Page 8 of Bratva Bride

“Look, I’ll be honest, I barely remember the night Nikolai. I’m sorry, okay?”

He shook his head, disappointment flashing on his face. “Just get rid of him before Father finds out. Otherwise, it’s both our asses.”

I saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

“I’m serious, Illayana. He’s your responsibility. And if you don’t handle it, we’ll all be in deep shit.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll deal with it. Don’t get your panties in a bunch.”

“Nikolai! Hurry up already!” Lukyan yelled from the front of the house.

My brother narrowed his eyes and pointed his finger sternly at me before turning, plucking a banana from the kitchen counter and jogging away.

I blew out a breath and reached for the handle on the sliding door that led to the outside veranda. A deep voice called out to me from behind. Turning around, I found my father’sSovietnik, Maxim heading towards me.

ASovietnikis a councillor, someone who helps thePakhanin making decisions and gives another point of view. Maxim has been with the Bratva for as long as I can remember and he's one of my fathers most trusted advisors.

My eyes travelled up and down his long, muscular body as he stopped in front of me. His full lips curved into that devilish smile that always makes me hot, and his chocolate brown eyes lit up with excitement.

Maxim and I have had a bit of a sexual relationship over the past few years. He may be a little older than me. . . okay, a lot older. At thirty-nine, there’s a solid eighteen years age difference between us, but I don’t give a shit. He’s sexy as all fuck and age doesn’t matter to me if they're older.

"Happy Birthday, Miss Volkov," he said, giving me a slight bow and arching an eyebrow in amusement.

Even though we passed onto a first name basis years ago, in public he will always address me as he should. My father would kill him if he were to find out one of his men, hisSovietnikno less, had slept with his daughter after just turning eighteen. Actually, killing would be too quick. Knowing my father and his need for revenge, I'd say he'd make Maxim suffer for a long time before letting him meet his end.

“Maxim,” I replied coolly, with a slight tilt of my head.

Maxim scanned the kitchen, taking note of who was around us before his brown eyes focused back on me. His eyes roamed up and down my body and I could see him mentally undressing me in his mind. "Heading to the gym?" he asked, a hint of seduction in his voice.

The gym is our usual go-to place. There’s an entire workout area specifically designed for me, which only my brothers and I have access to. My father can be a tad bit overprotective sometimes, and he likes to make sure all precautions are met when it concerns his only daughter.

Truth be told, I was heading to the gym, but not for the workout he had in mind.

"I am," I replied, before turning on my heel and making my way outside.

The Las Vegas sun bored down on me the second I stepped foot on the veranda, and the heat instantly brought sweat to my brow. I hated the fucking heat, with an unbelievable passion. If it’s too hot and muggy, you better stay the fuck out of my way. I’ve been known to shoot a person or two who pisses me off on a hot day.

"Keen for some company?" Maxim asked, following behind me as I headed towards the warehouse a few yards behind the house. "I need to give you your birthday gift," he said, winking.

If I know Maxim - and I think I do - his "gift" would be his cock.

"Not today," I said, briskly. "I have a meeting tomorrow with my father, and I need to get a proper workout in beforehand."

Maxim stopped dead in his tracks, a look of confusion plastered all over his face. "The De Luca meet? You're going to that?"

His tone of voice irritated the fuck out of me and I couldn’t help clenching my teeth.

"Yes. Father asked me."

"Why?" Maxim immediately asked, and his line of questioning was really starting to piss me off.

Growing up with three overbearing brothers, and a father who was head of the Russian Bratva, I learnt very quickly to stand up for myself and not take crap from anybody.

"Because Father said so."

Like I needed any other fucking reason?

I continued on, a little frustrated he followed close behind me, but I said nothing.

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