Page 5 of Hunt Me

Just before I blacked out, I lifted my head, unable to focus.

I rolled over, staring up at the night sky as the little girl was whisked from underneath, the man holding her crouching down. “Thank you, son. Thank you for saving our daughter’s life. If there is anything I can ever do for you, please let me know. I’m indebted. I owe you her life.”

While his face was fuzzy, I memorized his features. After tonight, I would forever be known a monster, yet I hadn’t turned into a child killer. For that, I was grateful.

Just like the man peering down at me, his eyes something I’d never forget.

His identity was unknown, his face unrecognized, but I’d hold the man to his promise. As my father had told me, no good deed ever went unpunished.

CHAPTER 1

Twenty-two years later…

Mikhail

“That should be you, son. This should be your wedding day.” My father’s booming voice held an air of chastisement.

“That would take me finding a bride,” I answered, attempting to hide my disdain.

“You’re not getting any younger and you need to consider your future, not only as Pakhan, but also the importance of producing an heir.”

My father meant to the great Dmitriyev throne. While I was illustrious leader of the Bratva after having brought the family into a new century, he was stuck in the old ways as taught to him by his father and grandfather. Archaic institutions I wanted no part of.

“Go enjoy your daughter’s wedding, Pops.”

“Very well, son, but at some point, you’ll need to heed my words. The Bratva needs your leadership.”

As if by not marrying I was somehow a lesser man. I watched him walk away, noticing my brother was sauntering closer, his grin indicating that he knew exactly what our father had been discussing. When he slid beside me, we both kept our attention drawn to the dance floor where our baby sister was enjoying her moment in the limelight.

“You know how to throw a great wedding reception, brother,” he finally said, as if the subject was any better than the insistence I marry.

I casually glanced at Kazimir, chuckling under my breath. I was standing on the outskirts of the huge ballroom, watching the festivities unfold. There were far too many sparkly things and balloons for my taste. “That’s easy when you have an entire resort at your disposal.”

“Yes, the renowned Ecstasy Resort and Casino, recently given a five-star rating byForbes Travel Guide. Quite the accomplishment.” My younger brother had been swilling bourbon since arriving at the venue. Not that I blamed him. The circus of a wedding had been difficult to swallow.

Maybe I was the only one who understood the alliance between my sister and an Italian prince was an abomination, but I had good reason to feel that way. It wasn’t every day that two enemies were merged, or I should say forced to coexist peacefully because of a love story.

The fact my little sister had fallen in love with a gruff, overbearing son of a bitch from the Costa Cosa Nostra would beconsidered a farce, a nightmare had it not come true. While I adored Lilia, her treachery burned deep within my soul.

I remained on guard, always on edge. Always the enforcer of the family even though we’d moved on from using violence on a daily basis. Our father, Boris Dmitriyev, had commanded every family member to be in attendance. That included my uncle Ivan and my cousins, all of whom were enjoying themselves thoroughly.

They were on one side of the ballroom, the Costa family on the other. Bad blood remained between the families from the days when the Bratva had arrived. The glory days, as my father consistently reminded his children. The days when drugs had flowed freely without fear of police interference. When entertainment wasn’t whitewashed with political stances and controlled by huge corporations.

And the days when killing in the streets had been a daily activity.

That was then. This was now.

The new world of the Dmitriyev Empire had evolved into a highly successful billion-dollar corporation. So had the Costa family, although they’d retreated to Reno, leaving Las Vegas to the Russians. We’d defeated them and the Irish, which was another reason I didn’t like to share in our prosperity. However, we relied on tight contracts as prepared by our attorneys, not by use of force.

Except on rare occasions.

Right now, I felt like using it, forced to remind myself the bad blood was now tempered, even more so by the nuptials.

“You seem jealous,” I threw out. “Perhaps you should spend more time marketing Genesis than sucking down booze.” My brother managed a sister resort only a few miles away from Ecstasy. Both held prime real estate and excellent reputations.

I intended on keeping it that way.

“Oh, come on. This is a celebration.” Kazimir shook his head. “Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find a wife. At least that will get our father off your back.” His laugh annoyed the hell out of me.