Page 55 of Vendetta Crown

The question catches me off guard. I feel both Ruslan and Mikayla watching me, waiting. My hand instinctively moves to my stomach where our child grows.

"Mikayla is right about theVori," I say slowly. "You can't dismantle it completely. Unless…"

Just then, an idea forms in my mind. Something dangerous and ambitious that makes my heart race.

"Unless you put yourself at the head of it."

The silence that follows is deafening. I feel my cheeks burning, my pulse throbbing in my neck. Did I overstep? The air in the room feels suddenly thick, and it's hard to breathe.

My mouth goes dry as I watch Ruslan's expression shift from surprise to contemplation.

Ruslan shakes his head. "This isn't something to consider lightly. The other pakhans have grown fat under Gregor's leadership. They won't take kindly to a shift like this."

"A deal has already been struck with Potyomkin in Las Vegas," I point out. "His money combined with your guns creates a powerful alliance. Yes, there will be challenges, but it's not impossible"

Ruslan doesn't disagree, but I can see the weight of this possibility settling on his shoulders.

"May I be excused?" Mikayla asks suddenly. "I need time to think about how to tell my sisters."

Ruslan nods, and she rises gracefully, leaving us alone with the dangerous possibility I've just unleashed.

Once we're alone again, silence returns, filled with possibilities.

"The other pakhans in theVori," Ruslan finally says. "Some might be persuaded, especially if Potyomkin stands with us. But others are firmly in Gregor's pocket."

"How many would follow you?"

"Not enough," he admits. "And those who might would need substantial convincing."

I watch his face as he mentally tallies the loyalties of men I've barely met. The furrow between his brows deepens as he considers each man's price. Money, territory, protection.

Each one will need to be negotiated with separately, and that's assuming they haven't already negotiated among themselves.

That's what he's really concerned with. If he tries to negotiate with them all one-on-one, they may simply choose to band together behind his back.

To achieve success, we'll need them all in the same place at once.

Then, an idea blossoms in my mind.

"I have an idea," I say, my voice stronger than I expected.

Ruslan looks up. "What are you thinking,zarechka?"

"It's like you said." I move closer, excitement building. "Men fight in the mud, but women drag them back to the table."

His eyes narrow slightly. "What exactly are you proposing?"

"The wives." I pace back and forth, mind racing. "I know what I saw at our wedding. I saw how they kept their eyes down the entire time."

"Many of them are genuinely afraid of their husbands," Ruslan points out. "They're not like you or Vera. They can't influence their husbands the way you think."

"I don't need them to influence their husbands," I reply, turning to face him. "I just need them here. Because if they come, their husbands will follow."

Understanding dawns on Ruslan's face. "Because those old men would never allow their wives to plot together."

"Exactly." I nod eagerly. "Those controlling bastards would either send their most trusted men or come themselves to find out what's happening. And that's when you lay out your plan."

"It's risky," he says, but I can see the calculation in his eyes. "If we push this..."

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