Page 10 of Bred To Be Owned

He took the seat on the other side, crossing one leg over the other. Staring at me, he waited to see if I would fill the uncomfortable silence with chatter, but he should have known better. I’d never broken before, and I wasn’t about to start now. This was going to be a game of chess.

“I’m not sure I fully understand exactly what happened, or why you’re so determined to see this through.” He watched me, stroking the stubble on his jaw.

I still said nothing. He hadn’t asked me a direct question, and I wouldn’t fuel the fire by filling the silence with unnecessary words.He already knew about me, but I didn’t want any information that could incriminate Toula to be revealed. She wasn’t innocent, but I’d seen enough darkness to know I couldn’t let it consume her.

“As long as it’s Greek money on the line, and not ours, I’m not sure I care.” Pahkan steepled his fingers, his gaze never wavering. His eyes were sharp, like he was dissecting me. I didn’t move, preferring not to give him anything to extort.

“Ivan told me exactly how he finally got rid of the Greek guard who never pays on time, but I paid a visit to your madame. She informs me that the same guard is now your guest. It’s out of character for you because you never can stand Ivan’s seconds. In fact, you sent Rizzo to him, knowing it’s going to end badly. Cold and calculated is more your style. It’s why you’re not saying anything.”

He was right, but eventually, I would have to give him something, or he would have me killed for insubordination.

“You know, the Bratva put little stock in families, having them and building them. However, arranged marriages still happen with approval to better the cause. What am I missing?” He smirked, knowing he’d asked me a direct question that I couldn’t shrink from. Pahkan wasn’t a weak man either, and he’d easily read between the lines to the core if I gave him enough to hang me with.

“I saw an opportunity and took it, but I’ll have to play the long game before it pays off.” I paused, formulating my words before I continued. “The bride was a weak woman. She might have survived if the Old Man had followed through, but not Junior. She’d have been dead or wishing she was in a week. First daughters pay the most, so I saw my opportunity to use her to line our pockets.”

He didn’t believe me. “You’ll wait the one-year mourning period, but there’s no guarantee the don is going to accept an offer.”

“Yes, I’ll have to wait, but in that year, I can reinforce our enterprises so that when I approach him, he’ll have no choice but to say yes. I have a source at the city commissioner’s office. They bought the land a few years ago, but they haven’t submitted the plans yet for the new casino. There’s plenty of time to add several restaurants to the blueprints.” I didn’t think that would be enough to persuade Pahkan, but it might steer the conversation in a different direction.

“If I were her father, I’d tell you no.” He smirked, shifting back in the chair and running his hand across his bottom lip.

I laughed. “It’s a good thing you’re not. You’d say no on principle, not even bothering to listen.”

He nodded. “Of course, I would. You’re not good enough for my daughter.” Pahkan didn’t have a family. This was all hypothetical. I didn’t hold it against him, but I also wasn’t happy with his assessment. I’d earned my position, dedicating years of loyalty to a cause I wasn’t sure I even believed in anymore. Irini wasn’t an issue. I could easily use her to my advantage, but I didn’t want anyone knowing Toula’s involvement, which was the only reason I had dismissed it.

“You’re not Don Petrakis. You’re smarter than he is.” I appealed to Pahkan’s vanity. “They hold true to the old world. It doesn’t matter that she’s been married before. If she doesn’t give me a child in five years, the don will have to pay retribution. He won’t be thinking about that when he signs her over to me.”

“You’re an honorable man, and I know your mother’s history. There’s no way in hell that’ll happen if her mental state stays the same. If he has to pay retribution, that sum alone will make all of this worth it.”

I watched his eyes as they darted back and forth, processing the outcomes. I didn’t want to ask if he was already counting the money. As my Pahkan, I’d have to give him his cut for his continued approval.

“This is going to be a long game indeed, but if it works, it’ll be very profitable. What happens if he marries Irini off to someone else, and you’ve wasted your time? I can still seek retribution from you,” he said.

He’d seek payment and then murder me as an example to the other bosses. We both knew the consequences if I failed. The conversation died, both of us just watching the other as the rain hit harder against the window.

There was another knock at the door, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

“Come in,” he called over his shoulder. This was my home, my office, yet I didn’t control this situation. I was just another pawn to be used as he saw fit.

The door opened, and Sergei walked in, his suitcase in his hand.

“Hold out your hands.” Pahkan leaned forward in his chair, waiting.

I placed my hands on the desk, letting him examine the Xs that were already there.

“Well, look at that,” Pahkan said, chuckling. “Your ring finger is open, but not for much longer.”

Sergei set his suitcase on the edge of the desk. Opening it, he prepared the tattoo gun with black ink.

I didn’t resist. This was the consequence of my actions, and it wasn’t like this was my first one. Laying my hand flat on the desk, I waited for it to be over. Sergei started with the outline of the X, but as he went to fill it in, Pahkan stopped him.

“Sergei, add a T next to the X.” He looked me directly in the eye. “You need to remember what’s at stake here.”

I hadn’t fooled him. On the outside, I was the epitome of cool, but on the inside, I was a raging inferno. If something went wrong,I wouldn’t just lose my life. My Pahkan would make Toula feel his wrath, and I couldn’t risk putting her in the storm’s eye.

Chapter 6

Ilya, the Russian, Year 4

---