Page 21 of Crown of Hate

His laughter echoes through the phone. A long, wicked cackle that makes my nostrils flare. “Do what you want with the girl, Mikhail. You’re foolish to think I’ll join you just to save her. She means nothing to me.”

I shrug, even though he can’t see it. “Maybe not. But I wonder how Boris will react when he uncovers your dirty little secret. He doesn’t know, does he? Do the other men know you’re nothing but a filthy little traitor?”

“Watch what you say, boy,” he warns with a growl. The threat in his voice would make lesser men tremble. But not me.

“You have the next two weeks to decide.” I hang up before he can say anything else.

When my gaze floats to Semyon, he’s watching me, surprise etched on his face like it’s been carved there. “That was a little more intense than I expected,” he says.

“Not intense enough.” Winning Akim over won’t be easy, but the thought of him lying lifeless at my feet makes the struggle worth it.

“What now, boss?”

I think for a moment. “We wait for him to make his move.”

Semyon’s eyes narrow. “He’ll try to take you out before then.”

“He already has. There’s a million-dollar bounty on my head.” I almost laugh at the absurdity of it. As if money could buy my death. “Unfortunately for Akim, I’m not an easy man to kill.”

“How do you know this?”

“I have my sources, but I can’t reveal them.” Despite what everyone believes, I still have a few loyal men in the Russian Bratva. Men who remember who I was, who I am. I don’t trust anyone enough to reveal their identities, not even Alexei.

Trust is a luxury a man like me can’t afford. It’s a weakness, a chink in the armor that enemies are all too eager to exploit.

“Be careful, no man is unkillable,” Semyon warns, his face filled with concern. Then, realization dawns on him. “That girl, what made you think Akim will try to save her?”

My lips quirk. “Because she’s his greatest secret.”

Semyon’s face scrunches up. He’s clearly confused. “Does the Bratva think she’s dead? Did Akim hide her away after the previous Pakhan died?”

“I’ll tell you when it’s time,” I say, placing my hand on his shoulder. “But until then, curb your curiosity, and don’t breathe a word of this to Ilya.”

Semyon used to work for Ilya, but now he’s my man. He knows better than to gossip about my business to my brother-in-law.

He nods.

“Leave, all of you,” I dismiss the rest of the room. Everyone begins to disperse, except Semyon. He still has that curious glint in his eyes.

I know what he’s itching to ask. He wants to know how and why Alya is a secret Akim will fight for.

But he won’t be getting the answer tonight. Not until I’m ready to use it as my weapon.

7

ALYA

Mama always raved about the magic of wedding nights. But her stories left out one crucial detail—the nerve-wracking uncertainty of what comes after the “I do’s.” As I step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around myself, my mind races with questions.

What will Mikhail expect?

He doesn’t know I’m a virgin, and this isn’t exactly a fairytale romance—it’s a forced marriage, for heaven’s sake!

Yet my traitorous mind keeps rewinding to that post-vow kiss. The way his arms snaked around me; the way he grunted as his tongue plundered my mouth… It was electric, passionate, far beyond anything I’d imagined a kiss could be.

Ugh.

I can’t deny Mikhail’s skill, even if I hate him. Closing my eyes, I ghost my fingertips over my lips, chasing the phantom sensation left by his taste. It’s an addictive feeling…

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