Page 1 of Bratva Prince

Prologue

Roman

The stench of blood in the air still lingers, even though the bodies had been removed days ago. Their bodies are being prepared to lie in the cold ground in just a short while. I stare at what remains of my family: just the darkened stains of their last moments down to the small pool of dried blood where my little brother bled out.

I stand in my brother’s room, looking at his toys covered in his blood. Rage and pain fill me up and hurt my soul. Of all the people to harm, a child should never pay the price. Violence had never been my strong suit.

My father had been disappointed that I was more of a financier and not a hardcore killer because there were always more and more enemies looking to take over the Semyonov Bratva.

Smirking up at the ceiling, I think about all that’s to come.

Well, Father, it seems I do have it in me.

“Boss, Boss.” Alek’s voice breaks through my mourning. My eyes slam shut as I try to control the burning anger in my chest and the annoyance at just the sound of his voice at the moment. “Alek, leave me be, or you will join these remnants.”

“Sorry.” He steps back and allows me to absorb the violent scene before me. This home used to be filled with so much love and joy, and now there’s nothing left but misery and death.

It’s the first time I’ve been here since it happened. If I’d been here, this massacre wouldn’t have taken place. The coward wouldn’t have struck with me around because he knew that my men and I were deadly even though we were quiet about it.

I wasn’t a butcher, but I had men who could slice you up like the nicest, thinnest piece of meat. I loved to use a blade over a gun. It always felt more personal.

Revenge, destruction, and absolution will be mine. As soon as I find out who did this, there will be hell to pay, and I will take no prisoners — show no mercy.

One of my father’s enemies did the unthinkable, the cruelest action, but he left one of us alive. A mistake a killer can’t make around other monsters.Did he think I was too weak to respond?

We had several other Bratvas across Russia and around the world who would love to take over all our territories and businesses, so the list of enemies could be endless, but something about this felt too close to home for it to be a stranger.

Although regrettable and worthy of revenge, my father’s death is understandable because it was the business we were in. However, the senseless butchery of my mother and brother will not be tolerated with just his murderer’s death. The annihilation of his entire lineage is a must. Nothing less will be acceptable.

“Forgive me, Sir, but it is time.”

I look at Alek and know that my long-time friend is correct. “I am not ready to let them go,” I confess.

He steps up and pulls me in for a brief hug. It’s not something I would allow from anyone else besides my family. We step back. “No one is, sir, but they will always be with you, and your revenge will ensure that their memory lives on.”

“Can I trust that you’ll be at my side?” The look in his eyes leaves me no doubt that he’s one hundred percent with me. His eyes drop to the stained stuffed animals, and I know which one catches his eye. It’s the one he gave my brother for his birthday.

He swallows hard and then says, “Until my dying breath, boss.”

I nod and then storm out of the room before I go crazy. My head needs to be clear for what’s to come. Today I’m allowed a hint of weakness, but only just a hint, so I square my shoulders and slide into the back of my secured armored vehicle. We leave my former childhood home and head to the cemetery where my family is being laid to rest.

The drive to the cemetery is filled with silence as I consider those who would dare to attack my family and those who could have gotten that close. Our enemies didn’t operate the old way anymore. Most attacks were in the done through your financials and killings were only handled by the street soldiers who didn’t mind getting their hands dirty for a bonus. I hadn’t killed anyone in years and until this I had planned on keeping it that way.

As I arrive at the entrance of the church, I’m met by the priest. “Mr. Semyonov, I’m sorry for your loss.”

I shake his hand and look over to where the caskets have been set up in the middle of the altar. “Thank you, Father.” I’ve known Father Leo since I was a little boy and my father started bringing us to this church. Given what we did, I never felt righteous coming to services. Still, I fulfilled my obligation as the bratva prince on my parents’ behalf.

I haven’t been here since I moved away and purchased my own estate about twenty miles from here. Now, I’m here for another reason. A terrible burden that I’m not ready to face.

“You will get through this one day at a time, my son.” His platitudes didn’t soothe me, but I knew it went with the role he filled.

Still, I have pressing matters on my mind. “I must ask you. Was my father’s effects taken off his body before he was taken into the funeral home?”

I examine his response, but I can’t gauge whether he truly doesn’t know, or he’s lying. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“His watch is missing.” A stabbing pain rips through my entire body at the idea that someone dare take it from him.

“I can contact the men that brought him to the church and inquire.”

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