Page 19 of Cruel Paradise

“Just preoccupied with the launch.” I focus on the last of the meat on my plate, but I can feel their eyes on me.

“You can’t let this consume you,” Vadim offers sagely. “All work and no play makes for a dullpakhan.”

He hides his resentment well these days, but I still hear it, in the sliced edge of his tone any time he mentions my title directly.

“I’ll focus on playing after Venera is launched successfully.”

Fyodor looks at me, his lips poised to speak before he clamps them shut abruptly. Every year, he seems to recede more and more into himself.

You don’t have to believe in ghosts to be haunted by them.

Vadim reaches for another piece of the shawarma with bare, greasy fingers. “Playing is good. You know what’s better?Fucking.And no one is easier to fuck than a wife.”

Kirill nearly chokes on his roast chicken. I fix my uncle with an unruffled stare. I know better than to let him rattle me. “Marriage is not on the table for me.”

Vadim sighs like I’m too stupid to understand. “You can’t escape your responsibilities forever, Ruslan. You need heirs. Only one way to make that happen.”

I take a sip of my beer and wait before answering. “There’s still time.”

“When you’re young, you think life is infinite. It’s not. Better to secure your legacy sooner rather than later.” My jaw clenches, but Vadim pays no heed to the warning. “An heir is good. Two, three, four heirs are even better. Look what happened to Fyodor: he had two heirs and he lost one to a fucking red light at the intersection.”

I don’t have to look at my father to know how badly those words wound him. He’s carried that loss on his sleeve for thirteen years. It makes me furious that Vadim would bring it up so casually. That he would bring it up at all.

He, more than anyone else, saw how my father unraveled after the car crash.

“At least Otetshadchildren. What have you contributed to the Bratva, Uncle?”

Vadim flinches back, pale blue eyes glinting. Fyodor clears his throat awkwardly. Kirill keeps shifting in his seat.

No one says anything for a long time.

Then, finally, Vadim breaks the silence. “I’ve upset you. I apologize.”

Fyodor looks between us. On the one hand, I’m his son snapping at his brother. On the other, I’m theirpahkanand that sets me apart. No—it sets meabove.

In the end, my father drops his gaze and leaves it for Vadim and me to hash out.

“There are other ways to secure a legacy,” I growl. “You should understand that better than anyone.”

I’m extending him an olive branch, but he still squirms in his seat and gnashes his teeth. “No, it’s true; my legacy will not be left to an heir.” He doesn’t meet my eyes when he talks. “A young man’s mistake. An old man’s regret.”

“Your uncle was simply trying to give you the benefit of his wisdom, Ruslan.” Fyodor’s words are soft.

I sigh and relent. The last thing I feel like doing now is squabbling with my uncle over his petty grievances. “Your wisdom is welcome in all matters of business and Bratva, uncle. You know I value your opinion.”

Vadim smiles wryly. He’s smart enough to understand exactly what I mean.Keep your opinions on my personal life to yourself.“Of course,pakhan.I will always be here when you need me.”

Fyodor seizes the moment and stands. “We should head home. I’ve been away from my garden too long.”

Kirill shows them out. When they’re gone, I stare at the mess of food containers on my desk. Normally, it’s something I’d order Emma to handle. I’d hide my amusement, watching as the vein in her forehead throbbed with irritation. I could probably make that vein disappear altogether if I just spread her legs wide and fucked her on top of all the empty cartons. Make her beg for me to stop. It would take a lot of begging, though…

Fuck me. I need to put that little siren out of my head.

But the conversation with Vadim has me thinking. Marriage is definitely not on my to-do list. Heirs may be on the list, but far, far down. Which means I have time. Time to waste on my pert little assistant. Time to enjoy her whenever I want, wherever I want, in whatever position I want.Withoutthe inconvenience of expectations.

But first, she needs to say yes.

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