Page 46 of Zafira

A knock on the door interrupted their banter.

“Ah, the troops have arrived,” Vanya said as Andrei, Vadim, Sabira, Arian, and Izolda piled into the room.

“Now that you’re getting married, we felt it’s appropriate to make sure nothing is going to get in the way of your happiness,” Arian began tentatively.

“I’m a sixty-four-year-old woman, Arian. I don’t need my children to give me marital advice,” Zafira said with a laugh.

“This isn’t about that, but we do have to ask. Does Bogdan know about you being the Shadow Don and the one who is running the Novaya Volna Group?”

“Yes, Arian, he knows.”

“And he’s happy for you to continue?” The frown on Vadim’s face showed his disbelief. Zafira didn’t blame him. Ever since Bogdan’s return from the U.S., a new man had emerged. Assertive, confident, and much more powerful than she had ever imagined he could be.

“Bogdan is going to be my partner in the Novaya Volna Group. We’ve already discussed it. I am not prepared to give up my seat as the Shadow Don... not yet. I may never be. It’s time the conservative chauvinism of male Bratva leaders comes to an end.”

“I’m afraid you might be overreaching, Mother,” Arian said with a serious expression. “You might have groups supporting your vision for a modernized future, but a woman being in charge of all? It’s not going to happen, and if that’s the only reason you offered a partnership to Bogdan, I’m afraid you don’t know him as well as we do. The new man is driven, he’s powerful, and he’s not going to be your henchman or your muscle in your vision.”

“Destul, Arian! Enough. This is my wedding day. I refuse to allow you to blacken it with predictions of doom.”

“It’s more than a prediction, Mother. It’s a reality. We might support you to a point, but even Vadim, Andrei, and I, in our authority as Bratva leaders, will not bow down to the rule of a woman... even you, our mother.”

Zafira felt like she had just been punched in the gut with a ten-pound hammer. She had mostly depended on the support of her own children and their respective Bratva groups. If Vadim was against her rule, so would Sabira, as the leader of the Koval Bratva, be as well. To realize they all sided with the age-old Bratva traditions against her, almost broke her confidence.

Almost... but she was far from ready to give over.

“We shall see. Now, enough of this. Come... it’s time to walk your old mother down the aisle. Nothing is going to spoil the wonder and happiness of my wedding day.”

Sunrise, the following morning, Bogdan’s private wing at the Rusu Castle...

“So, are you going to remain a Guzun?” Bogdan kept his tone even, but the way Zafira studied him for long moments warned him he hadn’t been successful in hiding his desire to call her all his... and that included her carrying his name. To be reminded for the rest of his life that he had lost her for so long to Viktor Guzun didn’t sit well with him. It was time to move on. Leave all the hurt, dissolution, and regrets in the past.

Zafira leaned over to kiss him tenderly. “We started a new life together with this marriage, my love. I believe for us to fully embrace the future and all the happiness it offers; it has to be as a united front. A Rusu unit, so no, like it or not, I’m not going to be a Guzun. From now on, I am Zafira Rusu.”

“That just escalated my happiness tenfold, dragostea mea.”

“Ah, you’re lagging behind, Iubirea mea. I’ve been the happiest woman since you returned to Moldova.” She hugged him close. “Don’t ever do that again, Bogdan. Never leave me for so long. I won’t survive the longing, especially now that our love has woven that invisible golden thread through our hearts.”

“I’m not going anywhere, miere. You’re stuck with me now... forever and a day.”

“Good, hold that thought. I need to pee.”

Bogdan watched her swaying hips as she walked gloriously naked to the en suite bathroom. With a smile, he relaxed against the pillows. Finally, everything had fallen into place. He had the woman he loved by his side. All the hates and regrets are something of the past. A smile rendered victory to his expression as he opened the secret drawer in his bedside table.

“Someone is calling, miere,” he called out as Zafira’s cell phone began buzzing.

“I hope it’s not Vanya going into early labor from all the dancing and excitement yesterday,” she said as she rushed into the room while wrapping a towel around her. A quick glance at the small screen confirmed it wasn’t. She offered an apologetic smile at Bogdan. “Sorry, Iubirea mea, I have to take this call.”

“Remind whoever it is you’re on your honeymoon and that the sun is barely up,” he called after her as she rushed out of the room.

Slipping the cell phone from under the cover of the duvet, he lifted his hand to his ear. “I didn’t expect to hear from you this soon.” Zafira’s voice filled his mind. He smiled grimly.

“I believe congratulations are in order, Ms. Guzun, or is it Mrs. Rusu?” His voice was drastically changed by the electronic device attached to the satellite phone.

“It’s Rusu, as I’m sure you’re aware. Why are you phoning me this early and on the morning after my wedding?” Zafira sounded annoyed but kept her tone respectful.

Bogdan smiled. He had learned deceit from the best. For years, he had watched from the depth of despair and hatred. Now, he had the money, the power, and the following to become what Viktor Guzun, his father, and grandfather had dreamed of becoming. The all-mighty Shadow Don.

“Remind me, Mrs. Rusu, who is really in charge here? You... or me?”

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