Page 42 of Claimed By Desire

“Millions. I’m not sure of the exact figure.”

“And how much do you think we can save?”

“A few hundred thousand, if we’re lucky, but probably less.”

He points at me. “And that, right there, is the reason you’re alive. If Marino had done something less expensive and less public, I probably would’ve put a bullet in your head and forced Natalya to marry Adriano over your fucking corpse. Unfortunately, here we are.”

I steady myself and nod once. “I understand,pakhan.”

“Why’d you do it?” He sounds genuinely curious, and I realize he must not know the whole truth yet.

“She’s pregnant.”

His eyebrows raise in surprise. “Her father neglected to mention that.”

“It’s my baby.”

Valentino nods to himself and walks a slow circuit around the room. I stay where I am, watching him. Nearby, just outside, I know there must be half a dozen soldiers studying my every move, waiting for an excuse to put a few bullets in my head.

“People do stupid shit for family,” he says as last and folds his hands behind his back. “I’m not going to say what you did was right or remotely smart, but at least I can understand the impulse.”

“I couldn’t abandon her.”

“I’m not going to bless your marriage. I’m not going to say it’s okay, what you did. As far as Oleg’s concerned, you’re a traitor to the Bratva and should be dealt with accordingly.” He holds up a hand to silence my retort. “However, because your situation isn’t so simple, and because the Italians decided to cross the line, I’m going to give you a chance.”

My mouth closes. A strange hope blossoms in my chest. Today did not go how I had hoped, but here is the single opportunity I need to make everything right.

“I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”

“I’m giving you two jobs. First, patch tings over with Oleg. I don’t give a shit how you pull that off. You two don’t need to be close, but I can’t have my own people killing each other.”

I nod, even though I have no clue how that’ll ever happen. “And the second?”

“Fix things with the Italians. Kill them if you have to. Make peace if that makes sense. I don’t care, so long as it’s handled. I’ll provide you with resources and manpower if needed, and you will make it your life’s work to bring respect back to the Bratva. Because if you fail, I will gladly cut your throat and give someone else the job.”

“I won’t let you down,pakhan.”

“From what I hear, that’s likely true. You had a bright future in my Bratva. Oleg used to say you’re one of the best soldiers he’s ever had the pleasure of raising. Go and prove him right.”

Valentin walks out of the room and leaves me alone in the rubble.

Chapter 16

Natalya

Alex is gone for a couple hours and I’m left alone in his apartment.

I feel like I haven’t actually gotten to look around. Everything’s been so strange and stressful and I’ve been too distracted.

But now that the apartment is quiet and it doesn’t look like my father’s coming back, I give myself a little tour.

It’s almost exactly what I would expect from Alex. Everything is in its exact right place, from this toothbrush and toothpaste in the bathroom to all the pots, pans, and dishes in the kitchen. I noticed there was no clutter on my first visit, but now it’s painfully obvious that he keeps his apartment obsessively pristine.

That fits with my image of him. Alexander the perfect soldier. Judgmental, vicious, aggressive Alexander. He could do no wrong, and now look at him. I wonder how it feels hearing my father and my brother calling him a traitor.

It’s probably like getting stabbed in the chest by his own family.

I try not to feel bad for him, but it’s hard.

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