Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75814 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Uncle Ruznik always allowed Aunt Marina to give her two cents regarding the Bratva, but it’s never sat well with me.
Tilting my head, I lock eyes with her. She already starts to bristle before I say, “Who made you the pakhan?”
Her expression instantly turns apologetic.
“I’ll decide how my men are handled and what orders they’re given. You don’t interfere in Bratva matters, and you sure as fuck don’t tell me what to do. Are we clear?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Rodian,” Mom whispers.
My eyes snap to my mother, and I shake my head. “Don’t. I love you both, but being my family doesn’t give either of you the right to interfere with the Bratva. Uncle Ruznik might’ve allowed it, but I won’t.”
I down the orange juice and set the glass down in the sink. When I turn around, I change the subject and ask, “What do you think of Anastasia?”
Mom instantly smiles. “She’s beautiful.”
Dad comes to pat my shoulder and mutters, “As long as she makes you happy, I’m happy.” With that being said, he leaves the kitchen to check on the garden that’s his hobby.
“She looked terrified of us,” Aunt Marina mentions. “And the bruises…” She gives me a worried expression. “Is she recovering okay?”
“Dr. Kravets is very happy with the progress Anastasia has made. Physically, she’s healing fast, and she’s regained some of her weight. The mental side will take longer, but I have faith she’ll get through this.” I exhale a sigh. “Just be patient with her. She gets overwhelmed quickly.”
Both women nod, and just as Mom wants to say something, my phone rings.
I pull the device out, and seeing it’s Oleg Sokolov, I nod at the women before leaving the kitchen.
“Volkov,” I answer.
“Yegor fed you your entire life, and you repaid him by killing him and his family. You have no loyalty,” the old man’s voice rumbles over the line, filled with disgust and rage. “I heard you had your men rape and slaughter the women.” It sounds like he spits. “And now you plan to force Yegor’s beloved granddaughter into marriage. I won’t allow it.”
Even though he pisses me off, my tone remains commanding as I reply, “Careful, Oleg. Are you sure you want to follow Yegor to the grave? Because that’s where this ends.”
“Pig!” he shouts. “I will avenge Yegor.”
“You and me. Face to face. If you’re too old to fight, choose a man willing to die for you. We settle this old school. Winner takes it all.”
He snorts. “You’ve always been too savage. That’s your problem, Volkov. Young, stupid, and have an unquenchable thirst for power you didn’t earn. I want Anastasia. She will marry my son.”
A dark chuckle rumbles from my chest. “Anastasia is mine.”
“I will pardon you if you hand her over to me. I’ll let you and your family leave Russia, never to return. Just give the girl to me.”
“I don’t like repeating myself,” I growl.
“Give me the last member of the Fedorov bloodline!” he shouts.
Done with the conversation, I end the call and dial Andrei’s number.
“What’s up?”
“Sokolov won’t back down. Tell all the captains to prepare their men for attacks.”
“What’s the old man’s problem?” my friend snaps.
“He wants to be pakhan and for me to hand over Anastasia.”
“Are you still going out tonight?”
“Yes.” I walk into my office and shut the door. “The date is very important and can’t be canceled.”
“I’ll be there at six-thirty to guard you myself,” Andrei says, his tone telling me no amount of arguing will change his mind.
“Thanks, moy brat.”
As I end the call, I drop down in the chair behind my desk and rub my fingers over my beard.
Hopefully Zubkob, Yeltsin, and Popov will fall in line and not follow Sokolov.
Blyadʹ, I don’t want to lose more men in this war.
Waiting for Sokolov to attack is not an option. He played his hand and made it clear he won’t accept me.
I have to eliminate him as soon as possible.
Taking a chance, I dial the new number I got for Rosie.
“Wow, and here I thought you forgot about me after all the time we spent together,” the capo, who I helped save, answers the call. “Seriously, I thought we formed a friendship. You only checked on me once? What’s up with that shit?”
“Hi, Rosie,” I chuckle, a wide smile curving my lips. “How have you been?”
“Actually, very good. Enzo asked me to marry him.”
“That’s such great news. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” she replies. “I got the invite to your big day, so congrats is in order for you too. Are you sure about marrying Yegor’s granddaughter, though?”
“I’ve never been more sure about anything.”
“Hold up.” Rosie’s voice brims with curiosity. “Did you fall in love with her?”
“Five years ago. We met at a theater where she worked as a costume designer. It was love at first sight for me, but I lost her.”