Page 52 of Toxic Salvation (Krayev Bratva #2)

KOVAN

I’m a pakhan . Leader of over two hundred men who’d jump at my command without question.

But none of that means a damn thing to my infant son when he decides to have a blowout all over my chest.

“It’s been three hours since my last text to Osip,” I growl, holding Tali at arm’s length while he kicks his tiny legs and gurgles in delight. “He was supposed to give me hourly updates.”

Vesper takes the baby from my arms, wrinkling her nose. “My love, don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s hard to talk business when you smell like poop.”

I bark out a laugh. “I’ll go wash up.”

“Please do. I enjoy looking at those abs, but the fact that they’re covered in baby shit kinda ruins the fantasy.”

She stands there in a sheer nude slip that shows every curve—the swell of her breasts, her flat stomach that somehow bounced back faster than I thought possible.

If I had three wishes right now, one would be for our doctor to clear Vesper for sex immediately so I could take her against every surface in this house until she screams my name.

Unfortunately, we’ve got another four weeks of this medical celibacy bullshit.

Four weeks of pure torture.

For both of us.

At least everything else has been perfect.

I’ve spent every day with Luka, Tali, and Vesper—learning how to change diapers without getting pissed on, taking long walks with Tali strapped to my chest, watching Luka read stories to his baby brother with more patience than most adults possess.

The downtime has been a luxury I never knew I wanted.

A luxury I can only afford because I’ve trusted Pavel and Osip to handle business while I’m on unofficial paternity leave.

But now, I’m starting to think they’ve taken that trust a little too literally.

The moment I step out of the shower, hair still dripping, Vesper notices my mood shift. “What’s wrong?”

“Radio silence from my lieutenants,” I reply. “That’s what’s wrong.”

“Maybe there’s nothing to report?”

“This is Ihor we’re talking about.” I grab my phone from the nightstand. “The man doesn’t know how to lie low. Yana told him about the baby—I guarantee it. And it wouldn’t take much digging to figure out you’re on maternity leave.”

“You think they’re hiding something from you?”

My phone finally pings with a text from Osip, as if summoned by our conversation.

OSIP: Hey brother, we’re handling things. No concrete intel to share.

I hold up the screen. “See? Same vague bullshit he’s been sending all week. Pavel, too.”

“Maybe there really is nothing happening.”

“Then why haven’t we seen them? When’s the last time either of them came by for dinner? Or just to check on the baby?” I yank a shirt over my head. “Something’s up. And I’m about to find out what.”

Vesper settles into the armchair by the window and lifts her shirt to feed Tali. Watching her nurse our son never gets old.

“I’ll be back tonight,” I tell her, kneeling beside the chair to stroke her arm. “If you need anything?—”

“I know. Call you and you’ll be here in ten minutes.”

“I don’t want to leave you.”

“I know that, too.” She smiles. “Just be careful. And Kovan?”

“Yeah?”

“Whatever you find out, go easy on them. They’re family. They probably think they’re protecting you.”

I kiss the top of her head and head out, already switching into business mode. I don’t text ahead to warn Pavel and Osip I’m coming.

Surprise visits are more effective when people can’t prepare their lies.

I find them running a full security briefing in our main conference room. Three teams packed around the table, hanging on every word.

Pavel spots me first, but Osip is so deep into his presentation he doesn’t notice me slip inside.

“We can’t afford to let this happen again,” Osip says as he gestures to something on the projection screen. “To that end, we want increased security on?—”

He stops mid-sentence when Pavel elbows him hard in the ribs.

“Go on, Osip,” I encourage with heavy sarcasm. “I want to know what can’t happen again. Especially since your texts told me nothing’s been happening at all.”

Osip’s face pales. He opens his mouth, closes it, opens it again.

That’s what I fucking thought.

I turn to the security teams. “Out.”

The men file out immediately, leaving just Pavel, Osip, and me. I walk to the head of the table where they’re standing.

“You’re in my spot.”

They back away like I’ve grown fangs.

“Listen, Kovan?—”

“Let me stop you right there.” I hold up a hand. “Did I or did I not tell you two to inform me the moment there were developments with Ihor?”

Osip’s shoulders slump. “You did.”

“Did I or did I not tell you to let me know before calling any meetings with security teams?”

“You did,” Pavel mutters.

“Then what the fuck is this?”

Osip shoots Pavel a look. “Told you he’d be pissed.”

Pavel scratches his jaw. “Look, I know you’re angry. I know you gave us specific instructions. But you’re also a new father, and we thought you’d want to enjoy this time with your family. Without dealing with Ihor’s bullshit.”

I sit down hard in my chair. “So shit has been happening. I knew Ihor wouldn’t stay quiet.”

“He hasn’t,” Pavel admits. “But it’s been minor stuff. Distractions. We didn’t think it was worth interrupting your time with Vesper and the baby.”

“That wasn’t your call to make.” My hands clench into fists on the table. “I need to know everything. Sit down and tell me exactly what’s been going on. Don’t leave out a single detail.”

Pavel and Osip take their usual seats, looking like kids called to the principal’s office.

“Two car accidents during routine resupply runs,” Osip starts. “One the day Tali was born, another three days later. Ihor’s men caused both, but they ran before we could catch them.”

“Any evidence left behind?”

“Nothing. They just wanted to rattle us. We tracked the license plates to random rental cars from secondhand dealers.”

“There was also a break-in at the warehouse in Ingleside,” Pavel continues. “We caught the guy, but he swallowed a cyanide pill before we could question him. We sent his body back to Ihor as a message.”

I’m getting angrier by the second. “What else?”

They exchange another look—saving the worst for last.

“Ihor’s been visiting the new hospital board members,” Pavel says. “Trying to intimidate them, turn them against us. We’ve got security details on all of them now.”

“And?”

“The cops came sniffing around last week,” Osip says. “Anonymous tip about arms dealing. We think we threw them off, but…”

“But now, we’re on their radar.” I slam my fist on the table. “Goddammit—this is exactly the kind of shit I needed to know about immediately.”

“We handled it,” Pavel insists. “The cops haven’t followed up in five days. All our teams have been briefed. Security’s tight.”

“I should have been the one briefing those teams. I should have been the one calling this meeting.” I stand up and start pacing behind my chair. “You went behind my back.”

“We were trying to protect your time with your family,” Pavel argues. “Tali won’t be a baby for long. We didn’t want you to miss these weeks just because Ihor’s being a pain in the ass.”

“I don’t get time off,” I snap. “I don’t have that luxury. When I’m not paying attention, people die. It’s that simple.”

“We understand,” Osip says quietly.

“Do you? Because this ends now. I need to know about every goddamn thing that happens in this organization. Every threat, every meeting, every sneeze that seems suspicious. Clear?”

“Clear,” they both say.

I head for the door, then pause. “One more thing.”

They both tense, probably expecting punishment. Instead, I think about Vesper’s words. About family and good intentions.

“Thank you,” I say. “For wanting to give me time with my son.”

Pavel smiles. “Anytime, brother.”

“But don’t ever fucking do it again.”

His smile widens. “Noted.”

“Now, get Denis on the phone,” I order. “We’ve got work to do.”