Fuck. He’s an asshole.

His entire demeanor is making me doubt whether he will actually stick to the deal we’ve made.

I feel like I’ve made two steps forward and one step back. Like I’ve almost resolved this.

I don’t want to take any chances.

Pulling out my phone, I dial Marcus.

“Oleg, how did the meeting go?”

“I want a tail on him. He’s come to an agreement with me, but I’ve got a bad feeling about him. There is just something about him that I don’t trust.”

“Alright, you want him followed then. I’ll get one of the more experienced guys to do it. We don’t want to mess up on this one and make matters worse.”

“Yes, good thinking.”

With that out of the way, I push my own chair back and take a deep slow breath. I’ve done what I can for now, but I am not going to assume it’s over.

I’ll keep my eye on it and take it one day at a time.

Raisa will still need to work on making her brothers believe that she wants to be with me—and I still need to figure out which of their enemies it is that is so hell bent on taking them out.

For now, though, I can focus on my plans for tonight.

Trying to decide what Raisa would enjoy most, I call a very popular restaurant in the city. It’s a sought-after venue and one that it is not easy to get a table at but of course, I know the owners, and they are happy to help.

It’s a really over the top place and people there all seem pretty fake to me—but I think Raisa will enjoy dressing up in something pretty and the food is incredible.

Back at home, we still have a few hours before the evening plans.

I find Raisa sitting downstairs in the living room, flicking through some series on the television.

“You can’t find something to watch?” I ask, sitting down on the sofa with her.

“I’m just trying to find something to relax my brain, but these shows are all so boring. I’m not much of a movie watcher, but I thought I’d try. How was the meeting with Rodion?” She tosses the remote onto the sofa next to her, giving up on the shows.

“It went well—I think. We have sort of come to an agreement.”

“Sort of?”

“I think he’s still very nervous about trusting me, and I won’t lie, I’m not fully on board with trusting him either. But I feel like we did make some headway and I hope for improvement in the future.”

“That’s good. It does take Rodion, all my brothers actually, a long time to trust people. We’ve all been through a lot.”

“I wanted to ask, would you like to have a phone call with your siblings this afternoon before we go out?”

Her face lights up. “Really? I’d love to.”

“I had them install a program on your laptop that will allow for a group call. But Raisa, please understand that the calls are being monitored by my security team. I can’t take any chances with negotiations only just opening up now. I really want to find a way for our families to work together and if you—“

“I understand, Oleg,” she interrupts me. “I get why you want to monitor the call.”

I feel bad, blatantly telling her that I can’t fully trust her, but the risk is too great.

“Well, then you can call them whenever you are ready. As for this evening’s fun, be ready at five. There is a dress on your bed.”

“You bought me a dress for tonight?”