Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Plus, any large business moves I made with the Russians would be scrutinized by not only the Japanese government, but all of Asia. The other criminal organizations on this continent. While I could battle them, there was no need to war with every-fucking-body, if I could easily avoid it.
Additionally, the history between Russia and Japan was written in death, dates, and unfinished business. It went back to 1904, when Russia believed East Asia could be absorbed the same way Siberia had been—slowly, through infrastructure, pressure, and presence rather than outright conquest.
By the late nineteenth century, Russia had been extending its influence across the Asian continent using railways, ports, and “temporary” military protection. Russian troops moved into Northeast China under the pretense of stabilizing the region and seized control over a weakened Chinese government.
Then, Russia began exerting influence in Korea through political pressure, bullying advisors, and economic leverage.
Japan sat back and watched all of it.
Korea and Northeast China were not distant interests to Japan; they were strategic lifelines. A hostile power like Russia established there would place Japan within striking distance of invasion.
For generations, European empires had dismissed Asian resistance, and Russia saw no reason to treat Japan differently.
That assumption proved fatal.
In 1904, Japan launched a preemptive strike against Russian naval forces, beginning the Russo-Japanese War. What followed was not a brief skirmish but a modern, industrial death match.
Japan outmaneuvered Russian forces on land.
Destroyed its Pacific fleet.
And later annihilated Russia’s Baltic Fleet.
By 1905, Russia was defeated.
The loss humiliated them and forced the world to acknowledge Japan as a global military power. More importantly, it left behind resentment that never fully faded.
And the relationship never reset.
And the Russians never fully recovered from the insult.
Four decades later, during World War II, the fucking Soviets invaded Japanese-held territory as Japan was already collapsing. It was strategically sound, yet politically unforgivable.
The war ended, but peace never truly followed.
Russia seized the Kuril Islands, which Japan still claims. Even now, decades later, no formal peace treaty has ever been signed between them.
That kind of history leaves scars, and that was why. . .Kazimir and I could never be true allies.
Yet, never true enemies either. Just rivals who understood that war between us would be costly, prolonged, and unpredictable.
Kazimir knew all of this.
Which meant his presence here was deliberate. Russians did not cross oceans lightly. They did not stand beside another man’s execution fire for symbolism alone. And they did not recite shared history unless they were laying groundwork.
If the Lion had come to threaten me, he would have brought an army. If he had come to test me, he would have done it from a distance.
Instead, he came in person. Which meant this was not about dominance. It was about leverage.
I didn’t grab the folder as he held it in front of me. “What will this information cost me?"
Kazimir's smile widened, and at least he finally got straight to it. "The price will be a seat at your Asian Coalition table."
You son of a bitch.
The fire crackled.
More ash fell.
Next to me, Reo shifted his weight—a barely perceptible movement, but I caught it anyway.
He was watching.
Listening.
Waiting to see what I would do.
A seat at the table? No. That’s not just it.
I understood now why Kazimir had come. Why he'd dressed for war. Why he'd stood by the pyre discussing philosophy, history, and the transformation of flesh to ash.
Just like any typical Russian. . .he wants all of Asia.
The Lion had conquered Europe, had sunk his claws into the Middle East, into North Africa, and even the Americas.
But Asia had the Asian Coalition—tons of organized criminal families who had controlled these territories for centuries.
Tradition ran deep here.
Outsiders were not welcome. Not even outsiders with armies, with money, with the kind of power that could level cities.
They didn’t care about his nukes. Kazimir couldn't even buy his way into the Coalition. Couldn't fight his way in.
The Asian families would unite against him before they ever let a foreigner take root in their soil.
But if he had a seat at the table. . .if he had the Dragon vouching for him. . .many doors would instantly open and countless introductions would be made. And soon. . .he would have a true foothold in Asia.
A clear way in.
And once the Lion got his claws into something, he would never let go.
I nodded. “I understand.”
“Then, take it.” He held the folder higher. “Take your victory.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot.”
All amusement left his face. “Why not?”
"If only the Coalition’s table was long enough." I met his gaze and held it. "But at this time, there is no space for a chair."
Kazimir didn't waver. "Perhaps space could be made."
"Perhaps. But not by me."
“Your father and you made that table that you talk about. Put those chairs around it and invited different nations.”
“You honor me, but that is not what happened. My authority over the Coalition is merely an illusion.”