Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Something has happened, and I—”
“In two weeks’ time I want to go out to dinner,” I said. “With an old friend.”
“That’s not happening.”
“I will find a way out, Andrei. If I have to kiss you, fine. If you want sex, fine, I’ll do that, but I will be going out with my friend.” My heart is racing. I don’t know why I’m making these demands. I’m in no position to do so.
He gets up off the bed and I stand firm. I’m not afraid of him. I’m not going to back down. His hand goes to my cheek, his thumb grazing the bottom of my chin, and tilting my head back so I had no choice but to look into his eyes.
“You think you can make demands on me?” he asked.
“I’ve been a good wife to you, Andrei. You’ve been a shitty husband to me,” I said. “I’m not asking you for anything other than a day where I can go and meet my friend.”
He stared into my eyes, and I had to wonder what was going on in his mind.
“No,” he said, and without another word, he walked right out of the room.
I would find a way to see Nathan.
****
Andrei
The news of Ivan’s death startled me.
The man who was the head of the Volkov Bratva was a pain in the ass, but he was worth fighting for. He was worth being loyal to, and to hear he was dead angered me.
There was a pain inside my chest, and it didn’t ease, not for a long time. All that kept me going were Ivan’s words to me. He told me something was going to happen, and he needed me to keep fighting.
The news of his death had spread like wildfire, and it shouldn’t have, however, it brought repercussions. When Ivan originally took over from the Bratva, he forged deals, pushed other players out. My city was once owned by part of the Italian mafia, but he’d pushed them back until they had a small state to call their own, as well as Evil Savages MC. For the longest time, I’d been dealing with them, and now I had news of them entering one of my nightclubs and burning it to the ground.
That was where I stood right now, on the outskirts of one of my best nightclubs. The firefighters had been too late to the blaze, and I knew it was because of the Evil Savages Prez, Demon.
“Sir?” Leo asked.
I had already handled the police. They had wanted a report of my whereabouts. The fire marshal had also given him an assessment. To rebuild was going to cost me a small fortune.
“Round up the men,” I said. “We’re going hunting.”
This was an outright attack. I also had my men piling up, and it was time I ended this.
Ivan Volkov might be dead, but my city wasn’t going to burn without a fucking fight. I turn away from the smoking embers, pulling out my cell phone to see Ive Yahontov calling me.
“What?” I asked, not in the mood to make small talk.
“The Cartel have taken the product,” Ive said.
I cursed.
Ive’s territory held a port that was once known for smuggling drugs and women into the country. With Ivan’s death, the Cartel were now attempting to take their turf back.
“This is a war. You have no choice but to play fire with fire. Destroy them. Do not take any prisoners. They think the Volkov Bratva has fallen, you make them aware that it will never fall.” I hang up my cell phone.
So far, the only one who had been able to keep order within his state was Oleg, which I didn’t like. It meant something wasn’t quite right. He’d also handled the news of Ivan’s death, easily. I would have to talk to Slavik and arrange a visit to Oleg’s territory.
My cell phone rang and I saw it was from an unknown number. It wasn’t unusual for me to get calls from people I didn’t know. I hovered over the red symbol to end the noise. Instead, I pressed the button to accept.
“Hello, Belov.”
I wasn’t a fool. It was the MC Prez, Demon.
“Do you like your present?”
I don’t respond, keeping my thoughts and opinions to myself. He’s known for wanting to rile people up. He wants me angry so I’ll do something stupid and attack him without thought. He doesn’t have the first clue who he’s dealing with.
Laughter rang down the line. “This is only the beginning, Belov. I’m going to burn your city down to a fucking crisp and bask in the bloodshed.”
His threats bored me.
I hung up my cell phone and walked toward my car. Leo was already waiting for me. As I climbed in, I told him to head to my penthouse. I’d not taken Adelaide out since that day. I’d also not left unless it was to attend to important business like today.