Page 66 of Crown of Hate

Moments later, the driver brings the car to a halt at the entrance of a massive white monstrosity—a hotel that screams luxury and power. It’s one of the largest and most extravagant spots in Chicago, the kind of place so outrageously expensive that only the elite can afford to book a room.

“Are you ready?” I ask Alya.

She nods and flashes a smile. It’s faint but determined. “I think I am.”

I lean closer and cup her cheeks. “You’re my wife, malyshka. That means you don’t fear or tremble in front of anyone, not even Akim. Hold your head high like the queen you are.”

Her smile widens. “I’ll remember that, Mr. Zirkhov.”

I chuckle. That’s my girl. Any nervousness she might have felt earlier has vanished. She looks fearless now, reminding me of the first time we met and how she didn’t cower before me like most people do. Pride swells in my chest. This woman is my wife.

I inch closer and kiss her forehead. “Let’s go get those bastards, Mrs. Zirkhov.”

She nods, and I slide out of the car. By the time I reach her side, one of my bodyguards is already holding the door open. Ioffer her my arm, and she loops hers through mine as we head inside.

The other guests are exactly what I expected—rich enough to soak in a bathtub filled with money. But all that elegance and sophistication is just a disguise.

Every man in this room is a criminal, from organized crime bosses to corrupt politicians, smugglers, and drug dealers. We all make our money in dirty ways, and our hands are all stained with blood.

I only stand apart from the rest because I’m like a scorned wild animal, here to take back what is mine.

Alya’s grip on my arm tightens. “Do you see the person you’re looking for?”

I scan the room, my eyes quickly finding my target. Arsen Krugovoy. That perverted bastard is hard to miss with his annoying grin and lecherous gaze.

He’s holding a glass of champagne and groping the hand of the woman in front of him. She’s smiling, but the way she shifts away from his touch shows she’s clearly uncomfortable. Typical Arsen—either too dense or too vile to care.

“There he is,” I say, nodding towards Arsen.

Alya glances at me, then follows my gaze to Arsen. “The one in the pink suit?”

“Yes.” The suit is ridiculous. There are two things I can’t stand—men with no moral code and men with awful fashion sense. Arsen ticks both boxes, making him even more infuriating.

“Is that his wife?” she asks, probably noticing the discomfort on the woman’s face.

I scoff. “As if. She’s just another toy for his pleasure.” Arsen and I clashed a lot when I was Pakhan. The asshole is cunning, far from loyal, but he had good business connections. That’s the only reason I kept him alive.

“Are we going to him now?”

I peer down at my wife and trace the length of her neck with my finger.

“I am. You’ll stay right here and wait for me.”

Her brows knit together in a fierce scowl. “That isn’t what we agreed.”

“I agreed to let you come with me, and I’ve kept to that promise. But I’m not letting you get within an inch of that scum. It’ll drag unnecessary attention your way, and that’s the last thing we need.”

“Mikhail—”

“Don’t go anywhere. If something goes wrong, call for me immediately.” I grab two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and hand one to her. “I’ll be right back after I have a word with him.”

I catch Alexei’s eye over Alya’s shoulder and signal him to keep her safe. He nods in response.

Taking a sip of my champagne, I stride towards Arsen, bracing myself for the confrontation to come. Alya’s disappointed glare sears into the back of my head, but I refuse to turn around. I can’t bear the weight of her disappointment right now—I have to stay focused

Arsen’s smile drops to a mere smirk when our eyes lock. He swirls the pale-gold liquid in his glass and takes a drink. His blonde hair is ruffled, his blue eyes have that lazy, arrogant glint, and his suit is smeared with red lipstick stains. The guy looks like a damn animal.

“Look who we have here. If it isn’t the fallen Pakhan himself,” he snarls, sounding like a rabid dog.

---