Money In Progress (Nebesa's Gate Casino)

[Sofia Vasilieva]

Pavel (Pasha) Vasiliev

In one of the private suites, Pavel sat amongst associates, suited and stern-faced. When a messenger was allowed through the armed men at the door to whisper into his ear, he frowned and glanced at his watch. He did not involve himself in his sister’s marriage, though sometimes he perceived it as not much more than little Linochka with a bright-eyed puppy tight in her stubborn grip. But in the current climate she needed a husband, not a pet. “Alina?” he queried, and nodded at the answer given as to her whereabouts and safety. His sister had never been part of the turbulent undercurrent of family business, and he preferred to keep it that way. She would not know that family security had been tightened of late, and Pasha would not be so remiss as to preclude a sibling who nonetheless had a family and protector of her own. He held a rather dismal view of a man who chose his kicks before familial duty though. Maksim ought to have at least gone home first. If anything ever happened to Alina, and his fault or negligence lay at its root, not even Scion Marveet would be able to protect him from Vasiliev vengeance. 

A number of recent, low-key deaths had changed the field of play; that being the cause of concern, and the theme of the meeting. A home invasion gone wrong, was the official line. But the Syndicate’s leaders had been decimated. Who or why was not yet known, but someone was sure to sweep in the vacuum. In the meanwhile Pasha aimed to shore up the connections and alliances Yun Kao’s death left flapping in the wind.