Page 35 of Crown of Hate

I nod, knowing that his words come from a place of genuine concern. “I'll do whatever it takes to protect everything you’ve built. Even if it means putting myself in harm's way.”

His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “Fuck what I’ve built. It’s you I’m worried about. Kira will never forgive me if anything happens to you. She lost you once; she won’t survive losing you again.”

“She won’t lose me. I’m not an easy man to kill.” I take a sip of my drink. The liquid burns down my throat, a welcome distraction from the intensity of Ilya’s gaze.

“So, what happens now?” Ilya asks. “You took her. Akim won’t let it pass. The girl was the former Pakhan’s daughter. She’s valuable to him.”

A devilish smirk plays on my lips. “She’s even more valuable to him now. She’ll be my key to the Russian Bratva.”

He narrows his eyes suspiciously. “What’s brewing in that pretty head of yours.”

Asides from fantasies of pinning Alya to my bed and fucking her, I’m thinking of the hundreds of ways I can use her against Boris and Akim. Should I let them hide the truth or use it against them?

Sure, Alya will get hurt in the process, but that will be just collateral damage. I want to believe that lie so badly, but I know I’d burn the world to ashes if she’s ever hurt because of me or anyone else.

“You’ll find out soon.” I can’t begin to imagine Alya’s reaction when she finds out the entire truth. I’ll have to reveal it to her soon, but only after I’ve used it to my advantage.

Ilya scoffs. “You’re a madman.”

I chuckle. “That’s why we’re friends.”

Silence bubbles between us for a moment.

“What will you do with the girl after all of this is over?” he asks. “Will you keep her or let her go?”

“Haven’t decided yet. She has me wrapped around her pretty finger, and she doesn’t even know it. Letting her go… it’s not on the table.”

He tilts his head. “Fair. I hate to admit this, but she seems the charming type. She’s already won Kira over.”

I smile, picturing Kira and Alya as best friends. After our father died and she believed I was dead, Kira grew up too fast. She dedicated her life to becoming a journalist and didn’t get to live the life she deserved. She doesn’t even have friends.

My chest tightens with the knowledge that it’s all my fault my sister lived that way. If I hadn’t gone to Russia and faked my death, none of that would have happened.

Regardless, I would be more than happy if she and Alya became friends. They match each other’s energy, and they’ll have each other to rely on when they can’t rely on me and Ilya.

“Kira’s a charmer too. I think they’ll get along just fine,” I say simply.

My phone rings, and I pull it from my pocket. Semyon’s number flashes on the screen.

I answer. “What is it?”

“Something’s wrong, chief. Where are you?”

I lock eyes with Ilya, adrenaline already flooding my system. In our world,something’s wrongcan mean a lot of things. Shipments could have gone missing, or an enemy could be making a move.

If it’s the latter, with Kira and Alya here… fuck. I’ll paint this mansion red with the blood of anyone who dares to threaten them.

“My place. In the bar with Ilya. What happened?”

“Stay put. I’m on my way.” Semyon hangs up without answering my question, which makes me even more anxious.

“What’s going on?” Ilya asks, his face mirroring my own worried expression.

I jump to my feet and head for the secret room where I keep weapons stashed. I have many such rooms throughout the mansion for situations like this.

Pressing the top of a bottle that isn’t actually a drink, the door slides open, revealing an arsenal. Larger guns line the wall, while smaller firearms, knives, and daggers are displayed on a glass shelf.

“He didn’t say, but we should get ready for anything.”

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