Page 105 of The Pakhan

“Yeah, I did.”

“I tell you what. I could go for that hot Sofiya. Yum-my.”

I almost had my hand wrapped around his throat until I realized he was taunting me on purpose. “Men have died for less.”

“Yeah, I know that. I’m teasing. So what do you want to do?”

Being uncertain was difficult and rare. I was the fucking Pakhan of an empire, for God’s sake, considered one of the most powerful men in the city, yet I’d been all but frozen, apprehensive of doing anything outside of normal business operations.

As the girls jumped into the pool, I chuckled under my breath. What could I do at this point but wait? Have patience like everyone wanted me to do. “I’m going swimming.”

“What?” Nikolay asked in disbelief.

“Yep. When all else fails, you need to enjoy the life you’ve been given, right?”

“If you say so, boss. What do you want me to do in the meantime?”

I turned to face him. “Take the afternoon off.”

As I walked out, I could tell by the incredulous look on his face that I’d shocked the hell out of him. Maybe it was time I did more of that. “Call me if anything comes up. Otherwise, enjoy your afternoon.”

I took the stairs two at a time and headed to my bedroom, more lighthearted than I should be feeling. It took me almost ten minutes to find a bathing suit, which I couldn’t remember the last time I’d worn. Thankfully, it still fit. I’d bulked up even more in the last few years, not just determined to stay fit but because constant physical activity kept my anger levels low.

By the time I returned downstairs, I was whistling. I stopped long enough in the kitchen to grab my sunglasses, grinning as I headed outside.

None of the girls noticed me at first, the music loud and their boisterous laughter creating a noise barrier. I was able to place my shades on one of the tables and head to the deepest end of the pool and to my surprise I still hadn’t been noticed.

They were having fun like they had in college, something I hadn’t been certain I’d ever see again. They were standing in the shallow end of the pool, managing to converse over the loud music while enjoying a cocktail of some kind. My heart was full, more so than one would think. Without giving it a second thought, I dove into the pool.

When I finally surfaced, jumping high out of the water, my body weight created a significant splash. The slight chill covering my body felt damn good.

When I settled down, wiping water from my eyes, I noticed other than the music, there was no additional noise. I finally turned my attention in their direction, grinning from the shock and awe on their faces.

Sofiya reacted first. “Who is this man and what have you done with my father?”

“It’s apparent either he’s been cloned, or an alien landed somewhere close to the house,” Daniella offered.

Only Caroline remained quiet, but she lifted her shades, giving me a spectacularly heated onceover. When she licked her lips on purpose, neither one of the other two noticed but in truth, I doubted it mattered any longer. They’d obviously worked out their differences, which was surprising but refreshing.

If only that could so easily be done in my business.

“I’m right here, better than ever. Now, why don’t one of you make me a drink.”

“What about the business day?” Sofiya eyed me suspiciously.

“I own my own businesses. I think that entitles me to taking an afternoon off. Don’t you?”

“Woot. Woot! Welcome to the real world. Hey, Sofiya darling. Why don’t we make a fresh batch of margaritas and you can help me.” Daniella yanked Sofiya’s arm, refusing to take no for an answer.

I was laughing by the time they tumbled out of the pool, finally able to give my full attention to Caroline. She had a saucy look on her face, sipping her drink through a festive straw and leaning back against the edge of the pool. Where she was standing near the stairs, she used a step to place her leg provocatively, even twisting it back and forth.

She was doing her best not to pay attention to me, but I could tell otherwise.

Dressed in a red bikini, her hourglass figure would make any red-blooded man go nuts. Maybe she’d already had that effect on me.

“Do you honestly think you can avoid me?” I asked her.

“Is that what I’ve been doing?” She yawned, although I knew she was faking it.

---