Page 141 of Stolen Empire

"We're going to lose money on this," Misha says, still clearly bothered by the financial implications.

"Twenty percent of the eastern territories is more than we should be giving up for a girl who can't prove her paternity."

He rubs the bridge of his nose and scowls.

"Then we'll find other ways to make up the loss."

Rolan's stern tone ends the discussion.

"We honor the pact because that's what maintains our reputation. We protect the girl because that's what the pact requires. Anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me directly."

No one speaks.

Rolan's word is law in the Vetrov organization, and challenging him openly is a good way to end up in the river.

I feel a surge of gratitude toward my brother despite the tension between us.

He's choosing to stand by me even when it costs him, and that kind of loyalty is rare in our world.

The meeting breaks up with assignments being distributed.

Maxim will coordinate the search for the cousin.

Misha will handle the financial restructuring to accommodate the profit sharing.

Rolan will reach out to the other families to announce that we're honoring the Morozov pact, framing it as a show of strength rather than weakness.

I stand to leave, but Rolan catches my arm.

"Walk with me."

We stride out of the command room and into the main hallway of his house.

It's a sprawling estate on the outskirts of Moscow, surrounded by walls and guards and enough security to withstand a small army.

Rolan leads me to his study and closes the door behind us.

"Loving her makes you vulnerable."

He moves to the bar and pours two glasses of vodka, sliding one across the desk to me.

"Vulnerable men make mistakes, and mistakes in our business get people killed."

"I know what I'm doing."

"Do you?"

He takes a drink and studies me over the rim of his glass.

"You can't burn down everything for a woman, Dimitri. If we go to her cousin and he refuses her, we could have a war on our hands. So you have to think long and hard about that. If they don't want her influence they could try to kill her and I won't let you throw your life away on some woman."

The accusation stings because there's truth in it.

I've known Katya for a handful of weeks, and yet I've already risked my life and my position for her.

I've made decisions based on emotion rather than strategy.

I've been acting foolish.