Page 3

Lev

Present Day

“I’m going to get us some food,” Ivan hums, looking at his watch.

“Da,” I say, emotionless, lifting my chin.

I glance at him and pull out my cell to see if I have the GPS working on him. I inhale deeply, trying to cool my fucking temper. I don’t want to question him now in front of my Brats.

He’s been acting strange lately, always sneaking off with one pretext or another. I don’t want to think that he’s up to no good. But he’s making it harder and harder for me not to start questioning his actions.

He's changed over the years, and I don’t like it. The same thought keeps running through my mind. The one that Pakhan always repeated.

Lev, always remember to question and do not trust, not even your shadow.

I watch Ivan, ignoring the mistrust that’s slowly sneaking into my mind. I’m lost in contemplating the recent months as he walks to the elevator, looking at his cell.

As soon as he walks into the elevator and the doors close, I walk to the office. I enter the office, where I deal with all of the Bratva business. It’s located in an office building that I purchased and renovated to make it as safe as my apartment. It’s perfect since I lease the first few floors and use the other floors for the Bratva. floor for my office and my Bratz, of course it’s the top floor. The other floors are offices for the Bratva businesses that I have.

Several floors are studios for my Soldiers; I like to treat them well. Two floors are apartments for the Soldiers who guard my office, my Brats, and me. For the nefarious acts, we own an old warehouse in the poor district, where we store our ammunition, equipment, and the chamber.

My Brats live in the same apartment building that I do; each one has a floor, and that includes Ivan. But it still doesn’t make Ivan happy, especially since I removed access to my apartment. No one is able to enter without me. It’s my haven, my safe house, and I’ll be damned if I give a svoloch’ the opportunity to take me out.

None of us have access to our apartments. We discuss our business here in my office, and only my Brats, Ivan, and I have access. I like to keep control of everything.

I cross the main room to the conference room, running my fingers through my hair. I enter the conference room and look at my Brats. They’re sitting around the table in the big room. Although we have our own offices, we gather here when we meet to review everything.

“It’s about time; we’ve been waiting for you,” Anatoly sighs, shaking his head.

“I was talking to Brigadier Varkov about the new club since he’s in charge of getting it started. He wants to do several floors but with different themes. We’re going with Hellion for the club’s name,” I hum, sitting between my Brats.

“Da, that new club is going to be fucking awesome,” Czar hums, nodding.

“Where’s Ivan,” Anatoly asks, looking at the door.

“He went to get food,” I scoff, leaning back into my chair.

“Da, that’s good. I’m starving,” Czar says, tapping his finger.

“Brat, what did you find out about Conti Famiglia? Do they have the resources to take us out?”

“Nyet. Conti Famiglia is not penniless. Actually, Conti is wealthy, so in theory, yes, he can take us out, but he doesn’t want a war,” Czar says, smiling.

“So, the word in the underworld dark web is that he wants to make strong alliances by marrying off his nieces, so he’s looking for the best offer,” Anatoly scoffs, rolling his eyes.

“Get me an appointment, and give me the files on the two nieces. I want to know everything about them,” I hum, tapping my fingers on the desk and looking out the window.

Da, it’s the perfect opportunity to strengthen the Kravtosv Bratva by forming an alliance with the Italian Mafia Don, Elio Conti.

“What the hell! Are you seriously considering marrying,” Czar asks, raising his brow.

He leans back into the black leather chair, steepling his fingers as he looks at me.

“Da, it’s a thought that popped into my mind when you said that he’s looking for an alliance and the marriage as the forging the alliance. I’m almost thirty, not old, but I want an heir, and a girl that knows what the Bratva and Mafia are all about would make marriage a lot easier,” I state, looking at my Brats.

“Well, I’ll be damn,” Anatoly remarks, smiling.

“Damn,” Czar utters, raising his brows.

“And guess what? You two will marry when the Bratva needs you to, period. Do you understand,” I impart, glaring at them.

“Da,” Anatoly says, nodding.

“Yeah, I get it,” Czar scoffs, rolling his eyes.

“So, get me the information. If possible, get their cell phones so we can track them. I want to check them out prior to selecting the girl,” I say, tapping my fingers.

“I do know that Conti is focusing on selecting a husband for one of his nieces first, so I’ll get you all of her details. Her name is Valentina Conti,” Anatoly hums, looking at his laptop.

“Okay, give me everything that you can find on her.”

“Da,” Anatoly hums, nodding.

“Track Valentina, and let me know if she goes somewhere, like shopping, a restaurant, anywhere that she’s going to spend time. I want to check her out,” I say, looking out the window.

“What if you don’t like them,” Czar asks, raising his brow.

Czar always plays devil's advocate with me and helps me check other perspectives on the issues.

But on this, I’m positive it’s the way to go. Da, it’s a great opportunity because I don’t have time to seek out a bride; it would be close to impossible with my schedule.

“Brat, are you serious? Most women are okay; few are totally unattractive, but I need her, so if she’s decent, I’ll marry her. Of course, I want to check out both of them,” I scoff, rolling my eyes.

“Da, that makes sense. It would be easier if the girl you marry knows about the lifestyle,” Czar says, nodding.

“I think that I have all of the information on Valentina Conti,” Anatoly yells.

“Send me all of it. Let me see,” I say, pushing off my chair.

“Da, I sent you the file.”

“Good.”

I walk around the table and stand behind Anatoly to look at the monitor. Czar, of course, couldn’t resist checking out Valentina Conti.

I stare at the breathtaking, beautiful Valentina Conti. She’s a natural beauty with an oval face and perfectly proportioned features with brown wavy hair. Her olive skin looks smooth, so soft that I want to run my fingers over it. She has a small, straight nose, huge crystal clear blue eyes with long lashes, and sinful pouty lips. Those lips have me thinking of all sorts of depravity.

Da, I’m going to ruin her.

My fucking cock swells, and I grind my molars. It’s a fucking photo, and the girl has me so damn turned on.

Fuck!

“Wow,” Czar hums, staring at her.

My gut twists, and I don’t fucking like Czar making comments.

“Brat, remember she’s going to me, my wife, so fucking keep your thoughts to yourself,” I hiss, glaring at him.

“Damn, Brat, you don’t even know her, and you’re acting all caveman,” Czar scoffs, rolling his eyes.

“I don’t fucking care,” I growl, leaning closer to look into her eyes.

“Do you want me to make an appointment with Conti,” Anatoly asks.

“Yes, do it.”

“Hell, you’re going after her,” Czar hums, looking at me.

“Da, so get me her location and if she leaves her house. If possible, get me any phone numbers that she calls. Especially if it’s a man,” I growl, resting my hands on my waist.

The thought of her having a man in her life makes my blood boil. Now I’m being fucking stupid, suka. I’ve only known about her for about thirty minutes, and I’m acting way out of character.

Fuck!

“Da, it would take me a few minutes. But from what I’ve read, Valentina has been sheltered. She went to an all-girls boarding school since she was eleven, graduated, and has been living with Conti and closely monitored. She only goes out with her cousin Mia, the other niece that Conti wants to marry off,” Anatoly says, looking at the other girl.

I look at her, and she is pretty, but something about Valentina has fucking worked up.

“Hell yes, Mia is beautiful,” Czar says, smiling.

“Well, if you have a good reason to marry her, then I will discuss that with Conti,” I say, crossing my arms and raising my brow.

“Nyet, just saying. I don’t see a reason to marry the other niece since you’re going to marry Valentina Conti; it will forge the alliance,” Czar responds really quickly.

Of fucking course, he would. He doesn’t want to marry.

“I don’t see why you’re being such a wuss about marrying,” I ask, staring at him.

“I’m not a wuss, but if I don’t have to, I'd rather not,” Czar says, pressing his lips.

“Da. At the moment, it’s not necessary, but heed my words. You will marry if the need arises, and that goes for you too, Anatoly,” I grunt, glaring at them.

“Da, I got it,” Anatoly says, nodding.

“Brat, I’m here for you, and I will marry for the Bratva,” Czar says, smiling.

“You’re such a suka!”

“Brat, her cell texts show that she’s meeting Mia today at a coffee shop,” Anatoly says, looking at me, smiling.

“Great, send me the address and call Conti to set up the appointment.”

“Da, on it,” Anatoly says, nodding.

Thank fuck that Anatoly can hack into everything without any whiplash.

My cell beeps with the address of the Café.

“Brat, let’s go. I want to get there first to see her walk into the coffee shop.”

“Are you sure that you want to do this? It’s not necessary since we have the fuckers in our hands. We’re more powerful,” Czar says, following me.

“Da, I’m sure and stop trying to change my mind,” I hiss, looking at him.

An hour later, I’m standing further down the street, watching for Valentina. Fuck, my heart is beating fast with the anticipation of seeing her.

It doesn’t take long to see the black Range Rover pull up to the coffee shop. The passenger door opens, and the huge Soldier looks around. The suka doesn’t see me fuck.

What if I wanted to kill her?

The Soldier is not good. I’m going to have a good Soldier take care of her. My heart skips a beat when I see perfectly shaped legs slide out of the door; she holds onto the door and slides out. She’s breathtakingly beautiful. She’s wearing a red dress that clings over every curve, and I love it. Valentina is a gorgeous woman. Valentina nods at the Soldier and says something, which I bet is thank you.

My fucking cock is hard, and I want to run down the street, walk into the coffee shop, and take her home.

She’s mine.

Valentina walks to the coffee shop and enters. The Soldier gets back into the SUV, and it pulls away to park.

Stupid suka.

I take my time walking down the street, watching her through the window. She sits at a table next to the window, looking out. She’s so graceful; she adjusts her dress and crosses her legs.

That’s another problem, it’s fucking unacceptable. What is Conti doing allowing her to go out with two Soldiers. Anyone can shoot her.

Fucking hell.

My heart pounds in my chest, full of emotions. I’m so fucked. I haven’t even formally met her or talked to her, and I’m already fucking whipped. I’ve never reacted to a woman like this, and I’ve had lots of beautiful women.

The Soldier appears and stands at the door, which he should have done since the moment she walked inside.