Page 17 of Stolen By The Bratva King

She’s not used to my kind of slavish devotion, but I couldn’t row back if I wanted to.

She will be mine, legitimately and permanently, and I can get around to winning her heart after I have her in my clutches.

Emery rolls to face the window, breathing heavily. She has no idea I was here savoring every single gasp she made.

I have no choice but to ignore the mess I’ve made, straighten up, and out of her room without making a sound.

I work my way backward, belly on the ground until I’m back in the lounge. All I hear is the steady rhythm of her breath as she drifts into sleep.

Quiet as a shadow, I slip my shoes on and step out into the corridor, locking her door behind me.

Outside, the van and its dead occupants are gone. My crew works fast—they’re professionals, every last one of them, and that’s how I need it. The street looks as it did before, silent and untouched.

I sit in my car for a few minutes and let the cool air settle the fever still thrumming through my veins. When I feel like I’ve composed myself, I call Viktor.

“What?” he says through a yawn. “You’re such an asshole, Leon. I don’t want to hear from anyone at this hour, even my mother.”

“Funny,” I reply. “She callsmelate at night regularly, asking me to come round and break her off.”

“Funny. Whaddayawant?”

“Did you find a way to get to Alec Bright?”

“Sure did. Most of the capital has been sunk into three investments—two casinos and one real estate buy-in. I assume money is no object?”

“Of course it isn’t.”

He chuckles. “Just as well. I called a few people and moved some cash around, with the result that Bright is about to experience an extraordinary run of bad luck.” He pauses for effect. “You wanna hear the best part?”

“Go on.”

“Dante’s name is on everything. So that idiot will lose every dime, with no way to unfuck the situation.”

I can practically see Dante scrambling, losing control, and finally being knocked off his pedestal.

All I have to do is approach Alec and offer to solve all his problems, and in return, I will demand only one thing.

It’ll cost me millions, but I’ll have my prize, all legal and above board. And I’ll see Dante Firenze humiliated, which will be a lot of fun.

“Good work,tovarishch,” I say. “We have a lot to do tomorrow. I’ll need you to set up a surveillance detail in the morning.”

“Got it,” Viktor replies, “but you’re going soft in the head, buddy. Emery Bright would be better off a thousand miles away from the likes of us, and you know it.”

I pause, his words striking a nerve, but I push it aside. “Yeah, but it’s about time I took a wife, and I’m sick of those bratva princesses and their airhead ways. I rarely abuse my power, but I feel like flexing for once, and that Firenze prick doesn’t deserve a woman like her.”

“Okay, you’re the boss. See you tomorrow.”

Finally, I head home, Emery’s sweet little gasps still ringing in my ears.

Tonight was only the beginning.

13

The next morning…

Emery

Iwake up to daylight, which is enough to freak me out. I’m generally at the hospital before sunrise and don’t leave until the stars are out, so it’s weird to see the sun.

---