Page 23 of Claimed By Desire

Lev’s grinning like a maniac. Where his father is normally stoic bordering on grumpy, Lev can’t hide his joy. He’s usually bubbling over with it.

“When Stepan died, he left a very big hole in our family,” Oleg says, bowing his head grimly.

Lev’s smile faltering. “God rest his soul,” he mutters.

“My younger son here has been moved into Stepan’s former position as my heir,” Oleg continues. “But that means I need to find someone to move into Lev’s role.”

My guts clench. My heart rate doubles. Sweat breaks out on the palms of my hands.

Lev’s grin returns twice as big.

“Congratulations, brother,” he says.

Oleg nods once. “Yes, I’d say congratulations are in order. From here on out, Alexander Sorokin, you will be my top brigadier, and you will be entrusted with more responsibilities and duties within our organization. Of all my men, you are the most trustworthy, competent, and reliable, and I know I’m making the correct choice.”

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. I stare between these two men, a father figure and a friend I think of as a brother, and I can’t find the words.

This means everything to me.

I’ve worked twice as hard as anyone else in this Bratva. I’ve sacrificed, killed myself, broken bones and bled for these people. My entire life and my soul is wrapped up in the family, and I would gladly die if Oleg commanded me to.

And now, to be given this gift, this promotion up the ranks, it’s overwhelming.

It’s everything I’ve always wanted.

“Thank you,” I finally manage to say.

Lev laughs loudly and pours three drinks. Oleg sits back, looking smug and satisfied with himself. I accept my glass of whisky and hold it up as Oleg gives a toast to our family, to my promotion, to thepakhan, and to the Bratva.

We drink and I wait for the joy I know should be coming.

I’m finally being recognized. This should be the pinnacle of my life works, all my achievements wrapped up in one tight moment.

Instead, I keep hearing Nat’s music in my head, and I can’t seem to feel anything at all.

Chapter 9

Natalya

Despite not really wanting to see my old crew anymore, I figured going wedding dress shopping alone would be way too depressing.

Turns out, I was wrong.

Going with a group of girls I’m not close with anymore isinfinitelyworse.

I shove myself into another dress that doesn’t really fit right in the changing room of a boutique wedding shop while cloying music plays in the main sitting room. I hear Irina laugh loudly, which is a surprise since she’s barely looked up from her phone this whole time. Maria’s out there too, along with Adriano’s sister Bianca, who actually isn’t all that bad.

But seeing Maria and Irina again was excruciating, mostly because they acted like no time has passed and nothing had happened. They squealed over my engagement ring, peppered me with questions about my fiancé (none of which I could answer for obvious reasons), and chattered on about their lives as if I hadn’t been gone for a whole year.

At least they’re catching me up on Bratva gossip, which is considerable, and mostly about Valentino and his new wife.

I step out from the dressing room, tugging at a strap and trying to get the bust to sit right. I feel like a mannequin in a big box store: dirty, tired, and way too used up, and for a few awkward seconds I stand on the little stage while Irina and Maria drink champagne and show each other TikToks on their phones.

At least Bianca’s paying attention. She’s around our age with sleek dark hair, round cheeks, and a bright smile. I knew I’d like her the second she took my arm, dragged me in this place, and promised it would bemostlypainless.

She was wrong, but at least she tried.

“You look amazing,” she says and swats a hand at Irina to get her attention.

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