Page 38 of Bratva Queen

“So, I’d like to spend some more time with you as well, become friendly, and give you a chance to see that I mean business.”

I looked away, nodding while my words opposed, “Unfortunately for you, I don’t enjoy the same kinds of… indulgences… that Stepan does.”

“Oh?” He lifted an eyebrow. “What would you enjoy then?”

At this point, I did stand up. But it was no show of respect. I lifted until my nose was higher than his, and buttoned my suit jacket as I said, “I am not your client, Dima. Keep Stepan happy, and I’ll be happy.”

He nodded slowly, watching me carefully. “Noted.”

I smiled, patted his shoulder, and walked away.

I don’t trust that man for shit.

Chapter15

Isabel

Ileft my mama to wander the gardens of Stepan’s massive estate while I walked through the lobby with him and out the front doors. I knew he was rich, but this place showedoldmoney. It showed not only how long his family had been in the bratva business or how he’d developed such a reputation within all communities in every city, but also how deep his violent roots were.

It was ingrained in him to control—to collect power and to enjoy it at his leisure. I always kept in mind the stories that Alek had told me that night about Stepan’s youthful past, but I tried not to let them scare me. I had an abusive father, I dealt with unwanted touches and attention for a whole year at that club, I could handle myself. All I needed to do was keep a close eye on what Stepan was up to and on when his moods changed.

We stepped into the limousine on our way to lunch with an old friend of his, an associate of Stepan’s father who he liked to keep in contact with. Apparently, it was foolish to come into the throne and disregard the elders within the community. They held the people’s respect, and he needed those kinds of men in his corner.

Thankfully, he’d hired a full-time chauffeur, so Aleksei was freed up to follow us and guard us, scope out the restaurant before we entered, talk with the maître d’, and make sure we were well taken care of everywhere we went.

This meant he joined us in the back of the limo, although seated far ahead where he could talk with the driver through the small privacy hatch.

“So, my love, how have you been enjoying the Moscow life?” Stepan asked me, pulling me to his side with his arm around my shoulders.

I gave a light sigh, looking at him with my dangling crystal earrings tickling my neck. Due to the more casual lunch setting, I had my long hair twisted into a knot at the back of my neck and wore a plain cream-colored jumpsuit with a wide neckline. The understated outfit allowed for a little bit of extravagant jewelry.

“It’s wonderful, Stepan. But do we really need to send my mother back to Belarus after the wedding? The house is so big, we could have three entire families living here without knowing it!”

He broke eye contact and pulled his arm away to merely place it on my thigh instead. “We’ve discussed this,malyshka, it’s never healthy to have a parent living with you. Imagine the power play? Remember how she would order you around that small apartment? Do you really think she’s going to just let you run a big house like this without giving you constant unwanted advice and opinions?”

“Yes, but we can set her up in her own section of the house, can’t we? She’d have her own lounge and kitchen to use, she won’t need much—”

“No, no, no,” Stepan said insistently, though calmly. He then looked at me seriously. “My love, you know the business I’m in. You know how Aleksei must always be one step behind us, behind you, at all times?”

My eyes darted to Alek, who was keeping his gaze averted.

“Yes.”

“I would need to hire your mama a guard of her own. I would need to accommodate her as though she’s royalty. I know she’s your mother and you love her but she’s not mine, and I’m not prepared to have her living in my house, where my business takes place, where she can hear too much, where she can be in danger of being taken and tortured for information!”

I was quiet, hearing his words as they rose in volume.

“Don’t you see?” he continued. “She would be in danger here. I can focus on protecting my wife, but not her family as well. Now, of course, we’ll be setting her up in a house on the safer side of her city in Belarus, she’ll be able to retire and live her life as though she has absolutely no ties to the bratva at all. Don’t you think that would be better for her?”

I pressed my lips together, not entirely convinced. I was glad about setting her up for retirement in a safe area, but I still would have preferred to have her closer to me. I’d lived with her my whole life, until only a few weeks ago. I was no mama’s girl, but we were close, and I loved her. While sometimes judgmental, her advice was usually sound.

“Yes, Stepan… I suppose it would be safer to have her away from the business.”

“There we are,” he kissed my temple. “I’m glad you understand.”

“While we’re on the topic of safety and bodyguards…” I said slowly, and noticed Aleksei’s eyes shift to mine, “I was wondering what the situation would look like once I start college? What will the process be? Surely you won’t have a bodyguard enrolled as well just to sit with me in every class?”

Alek looked away again, satisfied with my line of questioning.

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