Page 31 of Mafia King: Matteo
“This marriage ensures there will be no confusion going forward,” I say, handing him my empty glass and turning to leave.
I nod to Gio as he opens the door and follows me out. Mikhail’s men hurry past us to check on their boss. What’s the rush? They’d be too late if we’d killed him.
As soon as we leave the house, I take a deep breath of cold air to clear my head.
“Damn, that house was gloomy. If we stayed any longer, we would have seen the ghost of Gorbachev. Thank God Alena is not like her father. Having met him, I can see why she’s so defensive and has so many trust issues.”
I know what it’s like to be ignored until a parent needs something. Her life was probably much the same and still is. Her father considers her his property until she is someone else’s. All he wants from her is an arranged marriage that benefits him.
“What are the odds he’ll take the deal?”
“I’d say the odds are good, very good. I doubt Mikhail wants the Don to know he negotiated this deal behind his back.”
“Yes, you have the upper hand. So you’re going through with this?”
“I want this fucking building. I want to add floors so it will be the tallest hotel in the city. I’m riled up. Until I reach the sky, nothing is too much.
“The hotels our family owns make money. The only problem is that a councilman previously voted against a height variance for someone else. Find out who the holdout is and take care of it. I need this to go smoothly. If my uncles smell blood in the water, they will eat me like a shark.”
My focus has been on fucking Alena when I should have been focused on my enemies.
“I need Alena. She’ll be an asset. It doesn’t hurt that she’s our enemy’s daughter.”
“Are you sure that’s all it is? Marriage?” I feel his eyes observe me as he waits for an answer.
“Of course, besides, a marriage will get the uncles off my back and will provide an heir. I hope it will take the target off my brother, Niccoló.”
“Yeah, it’s no secret the family is unhappy about your bachelor status, especially at your age.”
I scoff as I slide into the SUV. The door is closed behind me.
“Alena will be useful at social functions. She’ll run interference with the lonely women desperate for attention. She’ll be helpful to me in networking among the city’s power brokers. Marriage will give me approval and establish me as a trustworthy person. Her pretty face and charming personality will soften my opponents and expedite my deals.”
“Now, you sound like a Don.” Gio chuckles in relief, and we head to lunch.
CHAPTER 12
ALENA
I dress in my favorite Ralph Lauren outfit for my first day on the job. The skirt and jacket are black suede, and the turtleneck is forest green. I tug on black leather boots that come up to my thighs. I bet Mr. Grey would love this outfit.
I approach the mirror over my sofa and apply lipstick before dropping it in my purse. Now, where the hell did I leave my phone? Damnit. I’m not old enough to forget where I left it.
I tell myself it’s first-day jitters, not dementia, and use my watch to ping my phone. I follow the ringing sound to my bedroom, grab the phone and my coat, and leave, locking the door behind me.
When I step outside the building, Dima jumps out of a black Escalade and opens the door for me.
“Thank you, Dima.”
“My pleasure, Ms. Pasnov.”
“You know that makes me feel so old, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. But it’s your father’s directions.”
“Of course. He’s ex-KGB. This means that somewhere in the recesses of his reptilian brain, he is still fighting the Cold War. That’s why he trusts no one and treats me like I’m trying to defect. The man has no idea what my generation thinks.”
“He does know your generation, and he chooses to ignore it,” he replies as he starts the engine.
