Page 100 of Bound to a Monster

“Are you saying your people are a bunch of children?”

He shrugs, trying not to smile. “Something like that.”

The waitress brings wine and takes our order. I like the way Lev effortlessly guides the conversation. His charming mask is back up, but now it doesn’t seem like he’s struggling to maintain it.

If anything, he’s even more magnetic than normal. I keep my hand on his knee, unable to help myself. I’m too used to touching him all the damn time.

When our meal comes, Valentin finally gets down to it. “Things are moving quickly now,” he says, watching Lev from behind his glass of wine. “Whatever you did seems to have worked.”

“There was a problem, and I took care of him.”

“Him?” Valentin’s smile is very knowing. “I noticed there were some organizational changes recently.”

“Olivier had a change of heart.”

“I hear he’s missing.”

“I wouldn’t worry about him turning up.” Lev’s grin is huge, and Valentin laughs.

And now I understand what happened to our old friends.

It should bother me, knowing that Lev killed a guy. Except I didn’t really like Olivier, and I genuinely don’t give a damn.

Which probably makes me sick, but I think it’s more than that.

I understand how the world works. Sometimes, blood and violence are necessary to get things done. The old Carmiewould’ve been squeamish about that, but I’m embracing the warrior-fencer hiding deep in my soul.

“Well done then.” Valentin raises a glass.

But Lev doesn’t return the toast. “You should know something. It was Oleg from the start. He was strong-arming the truckers into giving him better terms and pocketing the difference. I had to take care of some things to clean up his mess, but my father was the problem from the start.”

“I don’t like hearing that. I should have seen it sooner.”

“It’s the truth. My father always did know how to get a cut.”

Valentin’s glass lowers. He doesn’t speak for a moment, and it’s clear he’s not happy with this bit of information. I’d guess he would’ve been better off never knowing, but it’s clear Lev needs him to understand just how disruptive Oleg could be.

“A change of leadership in the Federov family isn’t such a bad thing,” Valentin says finally.

“That’s what I think too.”

There’s an edge to Valentin as his voice lowers. “When we go back to the States, that’s the story we’ll tell. Your father was disloyal from the start, and you came up here to prove it. Once I found out the truth, I forgave you.”

“Is that what you’re doing? Forgiving me?”

“I’m considering it. I liked your father. He might’ve been a snake, but he wasmysnake. He had his uses, and I’m not sure you’re the same as him.”

Lev nods slowly. I watch the two men. It feels like they’re about to start strangling each other.

“You’re right. I’m not like my father. I’m a different man, but I can promise you, I’ll be as loyal and as hard working. I solved one problem already, and I’ll solve more.”

“And you won’t try to fuck me behind my back.”

“I’ll more likely fuck you right to your face.”

Valentin laughs. The tension eases between them. I squeeze Lev’s knee. My heart’s racing in my throat. This is the moment I’ve been dreading, and I’m still not sure where thepakhan’sgoing to land.

If he goes back on his order and lets us rejoin the organization, that might make him look weak. But Lev did him a favor and saved one of his most important projects in years. That deserves a reward.

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