Anatoli
"I believe you chose my family to take care of the Bratva because you believe we can handle things in the way they should be."
"That's exactly why I chose the Scarfonis, but Uther has always been a part of that setup. You must understand my concerns." His voice echoes his displeasure. "To be honest, if things were like they were before I elected your father, I would have overruled this decision in a heartbeat."
"Maybe you just need to trust me."
He laughs without humor. "I'm going to need a hell of a lot more time to get to know you first before I can trust you. Last year our organization almost fell apart. Over a thousand years of a formidable legacy and it almost disintegrated on my watch. The Scarfonis were my plan to rebuild. The setup your father put togetheristhe Komarovski Bratva. That's why there was no question when it came to my decision to choose your family."
"Then rest assured I've done the right thing and I've chosen the right people."
He looks at me for a long moment, then a flicker of that suspicion that irks me enters his eyes. "I hope so, Anatoli Scarfoni. I also hope for your sake there are no other reasons for removing Uther that I don't know about and should. He's certainly being dealt with in a manner that suggests there might be."
"No, Pakhan." I give no emotion away, although there is so much inside me.
"Like I said, I hope so. I'm sure you're aware that if thereweresuch matters, I wouldn't hesitate to dole out certain punishments you might want to keep within your hands."
Aleksander is no fool. I knew if anyone were ever to suspect my vendetta against Uther it would be him-no matter how much I may look like I'm fulfilling a marriage contract. The risk in telling him the truth was this. The chance that he might figure out Uther had something to do with my mother's death.
Aleksander also knows Uther. He knows how much Uther values his position in the Bratva and he wouldn't have just accepted the loss of such an important role without a fight or some appeal if I didn't have something over him. Aleksander just doesn't know where to start looking for what I have. Even if he knew, he would never find it. It's hidden so deep, I'd need the type of clearance to get into Fort Knox to access it-that's the benefit of having someone like Gytha working for you.
Regardless, I need him to trust me.
"It would be a shame to start off on the wrong foot with me, especially since you'll have a wife to take care of in a matter of days." Cruelty curdles deep in his dark blue gaze.
At the clear threat toward Avrora, my blood spikes and my nerves twist. The crimson haze of rage is a breath away, but I quell it only because I need to.
I have my rune, and I could challenge him, but there is always strength in numbers. Especially when you have a solid following and the devil's laws are on your side.
Now that his eyes are on me, if he managed to find out what I have on his own, he could kill Avrora for any of the crimes Uther has committed. And what I suspect him of-as in the mystery surrounding the Butyrskayas. Guilt for that would be worse than what I already have because of who the Butyrskayas were. When Avrora marries me, she'll no longer be anything to do with Uther, but there are exceptions. Exceptions the Pakhan can make if he wishes to.
"I assure you, there is nothing to worry about." I sound like things really are what they seem. But I'm already planning his death if he thinks he can use Avrora against me.
She's mine.
Mine to protect. Even if I have to come up against all the Knights in the world and beyond, I'm not going to allow anything to happen to her.
"That's good to hear. See you in a few weeks. I hope you enjoy your wedding."
"Thank you, Pakhan." I bow curtly and leave.
His eyes bore into me right until I walk through the door. It's only once I turn into the corridor that the intensity subsides.
When I walk into the passage, I'm surprised to see Leif standing with Zakh and Malik. They look like they were waiting for me.
"There he is," Leif announces, looking like a proud father.
"The man of the hour." Zakh smiles.
"I wasn't expecting anything," Malik says, extending his hand to shake mine.
I shake his hand, feeling more assured in my decision. "Are you okay with the role?"
"I most certainly am. It's more along the lines of what I'm trained to do."
"I thought so. I felt it would be more useful to put those skills to use."
His smile widens. "Thank you."
I glance at Leif, who nods his approval, then I look around for Mikhail, who I'm sure has already left.
"Mikhail's gone," Zakh fills in.
"That's okay."
"We thought maybe we could talk for a while," Leif suggests. "Maybe you boys could get to know each other a little better before things become more hectic."
"I'd like that."
I know what he's trying to do. Leif wants us to bond. As much as I just want to get back to Avrora, I have to do this for him. And maybe for me, too.
Strength in numbers is probably what I need, especially with the Pakhan clearly suspicious of me and having Mikhail as my enemy.