter how many ambitions or secret deals might be crawling beneath those expensive suits, they knew who ruled.

The Sokolov family had led the mafia for generations. My bloodline built this empire. And I had no plans of letting it slip to anyone else. Not now. Not ever.

“Gentlemen,” I said, sliding into my seat at the head of the table.

The rest followed suit and sat down slowly.

Cragston, the oldest and the most senior amongst all of us in terms of age, cleared his throat while gently leaning forward.

“We were told this meeting was urgent,” he said.

“It is, and I’ll get straight to the point as I believe everyone has something to do and time is money.” I said calmly, resting both hands on the table

Their attention sharpened.

“It’s about Trevor Sokolov.”

A few glances were exchanged. One or two jaws tightened. The name alone was enough to draw tension in a room full of hardened criminals.

“That traitor?” Mechinko muttered under his breath.

I nodded. “Yes. That traitor. My uncle. And as of two days ago, the man who attempted to kill me.”

Cragston blinked. “You’re sure it was him?”

“I don’t make claims without evidence,” I replied, locking eyes with him.

Romark crossed his arms. “So you’re saying he violated the blood law?” he asked.

“It wasn’t just an attack, It was a betrayal of the highest order. And by our code, that’s grounds for war.”

A tense silence spread around the table like smoke. The word “war” wasn’t tossed around lightly in our world.

No one liked war. War meant death and death trials meant giving the police something to work with which leads to slow business and loss of money.

I hate war and I was sure everyone in this room also did but it was what needed to be done.

“I brought this before you, because although he’s been cast out of the Sokolov name for years, he still shares our blood. And when blood is spilled within the family, everyone feels the stain.”

Krager raised a brow. “So what are you asking?”

“Nothing, I didn’t come here for permission. I came to inform you that Trevor has declared himself an enemy of the mafia, which means I will deal with him as such. Anyone found working with him… will be dealt with.”

“You mean…?” Delvano asked hesitantly.

I leaned forward. “I mean I will eliminate that entire family line from the sons, daughters, grandchildren down to the unborn. No one will be spared.”

The weight of my words settled heavily into the room. No one doubted I meant it.

“We should have killed him when we had the chance. You spared him now he is back to bite your ass.” Machiko argued.

“Let's calm down.” Cragston intervened as I was two seconds away from smashing his dumb head into the table.

“We don’t involve ourselves in internal feuds, if he attacked you, then he brought it on himself. But our branches have nothing to do with him.” Rodosov said carefully.

“I hope that’s true,” I said, scanning their faces. “Because make no mistake, Trevor’s not just a bitter exile he has alliance and if I find out any of you are involved with him…if any of you think this is a good time to shift loyalty or try your luck at the crown…. You better start thinking again.”

“Are you suspecting us?” Delvano asked with a scroll on his face.

“Should I?” I responded.

Silence.

Good.

But I didn’t miss the way Romark avoided my gaze. Or how Delvano’s fingers tapped nervously on the table. Rats always get uncomfortable when the lights come on.

After a few more comments and carefully worded promises, the meeting ended. One by one, the family heads got up, nodding their respect as they left the room.

Cragston was the last to walk out.

“You’ve got your father’s fire,” he muttered as he passed me.

“ Well, it seems like I got his enemies too.”

He gave a short nod and we both walked out of the room.

I walked out of the building with Rodosov beside me. 

As soon as we got into the car. Rodosov looked at me with a serious expression.

“Spill it.” 

“We found one of Trevor’s warehouses,” he said quietly.

I stopped scanning the new order documents I was supposed to approve 

“Where?”

“It is located at the southern docks. Disguised as a textile factory. But he’s moving weapons, Lazar. And not just to anyone…..he’s selling to the Indians.”

My stomach clenched.

The Indians.

I gritted my teeth. Rage boiling inside my chest.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Dead sure.” He replied.

“For years, we’ve had an agreement, They only buy from us. That was the deal.” I growled 

“I know, but we tracked the shipment. It was confirmed. They were moving heavy arms into the Indian's territory and it wasn’t the first delivery.”

My hands curled into fists at my sides. My uncle wasn’t just building a small rebellion, he was trying to cut my throat financially and politically.

“I want you to put a call through to Raneesh as soon as we return to the mansion.”

He nodded. “Yes, Boss.”

My head buzzed with betrayal.

We have offered a lot to the Indians over the years. We protected their interests in Europe,  gave them access to do business in our land, We gave them territory and pulled off other mafias from their necks.

And this was how they repaid me and my family?

Trevor knew exactly where to hit. The Sokolov family ran arms. That was our lifeblood. The moment that supply was questioned, others would start circling like vultures.

As soon as we reached the mansion, I stormed straight into the war room. This is the only place I was sure my calls would not be intercepted as I was using the burner line.

“Get me Raneesh, now.” I snapped at Rodosov.

He pulled out the encrypted device and started dialing.

I sat down on my sit waiting for the call to go through 

If the Indians thought they could break a contract without consequences, they were going to learn the hard way.

I don’t care who Trevor promises to or what he offers in return, there is only one king in this empire.

And I’ll bury every last traitor to keep it that way.

Rodosov handed me the phone.

“It’s ringing.”

I took it.

One ring.

Two.

Three.

Then a click.

“Mr. Sokolov, it's so nice to hear from you again.” Raneesh's familiar thick Indian accent filled my ears.

“Raneesh, it seems like both of us need to have a very serious conversation.”