Wednesday - Another day

With a sinking feeling that weekdays are now some form of personal hell, you leave the office. You're halfway through the week, about to go to your evening job, and it sucks. Working so much never bothered you before, maybe because you didn't have much to look forward to outside of work (you're own fault, you know), but now it does. You want to be home. Spending time with Nadia. With Karina and Mia. Even the bar feels empty without Ana there. You hope she'll be back tonight. Anything to break the monotony.

She isn't. Ivan says she is still sick but on the mend.

"Do you think I should go check on her?" you ask him, before he can wave you away.

He pauses, thinking.

"Yes, please do... it's unusual for her to be sick for so long. How about you close up an hour early and drop by her apartment?"

"Thanks, Uncle, I'll do that."

You turn to walk away, but he stops you.

"And Lev, I haven't forgotten about you. Once Ana is back, we'll discuss your next job. But right now, I have to keep the bar running. Don't want anyone to come snooping."

"I understand, Uncle. Thanks for letting me know."

As promised, you manage the bar for the evening. You send Ana a text to let her know you're stopping by later, and she responds back with an "okay". The clock strikes eleven, so you close everything down and boot everyone out. As you're about to leave the bar, Ivan calls you back into his office.

He is sitting behind his desk, Dmitri to his right. A fat cigar sits between his lips, and a cloud of smoke blows towards you as you take a seat across from him.

"Thanks for coming, Lev. Before you go, I want to speak with you about something. I mentioned earlier that we'd talk when Ana is back, but we need to do it now. Something came up." Despite his calm tone, his thick accent lends an air of drama to what he says. "Tell me, Lev. What do you really know about what we do?"

You shift uncomfortably in your seat. Everyone knows what the organization does. But they don't talk about it. Ever.

He must have sensed your apprehension, as he continues, "Don't worry. This is between us three. Your words won't leave the room. Normally I wouldn't have brought this up so suddenly, but recently I've felt I can trust you. I know you've been working with us for a while, helping with the books, but it isn't the same. So, what's your answer?"

"Well." You start, looking between your uncle and Dmitri. "I know you smuggle goods. ****, for example." Ivan nods, motioning for you to continue. "I heard that you sometimes steal from other organizations, like banks or tech companies. And you're not above a fight if needed." You pause. "Not above killing someone."

Ivan's face is unreadable, and he waits for you to finish without saying anything.

"Lev, it seems you have some romantic ideas about what our group does. Let me clarify for you. Our organization has only one purpose. Making money. We have only a few simple rules: don't act against others within the organization, don't draw attention to the organization, and don't be a fucking snitch."

His voice drops on the last words, and you feel your heart sink. "Uncle, I haven't said anything! I swear I -"

He raises a hand to stop you, with a chuckle.

"Of course not, nephew. I did not mean that. But someone else has. On your way to Ana's, you're to accompany Dmitri to solve that problem. He'll fill you in. Do this, and I'll know you're one of us. And know this - this is not the last time something like this will happen. You must not shy away from it. If you do, I will know, and I will return you to the desk." He points to your usual spot in the corner. "Are you in, or out?"

You think for a few moments, looking between the two men.

"I'm in."