Page 21 of Cruel Russian Pakhan (Safin Bratva #1)

“How many of ours are down?” Marten asked, stepping into the downtown office. I heard two more sets of footsteps behind him. He didn’t come alone.

I stood at the window, hands buried in my pockets. Jaroslav lounged on the sofa behind me, silent until now.

“Five with shrapnel and lacerations. Two in ICU, third-degree burns,” he said flatly.

“What the fuck happened?” Marten demanded.

I didn’t turn. My voice was controlled as I spoke, barely. “Explosive device. It was hidden in a food delivery box sent to the casino.” I let the words settle. “It didn't bring the place down, but it sent a message loud enough.”

“From whom?” Pyotr asked.

“Artyom,” Avit bit out. “After declaring us the enemy and that mess with Lev a few days ago? I’d stake everything on it.”

“What’s the fire chief saying? Explosive type? Detonation setup? If we get that, we can narrow it down to who created it,” Marten pressed.

“I don’t give a fuck who built the bomb,” Jaroslav cut in. “I want the name of the bastard who gave the green light.”

I was already running on fumes. I hadn’t been eating or sleeping since dragging Katya out of Artyom’s house, because she had shut me out completely. Every morning and evening when I entered her room, she turned away. But before she did, I noticed her eyes. The spark that was once there was gone.

Now, she was haunting my every fucking thought. Every last one.

And now this? A daylight strike on our turf?

When Artyom declared us the enemy, the goal was to wait until he made a move. Well, the fucking bastard made one, and it was time for me to make ours.

I turned from the window and stormed out, my brothers right behind me. I pulled out my phone and called Timur.

“Find Artyom. I want his location. Now.” I ended the call before he could respond.

“Lev, what are you doing?” Jaroslav asked, catching up.

“Artyom fired the first shot. It's time for me to fucking reply.”

Jaroslav jogged ahead and blocked my path, hands up. I stopped inches from him, jaw tight.

“Lev, we don't know if he was behind it. We have to do our own investigation.”

“As soon as Timur tells me where Artyom is, I'm going to question him.”

“You can’t go in half-cocked, Lev. He’ll bury you.”

“I won’t be alone. You’re coming. So is my entire detail.”

He hesitated. “Lev, this isn't how we do things.”

I stepped closer, voice ice-cold. “You’re my brother. But don’t forget who you work for. I lead. You follow. Are we going to have a problem?”

His jaw clenched. “No.”

“Good.”

Reluctantly, he stepped out of my way. I walked until I came to the SUV and hopped in. Rocco was already behind the wheel. I watched as Jaroslav talked with the others as they stared at the vehicle. Then, he nodded, made his way to the SUV, and hopped in beside me.

My phone buzzed. It was Timur.

“Boss, he’s at their strip club. VIP lounge. Columbus Boulevard.”

I hung up. “Rocco. Rykov. Columbus.”

Rocco nodded and pulled out. The ride was dead silent. I’d never pulled rank on Jaroslav before, not like that. It didn't sit right with me. But, despite our rift, Jaroslav knew the importance of having my back in what I was about to do.

We pulled up twenty minutes later, and I got out without a word. Doors slammed behind me, but I didn't stop. I knew my detail was behind me. I had one focus and one focus only as I entered the club.

The bouncers saw me, saw us, but no one moved.

I walked straight through to the VIP level. There were six doors, only one closed. I didn’t bother to knock; I threw it open.

Two curvy topless strippers were grinding on Artyom, who was throwing one-dollar bills at them.

“How do you expect to make maximum profit when you're sampling the product?” My tone was murderous.

Artyom didn’t flinch. “I’m killing every bouncer who let you in.”

“Like you tried to kill my men in the casino?” I growled. “That little bomb stunt was weak. Barely dented the damn floor.”

“Yet, here you are.” Artyom turned to the strippers. “Out.”

They scattered.

“I’ve been here all day,” he said, glaring. “Didn’t order any fireworks. Although, knowing someone has attacked your business has made my day a little bit brighter.”

I laughed, dry and low. “You think being here gives you an alibi? You’ve got a whole crew for dirty work.”

He snapped, “If I wanted your casino gone, Lev, there’d be ashes, not just a fucking dented door.”

“He’s right,” came Yegor’s voice from the door.

I didn’t turn.

“We had nothing to do with it,” he said. “You’ve been collecting enemies, Lev. Just like you’ve been collecting wives.”

That got my attention. I turned, fists clenched. “What the fuck did you just say?”

Yegor stepped forward, no fear in his eyes. “You heard me. And if you think about drawing on me, I’ll forget you married my sister and put you in the fucking ground.”

“Jaroslav’s got a piece on Artyom right now.

I could take you before your next breath.

And if we both die, we’ve got three more brothers to run our faction.

But if you and Artyom go down, you think playboy Zakhar can hold your faction together?

Our people will rain hell on every inch of your territory until there’s nothing left. ”

Artyom spoke from behind me. “We’ve got eyes on your sisters. That fancy little shop they love? It’ll be Swiss-cheesed with bullets if you don’t walk the fuck out of here.”

Rage lit my blood. I turned, gun drawn, ready to kill him…

He threatened my sisters.

And for that, he signed his fucking death warrant.

A firm hand landed on my shoulder. Jaroslav.

It made me pause long enough to think.

Artyom and his brothers didn’t do this. He was too arrogant; he would've been gloating. And he was right. If he had done it, the damage would've been a lot worse.

“The next time you threaten my sisters, I will put a bullet through that thick fucking skull of yours.”

I turned and walked out.

The ride back was quiet. Jaroslav stared at me the whole time. I leaned my head back and shut my eyes.

You almost fucked up again, Lev.

Keep going like this, and you’ll end up dead, or worse, get one of your siblings killed.

Thirty minutes later, Rocco pulled into the compound. He jumped out, leaving just me and Jaroslav in the SUV.

“It’s about Katya, isn’t it?” His voice held concern.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. I didn’t answer.

“Lev,” he said, “your faction needs you. Your family needs you. This version of you? He’s reckless and dangerous. If you want Katya, fix it. If not, hand her to Artyom. But right now? You’re no use to anyone.”

He didn’t wait for a response. Just got out and slammed the door.

I let out a long breath and ran my hand through my hair.

He was right.

If I was going to be Lev Safin again, the real one, I needed my mind clear.

The only way to do that was to make things right with Katya.

And as I stepped out of the car and headed for the house, I knew one thing for sure.

I was getting her to talk to me, no matter what it took.

Once inside, I took the stairs two at a time. I turned the knob of her door and walked in.

Katya was on the bed, reading. The moment she saw me, she turned away.

I kicked off my shoes, shrugged off my jacket, not caring where it landed. I climbed in behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist.

She twisted so fast our heads nearly collided. Her eyes were wide.

“W-what are you doing?” she whispered.

Her breathing quickened under my touch and desire swam in her eyes.

“We need to talk.”

She tried to pull away, but I held her tighter.

God, I’d missed this.

Her softness molded into my hardness, the scent of her shampoo…just her.

“About what?” she snapped. Her blue eyes blazed, and the defiance in them set my soul on fire.

I fucking loved her like this.

Untouchable. Unafraid. Even when she was furious with me.

“You made it clear what I am to you. A pawn. A wife of convenience. Fine. You’re just my roommate. Now that we've had this little talk, get out.”

A roommate?

The growl rumbled from my chest before I could stop it. She flinched.

I closed my eyes. Get a grip, Lev.

“I’m sorry,” I said. My voice came out rougher than intended. “I’m sorry for what I said. For putting a gun to your head. For scaring you.”

I met her eyes. “But I’m not sorry for getting you out of that house. Artyom isn’t someone I trust. He wouldn’t have let us just walk out. I did what I had to do.”

She was silent, studying me like she was trying to figure out if I was being sincere.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “For apologizing.”

I knew I shouldn’t push. I knew she wasn’t ready. But I needed to taste her. Just once.

I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers, lightly. She moaned, sending a rush of blood straight to my cock.

I pulled her closer, gently shifting us until her head rested on my shoulder, her arm around my waist. She didn’t resist. She snuggled in, and I sighed contentedly.

And for the first time in days, my body stopped fighting itself.

With her in my arms, and accepting my apology, I finally let go and drifted off to sleep.

I woke up when a vibration buzzed in my pocket. I pulled out my phone. It was Jaroslav. The screen read 10:30 p.m.

Katya was still curled against me.

I answered quietly.

“We’ve got another hit,” Jaroslav said, angrily. “Another explosive. This time at the warehouse.”

I clenched my jaw and exhaled slowly as he relayed the details. Carefully, I disentangled myself from Katya, my movements reluctant despite the urgency. I slipped on my shoes and jacket, then paused to press a light kiss to her forehead before slipping out to meet Jaroslav.

***

After that night, the attacks increased in frequency and in destruction.

The past two weeks had been hell. Jaroslav and I were constantly chasing shadows, trying to extinguish chaos that only kept multiplying—firebombings, sabotage, thefts. Whoever this enemy was, they were relentless, with no clear pattern. Every move was random, impossible to predict.