Page 47 of Relentless Sinner
Last year my father was able to join us but it became evident at the last meeting for the year that it would be his final trip. He hasn’t gone anywhere since.
It’s odd knowing that. He’s a man who was used to traveling several times a month, back and forth between Russia and the States.
I took my sweet time getting here. Our first meeting starts in a few hours, so I have some time to kill.
I had breakfast on the way because I didn’t want to eat with the others. With the way things are I can’t guarantee that no one would try to poison me. Better to eliminate every possible threat than leave myself open to attack.
I park my Bugatti on the drive next to Eric’s Porsche and make my way into the house.
I hear voices from the sitting room so I head in there. I don’t particularly want to socialize with anyone but these little things are part of the job I’m about to acquire.
The Pakhan must always set aside his differences with his subordinates. Refusing to do so would only encourage contention in the ranks.
The four of them—Levka, Yuri, Magnus, and Damian—are having a hearty conversation which dies down the moment I approach the door.
Levka and Yuri are standing by the pool table and my uncles are on the sofa by the sliding doors smoking Cuban cigars.
“Nephew, you’ve arrived.” Magnus tries for a smile but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Hello, uncle.” I dip my head then look at Damian. “Damian.”
“Pakhan.” Damian says the word with an edge I don’t like. He also shouldn’t be calling me that when my father remains the Bratva’s current leader. It’s like a mockery.
“We had a bet going, cousin,” Levka states, drawing my attention to him and Yuri, who gives me a menacing smirk. His smile has always reminded me of the clown’s from the movieIt.
“What kind of bet?” I ask.
“We thought you might cancel the trip to spend time with your bride-to-be,” Levka replies.
Motherfuckers.All of them. And I hate that they were nearly right.
Here’s where I have to pretend my ass off, because I never told them that Gabriella had been kidnapped and they’re not supposed to know that I know it was one of them who set it up.
The beast in me wants to eliminate the problem by killing all of them.
“You should have known I’d never cancel such an important meeting,” I state.
They glance at each other then back at me.
“Heard she was pretty. Prettier than anyone who’s come along in a while.” Levka grins, leaning against the pool table. “Are the rumors true?”
“She is beautiful.”
“Then I guess you’re a lucky man,” Yuri chimes in. “When do we get to see her? Surely, you’d want to show off such a beauty.”
“You’ll meet her at our engagement party like everyone else.” I don’t try to mask the annoyance in my voice. I don’t want to talk about Gabriella with them.
“Testy, testy. Though I think if I had a beautiful bride I’d be protective of her, too. I guess you’re not going to share her then. Or let us break her in for you.”
I lurch toward him so fast I barely register that I’ve moved. Usually when they throw their comments my way I let them slide because I know my strength exceeds theirs. It would also be worse for me if I retaliated. Today is different.
“Say that again.” I get up in Levka’s face. “You want me to share my girl?”
“Jesus. What the fuck? I was joking.”
He wasn’t. He and Damian share women all the time. They learned that from their fathers. “Don’t joke with me. Ever. Not about her.”
He squares off with me, lifting his chin so it’s higher than mine. We’re the same height but I have more muscle. I’d wipe the floor with him if we were to ever fight but he’s acting like hecould take me because everyone fills his head with shit, making him think he’s a god.