Mikhail
Silence dominates the stuffy room as concrete trucks barrel past the double-hung windows, heading toward the long, towering chutes. We watch from the window as the truck is lined up beneath the chute before the concrete is poured. The large barrel spins methodically, taking a little sting out of my building anger.
I shake my head, clenching my teeth. "You spoke before I arrived."
Alexander holds his palms up as if to calm me down. The condescending gesture only makes me angrier. "We could hardly ignore a pakhan while we waited," he replies.
I fix him with a blistering look. "You've had plenty of practice ignoring your own."
Gunsyn steps forward. "Mikhail Ivanov, we were only discussing the present situation while we waited. All facts you already know."
I raise my finger to si
