Page 79 of The Bratva King's Claimed Bride

“Perhaps you are not equipped to handle this job anymore,” Karl says.

“Excuse me?” I growl, glaring at him with bleary eyes. I’m sure they’re bloodshot, and I clenched my fist. “Do you think we’re incapable of doing our job?”

Karl seems to reconsider his position for a moment but then forges ahead. “Well, if you were capable, why would my ships be targeted? Perhaps it is better to deal with the Milovs, who are more established.”

I stand up quickly, pushing my chair right back. “You think the Milovs give one fuck about your business. We’ve spent months securing your lines it’s probably the Milov’s who have been pimping us out.”

Karl stands up as well, not one to be deterred. “Our business relies on those supply lines.”

Before I can say anything else, Yvonne stands up and puts a hand on Karl’s arm. “Forgive my brother; he isn’t feeling well today. Bad business is bad for his digestive system and temper.” She smiles warmly. “I assure you this is just a minor setback, and we will ensure the supply runs are clean and back in order before next week when the next shipment arrives.”

I watch Karl carefully, but he finally relaxes his shoulders. “See that you do, or this will be the last time we’re doing business with you.”

He leads his three stooges out, and I turn on Roger, one of my business managers. “What happened?” I roar. “Why are the supply lines being targeted? I thought you bribed the right officials. That’s what you said, Roger. You swore up and down you bribed the right officials to fudge the paperwork and get the containers through.”

Roger looks like he’s ready to soil his pants.

Yvonne looks at him, then at the rest of the fearful employees sitting around the table. “Fix this,” she says. “Or the next meeting we’ll have is about all of you and your precarious positions in this family business. Now get out.”

They all leave, and I sit back down. “I didn’t say they could be dismissed.”

“You’re in no shape to deal with anything right now,” Yvonne says.

I stand up again and walk out, going straight to my office. I look around for a bottle of whiskey. “Yvonne,” I call.

“I already removed all the bottles of whiskey. You’re hungover every day, and it’s bad for business, Igor. Everyone is starting to notice you’re losing control.”

I sit at my desk and glare at her. “You are not the head of this family.”

“You’re not acting like the head of this family should,” she bites back.

I stare at her for a moment, angry as hell, before my shoulders droop. “I know.”

Yvonne comes and leans against my desk beside me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “It’ll be okay. Time heals all wounds.”

“Not this one,” I murmur. “You might be right about me needing to pull myself together, but time won’t heal this wound. She was special.”

Yvonne strokes her fingers through my hair, and I can sense she wants to say something, but she holds back.

“Where’s Matvey?” I ask at long last. “He was supposed to be in that meeting. I didn’t see him.”

“He’s probably around,” Yvonne says, but she looks away when I look at her.

“What do you mean he’s probably around? You know where everyone is at all times. It’s your specialty.”

She swallows and shakes her head. “Not all the time.”

“Yvonne.” I stand up, towering over her. “What has Matvey done now?”

Yvonne looks up at me and breathes deeply before she says, “He was tired of you being grumpy with everyone.”

I clench my fists. “What did he do? What is he doing? Why are you stalling me?”

Yvonne puts her hand on my arm. “He just wanted to make things right.”

“What does that mean?” I ask her.

“I think he’s going to try to talk to Arina,” Yvonne finally admits.

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