Page 37 of Trapping His Angel
Tiffany, the Pakhan’s wife, was leaning against a far wall, talking to a woman I hadn’t met yet. The other woman was a voluptuous plus sized black woman, who was riddled in silverish scars underneath the light. I held back my gasp, trying to fix my facial features, so she wouldn’t get offended when I approached. Valentina interrupted their intense conversation, calling out to them.
“Tiffany! Sloane! We finally made it.” She bounced over to them.
The puzzle clicked in my mind. Alexie’s wife, Sloane, of course she would be here. Her scars were on full display, and my gaze got caught for a second, before I looked elsewhere.
“Let’s sit, since we are all here,” Tiffany commanded, and led us over to an old stone table in the center of the room.
Their faces were illuminated by the candlelight. Shadows danced along old carvings in the walls. The family’s women were buried here, their names etched in stone. I could feel the walls closing in on me. My air was a bit too tight.
“I’m a good girl. I’m a good girl. I’m a good girl,” I whispered under my breath like a mantra, while the other women told me why we were here.
“Like I was saying, we need a complete new name. One that commands respect, but isn’t associated with the fear,” Tiffany said.
“The men will never agree. You know how Alexie is,” Sloane’s soft voice sounded so sweet.
“Bah, Alexie is a traditional asshole, and you know it. Viktor’s word is law,” Tiffany said, like it was a done deal.
“It’s a stretch for even the Pakhan, you have to agree,” Sloane argued.
“Uh, what are we talking about now?” Valentina interrupted.
I looked around the table at all these women of color. Something big was going on. Something that needed all of us. I could feel change in the air. Something I wasn’t fond of.
“The Academy, of course.”
I stopped my mantra. “That burned down.”
“Yes,” Tiffany said. Her eyes swung to mine. “It’s time to rebuild a new legacy.”
Goosebumps broke out across my skin.Rebuild a new legacy?After everything I’d lived through with the old one. Fuck no. I wanted no part of this.
I started shaking my head no, but Valentina touched my hand, causing me to jump. “Let’s just hear them out.”
“It won’t be the same,” Sloane promised.
“This time we will make sure of it,” Tiffany concurred.
“What’s the name going to be?” I didn’t want to think of the outcome right now.
“Well, that’s what we were debating,” Sloane said sheepishly.
“It’s hard to come up with one, when it needs to be strong, and have something with meaning.”
“What about-” I stumbled, trying to find my voice again. “What about Zarya Academy? Zarya means dawn or new beginning in Russian, I think.”
The room grew silent as they each thought it over.
“Yes, that will do. Something that will command respect,” Tiffany muttered, taking notes down on her phone.
“And Viktor will approve it, because it gives a nod to the strong lineage of the Bratva,” Sloane said excitedly.
“Oh, that’s a wonderful phrase. Let me write that down,” Tiffany muttered.
“What’s this school going to be about, and why did we have to meet here?” Valentina asked the same questions I was thinking.
There was a pause as the two shared a knowing look.
“If we’re doing this,” said Tiffany, her voice low but steady, “we have to make it clear: we’re not just training wives anymore. We’re creating queens, women who know the art of seduction and submission, but who can wield it to their own advantage. We’ll teach them elegance and strength, but also cunning. Survival and power.”