Claim

An asset like Ivan. Or Aksana.

“Well connected might be the understatement of the year in this case,” Ronan said. “Ivanov is rumored to have a back channel to the Russian president. Some even say he’s the power behind the throne.”

Unease wound its way through Lyon’s body. He’d expected an oligarch to be behind Aksana’s spending. Only an oligarch could fund her extravagant purchases.

But he hadn’t expected an oligarch with ties to Vympel and the Russian state.

“Fuck,” Lyon said.

“My sentiments exactly,” Ronan said. “I don’t envy you, but it goes without saying that the Syndicate will help if it can. We aren’t eager to work in the same town as a bratva led by someone like Ivanov.”

Ronan was calling a spade a spade. If Lyon were removed, it was possible Vadim would allow Ivan Demenok to lead the bratva in name, although Lyon had his money on Ivan’s quick assassination and replacement by Vadim himself, but either way, the Syndicate would be confronted by Vadim Ivanov with the full backing of the Russian government.

And a man like Vadim would make Lyon look like a choir boy.

“You know what they call him?” Ronan asked. “Ivanov?”

“What?” Lyon asked.

“Vadim the Terrible.”

It was obviously a play on his surname, a nod to Ivan the Terrible, a paranoid rage-filled leader who had murdered his oldest son.

“Wonderful,” Lyon said drily.

Ronan slapped him on the back. “Keep us posted.”

“Will do,” Lyon said. “And Murphy?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks. For the use of your cyber lab and the offer of help. I may need it.”