Page 53 of Ruthless Vows

Yuri speaks up then, blue eyes narrowed in a glare. “I heard you had to threaten the Italians into giving her to you. Who told you to do something so reckless?”

“No one,” I say, grinding my jaw. “I made a deal and I simply collected on it.”

“And your reward was Lucia Maranzano,” Damien muses quietly. He rarely speaks, always a silent brooding shadow with dark hair and dark eyes. “I have to say I’m curious about this woman that made you renege on your lack of desire to get married.”

“You’ll meet her in time, Morozova.”

“Hmm,” is all he says in reply.

“We should have met her today,” Igor snaps, visibly angry. “Don’t think you’re above the rules, Volkov because you most certainly aren’t.”

“Trust me, Pakhan, I know,” I reply. If I was above the rules, I wouldn’t be at this stupid farce of a party. “Also, I believe you have more pressing issues to take care of. Zelensky’s still making rounds around this room like he owns the place.”

Igor’s face drops and his jaw immediately becomes clenched. I watch as his eyes narrow onto the man in question, who is painfully oblivious to what’s coming.

“You’re excused, Volkov,” the Pakhan says, dismissing me.

I walk away, and unfortunately, Damien follows me.

“What is it?” I ask, my patience wearing thinner the longer I stay in this house.

I’d rather be in my own, watching a TV show with Lucia. It’s funny how someone who wasn’t a part of my life two weeks ago has somehow come to dominate it so much.

“You push and prod Igor so much,” Damien starts. “One of these days, he’s going to push back.”

“I’ll be waiting for that day with bated breath.”

“You would, wouldn’t you? Hoping to be the next Pakhan?”

I look around us at the end of that statement, trying to ensure no one heard it. My eyes narrow onto Damien. People have been killed for saying less. It’s treason to even think about it. Igor might be an idiot but conspiring against him is stupid.

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Just an honest question. If the answer is no, then you have nothing to worry about, Volkov.”

“Of course the answer is fucking no. You think I have any interest in a leadership position?” I snap.

If I did, then I would have become the Pakhan ages ago. The only reason Igor is able to maintain his position is because I want him to.

“That’s good, Ivan,” Damien states, his lips curved in a smile. “I’ll see you around. Oh, and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials.”

He walks away, leaving me wondering if Igor’s loyal dog really is as loyal as he pretends to be. I notice Ruslan trying to catch my eye from where he’s standing in the corner, so I gesture for him to walk forward.

“I want you to put a tail on Morozova. I think he’s planning something,” I say before Ruslan can speak.

“Yes, sir, I will. But we have a problem,” he states, brown eyes filled with worry. “I just got a call. Alexei’s at the villa.”

My hands curl into fists. There’s no doubt as to what my brother suddenly wants when he hasn’t bothered to show up there for days. And he intentionally chose a day he was sure I wouldn’t be present.

“Let’s go,” I announce.

We leave the Pakhan’s home immediately, heading straight for the villa. As soon as we arrive, I find Mika passed out in front of the door. My fists clench. The sight I meet as soon as I walk in has my blood fucking boiling.

CHAPTER 17

Lucia

Alexei was never abusive to me when we were dating, but five years can change a person. And as soon as he appears at the villa, scaring the shit out of me with his bloodshot eyes and rage in his expression, I immediately understand why his brother wanted me to stay away from him.

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