Page 56 of Cruel Russian Pakhan

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.