Page 6 of Hunt Me

Given I was the firstborn, my brother wasn’t subject to the staunch requirements that had followed the family from Moscow. I should be married with four kids by now. I might be Pakhan, but the old ways should be dead and buried. “Not a chance, brother. I’m not husband material. Dad can push all he wants, but anyone daring to agree to marriage would soon learn I’m a sadistic fuck.”

“You could marry in name only. That way you’d still manage to enjoy your playboy lifestyle.”

“I think you have me confused with the rest of our family.” Kazimir would never settle down, but he was under no duress to do so. There wasn’t a month that went by when our father hadn’t reminded me of my testament to the old ways.

“At least you don’t have blood on your clothes. I can’t believe you handled an issue right before the wedding. You were even late getting to the goddamn church.”

“I also wasn’t a member of the wedding party so what does it matter? Plus, I always keep an extra change of clothes in the car. You know that.” Laughing, I tossed a look in his direction. The issue had been an employee who’d been stealing from us for months. It had taken careful surveillance to determine theculprit. While I might not be the man I’d once been, tempering my anger and my reactions when possible, anyone caught betraying us was dealt with harshly and swiftly.

He’d learned a valuable lesson. While he’d no longer be able to work as a blackjack dealer given his amputee status, he was alive. I’d spared him the ultimate sacrifice.

“You barely managed to stop by the rehearsal dinner.”

“Someone needs to run the empire.” What he hadn’t realized was that I’d only made a brief appearance at Lilia’s request. She’d been concerned I would start a fight. She’d been right.

“Our beloved Pakhan.”

My reputation within the masses of Las Vegas was one of ruthlessness and perfected business acumen, my wealth providing employment to thousands while also aiding charities. However, those who knew me best as well as my rivals understood I had a cold, black heart and was capable of extreme violence and bloodshed without a scrap of remorse.

That had kept crime in our resorts and casinos to a minimum and our enemies at bay.

For now.

As I scanned the room noticing at least two dozen guests who I considered on my shit list for one reason or another, celebrating was the last thing on my mind. I was watching carefully, concerned there’d be a disturbance that would destroy my sister’s tentative hold on happiness.

“Try and enjoy the night, Mikhail. We have full control of the alliance.”

“This is just the beginning of a long and arduous ordeal, brother,” I told him. While Giovanni Costa genuinely seemed to care for my sister Lilia, his brothers wore the same expression as I did.

Distrust.

“No, this is the beginning of a profitable alliance. That is if you’d keep your dick in your pants.”

That was my brother’s way of telling me my constant pushback had created strife between the two families. Their union hadn’t been the product of an arranged marriage, a barbaric yet powerful method of bringing peace between two warring families. Lilia and Giovanni had secretly been involved for two years. How the fuck hadn’t I known?

Because she’d been allowed to attend law school thousands of miles away, forging a life of her own.

Something else that burned deep within. Perhaps I was more like my father than I cared to admit.

“I’ll try and keep that in mind,” I told him.

“You should since we have a meeting next week. The outcome will set the tone for the entire relationship.”

“How could I forget?” I lifted the glass to my lips, using the opportunity to allow my gaze to drift from one table to another. At least the fucking party was coming to an end. Dozens of guests had already left, others too drunk to remember which partner they’d arrived with.

Thankfully, most were staying in the hotel, although the thought was met with chagrin on my part.

“Mmm… There’s our sweet mother telling the band what to play. She’s fearless.” Kazimir chuckled. “Maybe I need another drink.”

“Perhaps you should sleep off what you’ve already had.”

“You’re no fun any longer, Mikhail. Since you took over the corporation from our dear father, you’ve become a bore.”

Yes, I’d been promoted to CEO. Kazimir was one of two vice presidents, our cousin Vissarian the second, my other brother Alexsey was COO, and so on and so forth. Yet our father remained on the board of directors. Still actively involved. Still controlling even though often done from his outside throne at his sprawling estate. But the person who’d truly run our empire was our mother.

To the rest of the world, she was a queen, beautiful and confident, kind and generous. But we knew the real woman behind the mask.

Tatiana Dmitriyev was a stern dictator with a love of control. Today’s festivities had been no exception. Everything had been required to be perfect. The cake. The fucking fifty thousand dollars’ worth of flowers. My sister’s dress flown in on a redeye from Italy.