Money In Progress (Nebesa's Gate Casino)

[Sofia Vasilieva]

Pavel (Pasha) Vasiliev

A second disturbance darkened a frown to Pavel’s usually stoic expression. A flick of the fingers dismissed those gathered, and he stood from his chair. The call for paramedics would not usually necessitate a personal visit, but current circumstance made a suspicion of such poorly timed coincidence. Whatever Pavel’s private opinion of his brother-in-law, the man was family now – and the Vasilievs closed rank on threat. Pavel attended himself not because one of the casino’s valued patrons had died on the property, but because Maksim had been in attendance when it happened. At the very same table.

The suite door swept open when he approached to exit. He instructed his second on route, until the man peeled away with a nod. A small flank of security remained, though there were no visible firearms on show. The Bratva had legitimacy under Ascendancy’s rule, but it was not ostentatious in its power or violence – and certainly not under its own illustrious and public roof.

The patrons were being filed out and cared for by the casino staff when he arrived. Leonid was old. But even a natural death was not good for business. Meanwhile the casino was already pulling the names of staff on duty. The CIDs of tonight’s high-stakes players. Security footage. Publicly it remained nothing more than an unfortunate tragedy.

“Boss.” His man handed over a folded note almost as soon as he passed the threshold. Clearly handwritten even before he’d flicked it open. “Given to the host.”

Pavel met eyes with the employee standing some distance away with a nod.

When his attention turned to the paper, what he read hardened his jaw. 

[[Pavel would have responded as soon as he was told Maksim was at the table. Assume he enters whenever is convenient. Likewise the paramedics arriving and doing their thing. Once he’s read and pocketed the note Pavel will head for you guys with the intention of checking on Maksim’s welfare.]]