Chapter 26 Nikolai
I had a plan.
Before the politician could make his move, I would visit him first. I would offer him something he could not refuse.
Men like him were predictable. They cared about wealth more than honor. More than justice and than their own daughters.
So I took Mikhail and four of my best guards. We were going to the politician's usual spot.
Alexei's casino.
Of every place to be in Moscow, he chose Alexei's casino.
That snake was probably already whispering poison in the politician's ear.
"Are you sure about this?" Mikhail asked as we walked down the hallway towards the front entrance.
"Yes."
We walked in silence. My mind was elsewhere. On Anya.
I wanted to check on her and see her face.
I wanted to hold her one more time before walking into this mess.
But Mikhail had warned me against it this morning. So I did not go to her room even though every part of me wanted to.
Then I saw her standing in the hallway, holding the white rose in her hands.
My heart stopped.
She looked beautiful in her simple dress. Her hair was brushed and shining. And she was smiling. That soft, shy smile that made my chest ache.
She had understood what the rose meant.
I wanted to pull her into my arms. But Mikhail was right behind me. Watching.
And I had to prove that she meant nothing.
So I kept walking.
I did not look at her, I just walked past like she was not even there.
I saw her mouth open. Her face dropped in disappointment. The smile on her lips died.
And the rose hit the floor.
But I kept walking. I did not look back. I did not stop.
Even though every step felt like a knife in my chest.
We got into the car. Mikhail sat beside me in the back seat.
"That was good," he said quietly. "Exactly what you needed to do."
I said nothing. I just stared out the window.
"Nikolai?" He called.
"What?" My voice was tight.
"Are you alright?"
"I am fine." I said coldly.
But I was not fine. I could not stop seeing Anya's face. The hurt in her eyes. The way she had looked at me like I had betrayed her.
The drive to the casino felt like it took forever. My mind was not on the meeting. It was back at the estate with Anya.
She would be so sad and confused right now. She would think I used her.
And maybe that was for the best. Maybe if she hated me, she would be safer.
But the thought made me sick.
We arrived at the casino. Alexei's territory. His kingdom of vice and corruption.
The building was massive. All glass and gold. Music poured from the open doors. People walked in and out, dressed in expensive clothes, carrying expensive drinks.
"Ready?" Mikhail asked.
"Yes." I breathed.
When we walked inside, the noise hit me immediately. Slot machines were ringing. Some people were laughing, some were shuffling cards. Chips were being brought in.
A guard led us to a private room in the back. The politician was already there. Sitting at a table, drinking expensive whiskey and looking smug and stupid.
And beside him was Alexei. Of course.
"Nikolai," the politician said. "I did not expect to see you so soon."
"We need to talk." I sat down across from him ignoring Alexei’s glare.
"About what? About how you mutilated my daughter?"
"About compensation." I said.
The politician laughed. "Compensation? You think money can fix this?"
"Yes. I do."
"You are mistaken. My daughter will never have her hand back. No amount of money can change that."
"But money can make you forget." I leaned forward. "Money can make you comfortable. It can give you power and everything you have ever wanted."
Alexei leaned in. "Do not listen to him. He is trying to buy you off."
"Shut up, Alexei," I said without looking at him. "This does not concern you."
"Everything that happens in my casino concerns me."
"Then maybe you should have controlled your guest better." I turned back to the politician. "I am offering you one billion dollars in cash. Plus free lifetime access to my casino. The best casino in the city. Better than this dump."
The politician's eyes widened slightly. "One billion?"
"Yes. And immunity. You will be untouchable." I smiled.
"That is a generous offer," the politician said slowly.
I knew it. Cheap ass.
"Do not take it," Alexei hissed. "He is trying to control you."
"I said shut up, Alexei." My voice was cold.
The politician looked between us. Then he smiled. "I accept."
"What?" Alexei stood up. "You cannot be serious!"
"I am very serious." The politician extended his hand. "One billion dollars. Free access. Immunity. It is a deal."
I shook his hand. "The money will be transferred tonight."
"Excellent." The politician drank his whiskey. "Pleasure doing business with you, Nikolai. No wonder you're the boss!"
Alexei's face was red with rage. "You fool! You have just sold yourself to him!"
"No. I have just become very rich." The politician laughed. "You should try it sometime, Alexei. Money is better than pride."
Alexei glared at me. "This is not over."
"Yes. It is." I stood up. "Mikhail, let us go."
We walked out of the casino into the cold night air.
"That went better than expected," Mikhail said.
"Yes."
"Though it cost you a billion dollars."
"It's worth it."
We got into the car.
I checked my watch. It was getting late. Almost evening.
I need to get back to the estate to see Anya.
"Take us home," I ordered the driver.
"Wait." Mikhail put his hand on my arm. "Not so fast."
"What now?"
He pulled out his phone and showed me a message.
It was from Katya's father.
An invitation.
"He wants to host you tonight," Mikhail said. "At his estate. To discuss the wedding plans."
"I cannot go. I need to get home."
"You have to go. This is about the alliance."
"I do not care about the alliance right now."
"Nikolai." Mikhail's voice was firm. "You have to go. If you refuse, Katya's father will pull out. And then all of this. Everything you just did. Will be for nothing."
"I cannot sleep without Anya," I whispered into his ears .
"I do not care," Mikhail said, surprisingly. "You will stay up all night if you have to. This meeting is about your future. Do not be selfish."
I wanted to tell him to go to hell and order the driver to take me home.
But I knew he was right.
If I refused this meeting, I would lose everything. The alliance. The support. The power I needed to protect Anya.
So I nodded. "Fine. Take me to Katya's father."
The drive felt like torture. Every minute took me further from Anya.
We arrived at Katya's estate.
Katya's father greeted me at the door. He was an old man with gray hair and hard eyes. He has a military background that showed in the way he moves.
"Nikolai. Welcome." His voice was deep.
"Thank you for the invitation."
"Come. We have much to discuss."
He led me to his study. A massive room full of books and weapons.
We talked for hours. About the wedding. About the alliance.
But I could not focus. My mind kept drifting back to Anya. Wondering what she was doing. If she was crying. If she hated me.
"Nikolai?" Katya's father said. "Are you listening?"
"Yes. Of course."
"You seem distracted."
"I am fine. Just tired."
"Then you should rest. We have a guest room prepared."
"No. I do not want to sleep. I want to go home." I said factly.
Katya's father studied me. Then he nodded. "You can't go home tonight. My daughter wants to spend the night with you. She's your fiancee afterall."
I wanted to refuse, but the look in his eyes made me swallow my words.
And that was how I spent the night.
In Katya's father's study.
Katya made the attempt of taking me to her room, but I refused. She threatened to tell her father, but I told her fuck herself.
Every part of me screamed to go home to Anya.
But I could not.
So I stayed awake. All night with the lights turned on. Watching the clock and counting the hours I have left to leave.