Page 27 of Bratva Knight

“Is that wise? With everything going on with Father and Dominik, we’re stretched pretty thin right now.”

“Grandfather is already sending men to replace the ones we’ve lost, as well as a new round of supplies. As my second, I need you to go and vet these new clients.”

Another round of shock blasted through me. I swear, at that rate, my heart was liable to give out with all of the fucking surprises people kept throwing at me.

Aleksandr blinked. “Don’t tell me you’re surprised? Who else would it be if not you, Nik?”

“I thought maybe Ivan? Or Vladimir?”

He shook his head, mildly amused. “I swear, it baffles me how someone so smart can also be so colossally stupid.”

I narrowed my eyes.

Gripping one side of his desk, he gestured with a flick of his head for me to grab the other as he said, “They’re both capable, sure.” We lifted the desk together and moved it back to where it belonged. “But I trust you more than anyone, and there’s no one else I’d rather have as my second. Once we get Father back, everything will go back to normal. He will return to beingPakhan, I’ll be second again, and you can go back to the comfort of your tech. Until then, I need you on the ground floor, setting up for new clients. You can organise the meets so you can work it around Tatiana’s schedule. That way, you know she’s okay while you’re out handling business.”

I huffed air out through my nose in a snort as I picked up one of the chairs. “I know what you’re doing. You think that sending me to New York under the guise of Bratva business will make me feel better about leaving. It won’t, but I’m going anyway. You’re right. I’ll be completely fucking useless to you while I’m worried about Tatiana’s safety.”

Aleksandr began organising and tidying his desk as I placed the last of his furniture back in place. “There is another option. Tatiana is only getting involved in Cosa Nostra business because Illayana is here. We could just tell Illayana to go back. That way, neither of you have to go.”

I’d already considered that, and it wouldn’t work. Tatiana planned to move to New York anyway. She was already set to leave within the week. EvenifIllayana returned, I feared it was already too late. Tatiana would want to help regardless. She would offer her services even if Illayana was there. She was going to involve herself no matter what, which meant I needed to be there to watch her back.

Thudding footsteps echoed around us. Aleksandr and I looked at the door just as it swung open, Lukyan panting and breathless.

“You…guys,” he huffed out, holding his side like he had a stitch from running so fast. “Come…quick. Illayana…Drea….they’re…” he shook his head, as if he couldn’t find the words. “Just come!”

The warehouse was in an uproar. Imagine yourself in a crowded stadium. Thirty seconds left on the clock. Tie-score. Everybody was screaming, cheering for their side to win.

That’s exactly what Aleksandr, Lukyan and I walked into.

There was a mob of people surrounding the ring in the centre of the warehouse. All the gym equipment was sitting idle, not a single machine in use. Everyone was far too focused on the spectacle taking place; the fight between Illayana and Drea.

Aleksandr and I shared a look with one another, one that said, “This can’t possibly end well,” before we rushed forward. We pushed our way through the throng of people until we got to the front, catching sight of Illayana throwing a brutal right hook that made Drea’s head snap to the side.

The crowd groaned as a collective, the sound echoing all around us. Aleksandr winced at the blood trailing down Drea’s chin from her now-busted lip.

I dug into my pocket and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill, holding it up. “On Illayana.”

Aleksandr glared before matching my money with his own. “Drea,” he grunted.

Of course he’d bet Drea. She was his wife, after all. It was still crazy to even think about. Aleksandr…married. Fucking crazy.

“You’re both wasting your time,” Lukyan said, pointing to them. “Look at those two. There’s no way either of them are tapping out. The only way this fight ends is by KO.”

He was right. With the way Drea and Illayana were laying into each other, it was very clear they both had zero intention of stopping until they were unable to fight any longer. They were both spattered with bruises. Illayana’s eye was swollen shut. Drea was favouring her right leg, trying to keep weight off it, making me think my sister had gotten her into some sort of hold that was now causing her pain. Their knuckles were stained with blood, droplets of it on the floor beneath their feet. It was clear that neither of them were pulling their punches.

Drea threw a punch and Illayana caught it, her fingers wrapping around Drea’s wrist and holding tight.

“Shit,” Aleksandr cursed, face filled with unease.

I could understand why. Between the two of them, Illayana held a slight advantage with her long limbs and longer reach. Drea’s skill was her speed, her ability to dart in and out, delivering quick and decisive blows before her opponent even realised what happened.

Now that Illayana had a hold on her, it meant she couldn’t use her speed.

Illayana struck with a high kick to Drea’s head. She blocked, bringing her free arm up and then charged, knocking Illayana down in a running tackle.

Illayana’s grip loosened, giving Drea the opportunity she needed to yank her arm free and start pummelling into her with alternating punches from each hand.

The crowd roared at the brutality being unleashed. The viciousness.

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