Page 31 of Cruel Russian Pakhan
This wasn’t supposed to be happening like this.
After a quick shower, I dressed and headed out to meet Rocco. On the way, I shut off every thought of Vera, reminding myself she was a Rykov, a pawn in the grand scheme of things.
My head needed to be clear for this meeting, for the sake of my family and my faction. Because if Artyom was calling us the enemy, that wasn’t something to take lightly.
Thirty minutes later, I was seated at the head of the conference table with my brothers.
“Jaroslav. Did Artyom make the announcement public?”
Jaroslav shook his head. “No. He called me directly. Said we can’t be trusted, declared us the enemy and hung up.”
“Then we keep this internal. No public moves. Not yet. Tighten security across the board: homes, businesses, accounts. We wait for him to make the first move.”
“Noted. Has Timur found anything on the attempted assassination?”
“Nothing solid yet. He’s digging through their family calls, messages. So far, everything’s clean.”
“A house divided cannot stand,” Marten said. “Artyom knows that. Whether he likes it or not, a deal was made. Now it's sealed whether he likes it or not. A war between us only benefits the vultures circling outside.”
I leaned back, tapping a finger against the table. “He just gave us cover. This little power play might be exactly what we need.”
Avit looked over. “Explain.”
“Tonight, at the party, everyone will see Vera with me. They’ll see the rings. They’ll do the math. Once word gets back to Artyom’s informants, and it will, they’ll assume our alliance with them is mutual. That illusion will not only buy us time and make it easier to breach his brokerage system, but it will keep our other enemies off our backs as well.”
Jaroslav nodded. “He’ll be so focused on watching the front door, he won’t see us coming through the back.”
Pyotr’s eyes narrowed. “Artyom just declared us an enemy. You think he won’t have eyes on us? Tap our phones, hack our systems, hijack our security feeds, bleed intel any way he can?”
“He might have more information, but our tech teams are better. They’re already on high alert, upgrading everything,” I reassured him.
Jaroslav added, "He won't waste bodies tailing us, he’ll aim straight for the pressure points: Ninel, Mariya, the businesses.”
“Lev, the fact that he sent gunmen after you while Vera was with you means she'll also be a pressure point,” Avit added.
Marten grunted. “Ninel and Mariya aren't going to like having babysitters.”
“I'll make sure Vera is safe.” I turned to Marten. “Ninel and Mariya understand what’s at stake. They won’t risk being reckless. Add extra guards at the Hearth; once they're done there, have the guards take them home. Let them gather whatever they need for the party tonight and drop them off at my place. We regroup there and head to the party together.”
Marten nodded and left the room.
I leaned forward, my tone deadly. “When Artyom strikes, we’ll remind him why no one fucks with the Safin faction.”
As soon as Marten returned, we spent the next two hours going over contingencies, tightening every thread.
After Avit, Pyotr, and Marten left, Jaroslav and I handled the rest of the Bratva business we couldn’t put off. War was coming, and we needed to stay two steps ahead.
Around seven that night, Rocco dropped me off at home, then took Jaroslav to his place to get dressed. When I stepped inside, Pyotr, Avit, and Marten were in the lounge having a drink. Avit informed me that Ninel and Mariya were upstairs with Vera, getting ready.
As I opened my bedroom door, I heard Ninel’s laugh ring out from Vera’s room. One reason I wanted my sisters here was for their protection, but also to help Vera unwind. Tonight, we had to look the part: the perfectly happy couple.
Bringing Vera had been the right call. Timur confirmed the Rykovs would be at the party. After everything Artyom pulled—hiding her, the attempted hit, declaring us the enemy this morning—walking in with her on my arm would send the clearest message: fuck you.
Thirty minutes later, I stepped out of my room just as the women came out of Vera’s.
“Hi, ladies,” I said with a smile, though my eyes were only on Vera.
I’d already seen her in the dress, but somehow, it looked even better on her the second time.
