Iffy grabbed her scissors last week asnd started dancing. She decided it was time to revisit our Russian Wolves in New York City when she saw the Thursday Threads prompt of *”He’d been a force of nature.”* Gosh, I had no idea that there was an impending power struggle in Brighton Beach. Now I do. And we all know when it comes to takeovers, the Wolves are always front and center. I wonder if I should come up with a “tag” for the Russian Wolves like I did for Boston. Boru’s Wolves has double meaning. Not sure I can do the same in NYC. Something to ponder. Anyway, here’s a totally random snippet based on the prompt.

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People gathered quietly in the dark room. Heavy curtains draped the windows shuttering the sunshine. A faint nightlight cast a soft blue halo where it sat on the bedside table. The bed-ridden man’s breath rasped. He’d been a force of nature once but time and excessive living took their toll.

The doctor straightened and removed the stethoscope from his ears. “It won’t be long now.” His voice remained low and reverent. A loud wail followed his pronouncement.

The two men across the room offered indifference to the soon-to-be widow. She was the dying man’s fourth trophy wife and everyone present knew she was only there for the money.

“He’s stubborn,” the dark man murmured.

“Of course he is,” his companion agreed. “He won’t let go until there is nothing to cling to.”

“We must make plans, Mikhail.”

Misha’s lips curled briefly at Dmitri’s assertion. “You think?”

“Ah, you already have one.” Dima should not have been surprised.

That brought on a full smile. “What do *you* think?”

“I think, Misha, that no one should ever underestimate you.”

“Us, Dima. All of us. The others are moving their chess pieces and think to use us as pawns. It is time we show them we are the king, the bishops, and the knights.”

Dima nodded toward the busty blonde. “What about the queen?”

Lifting his chin, Misha indicated a man with avarice in his eyes. “Let the rooks deal with her. Before they realize we are even in the game—checkmate.”
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FYI, I did garner an Honorable Mention for the above. Yay! I’m still not sure what project will follow MOONSTRUCK: RETRIBUTION–which, BTW, I’m enjoying revisiting the books invovled and getting reacquainted with the characters–but the Russian Wolves seem to be hanging out in the corner conspiring. We’ll see. In the meantime, writers, grab the prompt and free write if it will help. Readers, what force of nature is inhabiting your life at the moment?