“But years ago I made a decision for our clan that took us from Moscow and brought us back to Georgia. I issued a command that many took offense to and it cost us our standing in Russia, and with the rest of the Vor V Zakone.
“I still stand by my decision, but it’s no secret it has damaged this family’s reputation. This is our home. Georgian blood runs through our veins. But in order to rule strong, we need to be back in Moscow. And we need to claim our slice of New York, too.”
We both nodded, listening to every word our papa said. He spoke of our clan all the time. He spoke about regaining our place in Moscow after the murder of our rival’s boss. Mr. Jakhua, another Georgian boss, and my papa were always in meetings. They always planned to overthrow the Volkov Russians. My papa hated the Volkov Russians. He said they were greedy and needed taking out.
Anri and I hated the Russians. Papa taught us how to hate them.
Papa leaned forward. “When I was eight, I began listening in on business meetings of the family. You are both eight, and there’s no better time to start than now. You’ll learn the family business, then when you’re older and I’m gone, you’ll both rule our clan.” Papa smiled and sat back proudly. “Two male heirs. I have two strong young men to carry the Kostavas back to greatness.”
Anri elbowed me in the side. I smiled as he nodded in pride.
Papa stood and opened up his safe. He pulled out two black boxes and gave one to each of us. Papa sat back down and pointed at the boxes. “All the men in our family get one at your age. It’s tradition.” He waved his hand. “Open.”
I carefully opened the box at the same time as Anri. A gold necklace sat on a bed of velvet. I ran my hand over the emblem and Papa leaned forward. I looked up and he pulled his necklace out of his shirt collar.
“It’s the same as mine. My father had one, too.” A smile spread on his lips. “Be proud to wear them. You’re the future of this family. You’ll fix my mistakes.”
Anri stood and clutched his necklace to his chest. “We will get revenge for you, Papa. When we’re older we’ll take back Moscow for you. We’ll take New York.”
I stood beside Anri and did the same. “We swear it, Papa. We’ll make them all pay.”
Papa stood, and with a hand on each shoulder, asked, “Who will you destroy?”
We took a deep breath, and recited three names we knew by heart, “The Volkovs, Tolstois, and Durovs.”
Papa smiled and threw his arms around our shoulders. He led us out of the door. Mama and Grandmama rushed over to help us put our necklaces on. They beamed with pride. My mama stepped back and put her hands to her mouth. “My sons,” she beamed, and ran her hand over the necklaces on our necks.
“Dinner. We celebrate!” she said, and scooted us all out into the yard.Anri pulled on my arm and we snuck into a doorway. He laid his hand on my shoulder and said, “We are strong. We must remain strong to be the heirs Papa wants us to be.”
“I will,” I replied, “we will,” and Anri put his hands on my cheeks.
“We’re brothers, Zaal. Until the end. We’ll always be together. We’re stronger together.”
He gripped my hand and we walked toward the table. The whole family was there. Two seats were free at the top of the table beside Papa.
Zoya saw us coming and ran toward us. She jumped into my arms. “Zaal! Can you sit beside me?”
I nodded my head. As the eldest brother, Anri sat beside Papa with me next to him.
“Come,” I said to Zoya, and sat her down on her seat. I slid in next to Anri. Papa made a toast. The servants brought the food.
Suddenly a loud crash sounded in the house. Papa clicked his fingers to the guards. “Go see what it is.”
But the guards didn’t move.
My papa dropped his fork and rose from his seat. He glared at the guards. “Go and see what that was. Now!”
All of us were still around the table. The guards rolled their necks. They smirked at my papa, then they raised their rifles.
A crash sounded again. Suddenly, Mr. Jakhua, my papa’s friend, entered the yard, with lots of guards following him.
A hand suddenly grabbed mine. When I looked down, I saw it was Anri’s. I was shaking. Shaking so bad. Anri squeezed my hand and mouthed, “Dzlier. Be strong. Keep strong.”
I nodded as my heart began to race.
Then Zoya crawled into my arms, tucking her face against my neck. She whimpered. My papa stepped toward Jakhua. A guard suddenly jumped in front and pointed a rifle to his chest.