Proper time? We’ll see about that, Ava.
I smirked as the limo stopped at the meeting place. In the next moment, motorcycles appeared, zipping by the limo and disappearing out of my view. A minute later, they returned, speeding back and then circling my vehicle.
Must we do the big song and dance this morning, Hiro? I haven’t even had my coffee yet.
I let out a long sigh.
They stopped circling, slowed down, and then parked in a line. I almost clapped for the cocky bastards. I was so ready to get this whole interaction over with.
My driver came to my door and opened it.
I left and walked to the center of the parking lot.
Dima joined me with several other men.
In unison, the Xecutioners turned off their motorcycles and climbed off in one motion.
Do they practice things like this?
They returned to the earlier outfits that I’d seen them in the first time we meet. Black zippered pants, black boots, and leather jackets.
Hiro took off his helmet and placed it on his bike. Short black hair outlined his face. That dark red streak decorated the right side of his head.
Walking over, he stopped two feet in front of me and then gazed at the large fortress. “Do you know why they built this?”
I studied him. “The Peter and Paul Fortress was built during the Northern War. They wanted to protect the capital from a possible Swedish counterattack.”
“Did they?”
“That’s debatable.”
“I read that the fortress was hit during World War II.”
“The government restored it later.”
“And then it became a prison? There are lots of different stories.”
“Some of it was true. Other times it was Bolshevik propaganda, portraying it as a hellish, torturous place, where thousands of prisoners suffered in filthy, overcrowded dungeons.”
Hiro’s gaze brightened as he continued to check out the fortress. “But those stories weren’t true?”
“Conditions were less brutal than the legends. Prisoners weren’t cramped in there and they were able to read books, write on paper given to them, and even smoke cigarettes.”
He looked at me. “How do you know that?”
“Many Russian families have priceless silverware, jewelry, or even land passed down from earlier generations. Tons of priceless valuables and heirlooms. In my family, we have decades and decades of prison letters that tell the history of this country.”
“A family of criminals.”
I nodded.
He studied me. “Then, why did people lie about the prison?”
“The propaganda chose to make the fortress’s prison a symbol of the government’s oppression of common folk. The Bolshevik revolution prospered from that. People began to see the government as cruel and unjust.”
“This makes sense.” Hiro smiled. “And the people didn’t really need proof of the prison’s cruelty. They just needed an excuse to hate the government.”
“Perhaps.”
Still watching me, Hiro tilted his head to the side. “Did you think that recording of Leonid convinced me to go against him?”
I stiffened. “It did the job.”
“It did.” Hiro grinned. “I needed something to give back to my leaders and let them know why I chose to go against Leonid’s contract. That recording was a perfect symbol very much like this fortress for the revolution.”
Annoyance hit me. “I’m glad I could do my part.”
“You agreed to help me deal with the Dragon.”
“And how will I honor that contract?”
Hiro grinned. “I’m considering many options. But that’s not why you asked to meet.”
“It’s not. I’m here to outbid Ava’s contract.”
“I never knew you to be a dancing man. How are your pirouettes?”
“Find another way to lure the Dragon out.”
“I don’t take orders from you, Mosquito.”
“Before I killed Leonid, he said that you are Kenji’s half-brother.”
Rage spread across his face. “Now you see why I didn’t mind going against Leonid.”
“You knew he was going to give you all to the Dragon?”
“I guessed it, but wasn’t completely positive.”
“I’m glad you’re good at guesses. Have you guessed what I will do if you involve Ava in whatever problems you have with your brother?”
“Why would I spend my time considering the stupidity of men?”
I stepped forward but didn’t attack. The other Xecutioners headed over and stood behind him. My people joined.
I placed my hands in my pocket. “Ava will not be in Tokyo and there will be no performance for the Dragon dealing with her. Perhaps I’ll get you another ballerina.”
“I like the ballerina I have.”
I leaned forward. “You don’t have her.”
“I do.” Hiro winked at me, took out a lollipop from his pocket, and snatched off the wrapper. This one had dark colors and looked to have some sort of image in the front. Grinning, he placed the lollipop in his mouth.
I sneered. “Candy isn’t good in the morning. It’s bad for your health.”
“So is disturbing my contract with Ava.”
I gritted my teeth. “The Dragon is your brother. You don’t seem like the sort of man that would kill his own family.”
“Perhaps I only want to show Kenji that I can kill him.” Hiro pulled out the lollipop from his mouth. “I think he believes that there is no threat to him. That he has protected himself well.”