Page 13 of The Bratva Queens' Kings

My smirk fades, replaced by a thoughtful frown. "Point taken. But desperation can make people sloppy. And sloppiness in our world gets you caught... or worse."

Roman nods, his gaze scanning the room, always on alert. "True. But it also makes them unpredictable. And unpredictability is a variable we can't afford to ignore."

I consider his words, the truth in them ringing louder than the bass from the speakers. "So, what's your advice, then? Keep my friends close and my enemies closer?"

"Something like that," he agrees, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. "Just remember, Lana, in this game, everyone's playing for keeps. And not everyone plays fair."

"Thanks for the pep talk, Coach," I say, injecting a dose of sarcasm into my voice to lighten the mood. "I'll be sure to keep my guard up. Especially around the ladies."

Roman's smile is quick, a fleeting glimpse of the camaraderie that underpins our relationship. "Just doing my job. And hey, if you ever need a bodyguard, you know where to find me."

I laugh, the sound mingling with the cacophony around us. "I think I've got the bodyguard situation covered. But I'll keep you in mind for... other positions."

The flirtatious undertone of my reply doesn't go unnoticed, a brief spark of something more flashing in Roman's eyes before he masks it with another smile.

"Anytime, Lana. Anytime."

I flash a smile before asking, "What did you… and Perez talk about?"

Roman's eyes follow my gaze back to Perez, who's still wearing that smug look, probably courtesy of whatever Bella whispered in his ear. "Oh, you know, the usual posturing. He's trying to expand his territory again. Thinks he's got an edge now."

I snort, unable to help the sarcastic twist to my voice. "An edge? What did he do, find a new rat hole to conduct his business in?"

"Something like that," Roman replies, his lips twitching in amusement. " But, you know, it's Perez. His 'new connections' probably come with more baggage than his wife at a holiday sale."

I can't help but let out a genuine laugh at that image. "His wife, huh? Last I heard, she was about two steps away from throwing his clothes out the window. Has he managed to sweet-talk his way out of that one yet?"

"Wouldn't put it past him. The man's a snake, but he knows how to slither his way into — and out of — tight spots," Roman quips, "But between you and me, I think his home life's a bit of a mess. Might explain why he's pushing so hard for expansion. Trying to compensate."

"Compensate, huh? Well, we all know what that usually means," I muse, the edges of my mouth curling up in amusement. "Guess we'll have to make sure his... expansion plans don't get too out of hand."

Roman nods, his gaze sharpening. "Exactly. We can't let him think he's got any sort of advantage. Might be time to remind Perez just who he's dealing with."

I take a moment to glance over at Perez again, who seems blissfully unaware of our scrutiny. "Oh, he'll remember soon enough. Especially if he keeps trying to play in our sandbox. Maybe it's time we showed him that not all sandcastles are meant to stand."

"Couldn't agree more."

As Roman and I blend back into the fabric of the party, our conversation veils a deeper strategy, a silent agreement that Perez's ambitions will need to be curtailed, one way or another. In this world, power is a delicate balance, and we've danced on this tightrope long enough to know how to keep our footing.

But as the night wears on, the undercurrents of rivalry and ambition swirling around us, I can't shake the feeling that we're on the cusp of something big. Perez, with his swagger and his scheming, might just be the spark that lights the fuse.

And when it blows, I'll make sure we're the ones left standing.

Chapter 8

Roman

The house feels like a pressure cooker, tension thick enough to slice through. Lana's pacing, something I haven't seen her do in ages. She's nervous, more so than I've seen in a long time. It's not just the absence of a cigarette between her fingers or the lack of a drink in her hand, though that's weird enough. Lana, who swore she'd quit smoking the day she died, suddenly turning a new leaf without so much as a by-your-leave. It's unsettling, watching her unravel without her usual vices to lean on.

"You have to look into Bella, I'm telling you! I need to know all about her."

Her voice, usually so controlled, so commanding, breaks across the room like a whip. She's slamming her hand down on the table, papers fluttering in the aftermath of her outburst.

Grigori's giving her that steady look of his, the one that says he's taking it all in, preparing to do just that. He's out of the loop on this one, hasn't seen Lana this wound up in a long while, and neither have I.

I'm leaning against the wall, arms folded, watching the scene unfold. Lana's got this energy about her now, like a live wire. It's not just Bella getting under her skin; it's something deeper. The party might have been a facade of normalcy, but underneath, the currents were shifting. Lana, caught in the tide, is struggling to keep her head above water.

Once the heavy air of the meeting dissipates with Luca and Grigori's departure, I find myself dragging my feet. The door closes with a soft click behind them, sealing us in the quiet aftermath. Julia's long since retired, leaving just Lana and me in the room.

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