Page 78 of Crown of Hate

“Trouble follows wherever you go, friend.”

I slouch on the sofa across from Ilya, swirling a glass of tequila. “Not any more than it follows you, friend.”

He heaves a sigh and raises his glass. “Right. Cheers to us then, friends by choice, brothers by mutual enemies.”

“Being married to my sister has made you quite poetic, I see.”

We both bark out laughs and down our drinks in one fiery gulp.

I groan as the alcohol burns its way down my throat, leaving a trail of heat as it simmers in my stomach.

Akim made his first move using Ilya. There’s a war brewing between me and the Bratva in Russia, a war that cannot be avoided if I’m to protect what’s mine and reclaim my place as Pakhan.

I have a few hundred men who’re willing to lay down their lives for me, but it’s not enough. I need more. The more men in my corner, the easier it will be to bring down Boris and Akim.

But right now, the only person I can turn to is Ilya. The irony isn’t lost on me—my brother-in-law, once a friend, then an enemy, now my closest ally.

“Let me get this straight,” he says, setting his glass down with a soft clink. “You’re married to your enemy’s daughter.”

“They share blood, nothing more,” I counter, recalling Alya’s fierce declaration this morning. “She wants him dead.”

“He’s still her father. What if she decides not to follow through with it?” Ilya presses, rubbing his jaw. “Like you said, his blood runs through her veins.”

I shake my head, firm in my belief. Alya won’t back down. The fire in her eyes wasn’t just anger—it was something deeper, a burning need for revenge. She’s determined to protect those she loves. I know my wife’s mind… and her heart.

Sure, she might be soft-hearted, but she was still raised by the almighty Ivan Orlov himself. She has the steel spine of a Bratva queen. “She won’t.”

Ilya’s lips curve into a knowing smile. “You love her, don’t you?”

My heart skips. “That’s not?—.”

He bobs his head. “Didn’t expect that, did you? But the look on your face is priceless. It says it all.”

“I’m not—” My hand clenches around the glass as the words keep dying in my throat. I can’t even deny that I love her. What the fuck. All this time, I thought I just liked her.

At first, I found her daring and beautiful, then addictive and irresistible. But I never realized it was something else I felt… love.

I don’t know when or how it happened, but now I understand why I feel most at peace when I’m around her. Why her safety consumes my thoughts. And why I know I will let the world burn if it means protecting her. Because it’s love. The thought terrifies me as much as it thrills me.

Ilya’s laughter breaks through my epiphany. “I’ll set up a meeting tonight atClub Silo247.I’ll bring Kira. Bring your girl too.”

“Her name is Alya.”

“How do I look?” Alya asks, twirling in front of the full-length mirror in our walk-in closet.

I lean against the doorway, arms crossed, taking my time skimming her from head to toe. Her makeup is dark tonight, giving her an aura of danger that befits a Bratva queen. Her curly locks bounce as she moves, and the black dress she’s wearing… Christ, it makes me want to rip it off her and take her from behind while she watches in the mirror.

Alya has always been a symbol of beauty, but tonight she has this glow, this spark I can’t quite place.Beautifuldoesn’t do her justice. Perfect—that’s the word. Drawn to her like a magnet, I close the distance between us. The scent of jasmine and vanilla wafts through my nostrils, and I’m gone. It’s like every nerve in my body is on fire, every thought wiped clean except for her. Fuck, she smells delicious.

She turns to me, eyes narrowing. “Well? How do I look?” she repeats.

“Jaw-dropping,” I reply. “I could stand here all night just watching you in that sexy dress.”

I curl my arm around her waist, grabbing her ass and squeezing.

She lets out a moan that goes straight to my groin. “You’re naughty.”

“And so fucking horny. Come here.” I lean in and trail hot kisses along her neck. My cock throbs painfully, and my fingers itch to throw her dress up and fuck her.

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