Chapter 7

Lev

“ D alia, are you ready for the meeting with the board at ten?”

It's the following morning, and I'm going over the day with Dalia in my office.

I've been facing the window while detailing the schedule. I finally turn to her, taking her in. She's dressed in a way that's distractingly professional—though almost certainly unintentionally so. A woman like her can't help but be sexy.

God, the things I want to do to her.

“Yes, sir,” she replies, her voice steady.

There it is again, that word sir. My mind flashes back to our night together, and I have to force myself to stay on track.

“We’ll also need to prepare the quarterly reports for my review,” I continue, my eyes involuntarily drifting to the curve of her waist and the way her blouse tugs slightly as she leans forward to make a note.

She nods, jotting down the details. “Got it. Is there anything else you need me to get ready?”

“No, that should be it for now,” I say, finally tearing my gaze away from her and back to the agenda in my hand. “Just make sure everything is in order for the board meeting.”

“Of course, Mr. Ivanov,” she says, looking up at me with those chocolate-brown eyes that have been haunting my thoughts.

“Do you remember what time the call with the European partners is scheduled for?” I ask, a little test.

She pauses, her brow furrowing slightly. “I believe it’s at two p.m.,” she says, but there’s a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

I take a stern tone with her.

“Dalia, as my PA, you’re going to have to have an encyclopedic understanding of my schedule. You can’t afford to hesitate.”

She looks a bit chastened, and I realize my tone might have been too harsh.

“I have a private meeting in a few minutes,” I say, softening my voice. “I’ll let you know when my guests and I need coffee.”

She nods, standing up and gathering her notes. “Understood, Mr. Ivanov.”

“Good,” I say, watching her for a moment longer than necessary. “You can go now.”

Dalia turns and leaves the office, and I can’t help but admire the way she moves, the sway of her hips. Once the door closes behind her, I take a deep breath, trying to regain focus.

Having her as my PA is going to test my self-control in ways I never anticipated.

Ten minutes later, there’s a knock at my office door. "Come in," I call out.

The door swings open, and Vladimir Smirnov strides in, followed closely by Ivan “Vanya” Korolev.

Vladimir is a key ally and partner in our operations, and Vanya is my right hand and close confidant.

"Gentlemen," I say, my voice firm. "Take a seat. Let's get started."

The three of us exchange pleasantries but I keep it brief. Time is valuable.

“Alright, let's get down to business. The company is growing nicely. We're quickly becoming one of the largest holding companies in the Midwest.”

We discuss possible expansions to the east and west coasts, plans that are ambitious but necessary.

“We need to build a stronger base here before making those moves,” I say, my tone firm.

Vanya smirks, making a crack. “Lev, you've always imagined taking over the world.”

I allow myself a smirk of my own. “True, but I'll start with the U.S. first.”

Vladimir interjects, his expression serious. “There's a growing problem we need to address. A man named Alexei Plushenko has been swooping in and buying properties we've been looking to acquire.”

My eyes narrow. “Plushenko. What do we know about him?”

“He’s a cunning operator,” Vladimir explains. “Seems to have deep pockets and good intel on our moves. He had the audacity to have his personal assistant inform us that he's willing to sell the properties to us, for a 'fair and reasonable price.’”

I glance at Vanya. “Look into it.”

Vladimir continues, his tone heavy with annoyance. “And, of course, the prices are anything but reasonable. He’s playing games, trying to undermine us at every turn.”

I feel my jaw clench. The nerve of this Alexei, thinking he can toy with us like this.

“We’ll see about that,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “Vanya, I want you to dig up everything you can on him. I want to know his every move before he makes it.”

Vanya nods, already formulating a plan. “Consider it done.”

Vladimir adds, “We can’t let him think he has the upper hand. We need to make a move, and soon.”

I agree. “We’ll strategize our next steps carefully. But make no mistake, we will put Alexei in his place.”

A charged silence fills the room, each of us aware of the stakes.

I muse aloud, a trace of confusion in my tone. "It's odd—no one in Chicago's Russian American community would dare challenge Ivanov turf like this. By this point, they all know better."

Vanya leans forward. "There are always new young guns trying to make a name for themselves by targeting those at the top."

Vladimir, however, isn't convinced. He shakes his head dismissively. "Even the ambitious ones here know better than to take a direct swing at us." He pauses, his gaze sharpening. "We need to exercise caution with Alexei. He's clearly not a typical brash youth; he's astute, hungry for power, and obviously well-connected if can afford the real estate."

I nod, absorbing their perspectives. "Agreed, Vladimir. Underestimating him would be a mistake. His audacity implies he has support and resources we haven’t fully accounted for yet. Not to mention the kind of nerve that could prove dangerous.”

Vanya interjects, "I'll look into his networks. Understanding his backers will reveal their confidence in challenging us."

"Excellent," I respond. "And Vladimir, monitor his movements closely, especially around the properties he's targeting. We need to anticipate his strategies."

Vladimir nods firmly. "I'll ensure our real estate team is on high alert. If he tries to outsmart us, we’ll catch him swiftly."

Leaning back, I consider our strategy. "We must handle this delicately. Alexei is looking to provoke us, but we will dictate the terms of our response. His ambition will be his downfall. He will fall in line or be crushed under my boot.”

The atmosphere is charged with tension. I look between Vanya and Vladimir. "Stay sharp. This isn't just about defending our assets—it's about reinforcing the stature of the Ivanovs."

Their nods of agreement affirm their readiness. Alexei Plushenko might think himself a formidable challenger, but he's about to learn the harsh reality of going against the Ivanov family.

I sit back, letting the conversation wash over me.

“A bit of coffee before we go on, gentlemen?”

“That would be heavenly,” replies Vanya.

I place my finger on the intercom to Dalia’s office.

“Coffee, please. Cream and sugar.”

“Yes, Mr. Ivanov.”

“How’s the new personal assistant?” Vanya asks, turning his cane over in his hands.

God, what a question. “Working out well so far. No major mistakes—yet.”

Vladimir smiles. “Perhaps she’ll free up your schedule enough to take a day off every now and then, maybe some time to hit the links with me like I’ve been pestering you to do.”

I chuckle. “You know golf’s never been my thing, it’s too slow.”

“Just think of it as a lovely walk through the park,” Vladimir replies. “One where you get extremely frustrated now and then.”

Vanya laughs. “You sure know how to make a case, Vlad.”

Dalia enters the room with the coffee, her movements fluid and alluring. As she bends over slightly to hand out the cups, her posture accentuates her curves, and I find myself struggling to maintain my composure. Underneath my desk, I feel a familiar stir of arousal, making it increasingly difficult to focus.

Vladimir, noticing my distraction but misinterpreting the cause, gives me a ribbing smile.

"Lev, you look like you've seen a ghost. Too much on your mind?"

I clear my throat, adjusting slightly. "Just thinking about the next steps," I reply, trying to keep my tone even.

Dalia, seemingly oblivious to the effect she's having, smiles politely and asks, "Anything else you need right now?"

Vanya, ever observant, gives me a quick glance but remains silent, sipping his coffee.

"Just the coffee, thank you, Dalia," I manage to say, my voice slightly strained.

She nods and exits the room, and I take a deep breath, trying to refocus on the men in front of me.

Vladimir leans back. "You know, Lev, it's good to see you taking charge like your father did. He'd be proud."

I nod, appreciative of the sentiment. "Thanks. We've come a long way from the old days, haven't we?"

"Indeed, we have," he agrees, his tone reflective. "I remember when we used to run around causing more trouble than what it was worth. Now look at us—strategizing about expansions and dealing with corporate espionage."

Vanya chuckles dryly. "Speak for yourselves. I was always the responsible one."

"You? Responsible?" Vladimir laughs, the sound booming around the room. "Let's not rewrite history too much."

The light banter helps ease some of the tension, and I find myself grateful for the moment of levity.

"Now, about those expansion plans," I steer the conversation back to business. "We need to be two steps ahead of Alexei and anyone else who thinks they can take a piece of what we've built."

"Agreed," Vladimir says, his expression turning serious again. "We'll do whatever it takes. You can count on that."

The meeting concludes with strategic decisions mapped out and the team reinvigorated. I stand up, signaling the end of our session. "I'll have Dalia schedule a follow-up in a few days," I tell Vladimir and Vanya, shaking their hands firmly.

"Sounds good, Lev. We'll be ready," Vladimir responds.