“What’s your story, Aiden? You lost your brother and the way you lost him would send anybody over the edge.But look at you… you seem like you got it together.” Viktor died right in our building over there in a shootout.It was in another attempt to kill us when Massimo was reforming the Syndicate.
Aiden shakes his head. “Don’t be fooled.I don’t have everything together.I might look like I do, but I don’t.With my brother’s passing, I became the boss, and it’s hard in the Bratva.Maybe harder to prove yourself than in la Costa nostra.Especially when I still want to just grieve.I don’t because he would have wanted me to be strong.”
“He would,” I agree. “What happened before then?What made you turn to drugs?”
He hangs his head down and when his gaze climbs back up to meet mine, the pain that consumes his stare is enough to tell me whatever sent him over the edge was really bad.
“Story for another time, old friend.Let’s just say I had it all, then I didn’t.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, do not be. It was… my fault.No one can be sorry for me.”
What happened to him? It sounds like he had more grief, more death.That lost look in his eyes looks like old pain that's taken up root in his soul.
"So, anyway..." He straightens, and the tone of his voice suggests he wants to change the subject."Good to have you back. Now I guess we can get down to business."
"I haven't found anything more since I've been back.Our men have been hard at work on the streets, but it's been crickets."
"It's going to be difficult tracking down men like that.I did not even know Kazimir was alive still.Tell me about these files you have for Alfonse.Have you looked through everything?"
I have to laugh. "That would take me another two years.There were files and there were links.The man must have made a fucking fortune as a spy with all the jobs he did.I'm grateful for what I found.There's more to look at though, much more.I've only been looking for the last seven months." I wasn't able to do it before because of my treatment.I wish I had looked sooner though.
"Let me help you. I think you and I are more alike than what you know."
"How so, old friend?"
"Where did you learn to hack?"
"Tech geeks at M.I.T, but I picked up a thing or two of my own along the way."
"Okay M.I.T boy I learned to hack in prison from criminals who would trade you a secret for a cigar."
"No way." I laugh.
"Yeah. So, I'm sure between us we can get something organized."
"That sounds good. I'll send you the link to the file later."
"Perfect."
My attention is taken away when I catch sight of a familiar blond head across from us walking up the wide stone steps leading to the building.
Candace hugs a foolscap folder close to her chest, completely oblivious to my stare.She has her hair in her usual fishtail braid.It runs elegantly down her left shoulder, resting at the edge of her breast.
The little blue summer dress she's wearing caresses her body the way I want and compliments her sun-kissed skin.
Aiden chuckles and I look away.
"My God, I don't think I can remember the last time I saw a man look at a woman like that." He chuckles.
"Like what?" I'm interested to know how obvious I look.
"Like you want to fuck her. Are you not with her anymore?” he asks.
He didn't know what happened before I left, and it looks like he still doesn't.
“No.”