14. Ivan

CHAPTER 14

Ivan

I 'm not a fan of being caught off guard. In fact, I fucking hate it.

Since I was a child, I've always had to have all the information. When I was younger, that was the difference between the next meal for my brother and me. Knowing when shelters would be giving out food for free, or when churches would make donations.

When we moved to the U.S., gathering information is also how I was able to slowly rise to the top of the Bratva. Which is why I can't believe that I allowed this vital piece of information to slip through my fingers. Because of all the things for me not to know, the identity of the woman my brother used to be in love with should not be one of them.

I'm currently standing in the middle of the room where I access all the information I could possibly need. Everything directly beneficial to my well-being is in this room, including the people I hire to provide me with that information. Some of the best hackers from all around the world. Men and women who can get me anything I need with a few clicks on their computers.

"I want you to dig up everything you can about their relationship," I order. "Alexei was in New York five years ago. I'm assuming that's when they met. I want to know everything."

They get to work immediately, the room suddenly silent except for the noise of their fingers gliding over their keyboards. While they get to it, Ruslan arrives and guides me toward the back of the dimly lit room.

"Where is he?" I ask, my jaw clenching.

I asked him to keep tabs on Alexei after he left the house. Lucia wasn't kidding, he really is a ticking time bomb. And the last thing I need is him doing something catastrophic.

The thought of Lucia knowing anything at all about him does make me feel a little uneasy. This is such a messy situation.

"He drove to a club as soon as he left here and got drunk. He was about to get involved in a brawl but one of our men stepped in and took care of things. He was brought to the hotel afterward. He's sleeping it off in one of the rooms," he informs me.

"And you have people watching him?"

The last thing I need is Alexei disappearing. He's done it before. It took me only a couple of hours to find him, but I don't like having him out of my sight.

"Yes, sir. I don't think he'll cause any trouble until we have a clear view on the situation."

"There is no clear view," I mutter. "I'm getting married to my brother's ex-girlfriend."

I don't miss the look Ruslan throws my way at that. Or the question in his brown eyes.

"Speak," I prompt after a couple of seconds.

"Nothing, sir. It just strikes me as a little odd that you're still alluding to marrying Ms. Maranzano."

"You know me, Ruslan. When have I ever let anything keep me from getting what I want?" I question, fixing the cuffs of my suit.

It's pretty late, nearly midnight. But after that big revelation, I had to leave the house and come here. The intelligence room is my base of operations. It's in the basement of my hotel, hidden away from the rest of the world.

"Sir," the head of the intelligence team calls, beckoning me forward.

I'm at his side immediately and he proceeds to provide me with exactly what I required. Because I need to know how the hell Lucia Maranzano not only ended up in my path, but my brother's as well.

I'm leaning against the table in the hotel room, waiting for my brother to wake up. It's dawn and I still haven't gone home yet. I haven't slept at all. He's currently in the bed he was placed in the night before, and he looks peaceful in his sleep, younger. The lines of his face are smoother, but I think the only reason he looks so at peace is because he's not looking at me. There's no anger.

Alexei's always had so much anger in him, even when he was young. I don't blame him. Growing up the way we did, it's normal. The difference between us is that I took advantage of that anger and made it my drive to reach places I should have never dared to go. My brother let it fester, control him. I think now it's all he knows. Especially when it comes to me. It's easier for Alexei to blame me for all the problems in his life. Now, though, he might be justified in his anger.

He wakes up with a short gasp, sitting up, his brown eyes haunted. Because he's not only a little shit with anger issues, he's also one plagued with the nightmares of his past. It takes him a second to place his surroundings, but as soon as his eyes find me, he slumps down onto the bed.

"What do you want, Ivan?" he murmurs sleepily.

"How do you feel?" I ask.

"Like my brother's fucking the love of my life."

My lips press into a thin line. "I've asked for the chef to prepare you some soup. Have some food and then we'll talk. Aspirin?" I question, grabbing the pills I brought along with me.

Considering the wild night he had last night, I was expecting him to need it.

"Would you stop taking care of me? I'm not a child, I'm a grown man!" he snaps.

"Grown men don't throw temper tantrums instead of handling things like an adult," I point out.

He rolls his eyes. "Oh please, Ivan. The last thing I need right now is a lecture. Explain yourself."

"You start," I say. "Tell me about Lucia. How did you meet? Did you know who she really is?"

"Of course not," he grumbles. "And why the hell are you asking me? I'm sure you've already got all the answers by now."

He knows me so well.

"Sure, but I'd still like to hear from you."

For a second, I think he's about to tell me to fuck off. But then he sits up in the bed, running his hand through his dark hair.

"We met five years ago, in New York. We were living in the same building. I thought she was hot as fuck. She was also pretty bold and sexy. She was berating this doorman who wouldn't let an old woman into the building to see her grandson."

I fight a smirk. Yeah, that sounds like Lucia. But hearing him say that only makes this sick feeling slide through my chest. Especially at the sight of the fond smile on his face.

Fucking hell.

"She was in college then, wasn't she? Lucia would have only been about nineteen when you met," I feel the need the point out.

His eyes narrow. "You're one to talk, Ivan. You're twenty fucking years older than her," he retorts as expected. "It didn't matter. She was upfront about her age when we met. And she's always acted way older than she actually is. She was just this college kid attending NYU and trying to build a life for herself in the city. I think what drew me to her was how driven she was. She knew what she wanted even back then, especially so young. And she knew exactly how to get it. She kind of reminded me of you, actually," he says on a frown.

"Okay," I say uncomfortably. "What happened between you two? Why did you break up?"

"We were together for a couple of months, dating but not really dating because I was a pretty big idiot. I never even really asked her out. I liked her a lot, loved her even, but I also liked partying and drinking and all that shit. I was pretty immature back then."

"Back then," I repeat in a lazy drawl.

My brother glares at me. "Fuck off. I really wanted to change. I tried to settle down but it never really took. And eventually I lost her. She asked me to fix my life if I ever wanted a chance with her again. But she also said it would be up to her to give me that chance whenever I was ready."

I stroke my chin, considering his story. It's real heartbreaking stuff, I'll give him that.

"The entire time you had no idea she was part of the Cosa Nostra?" I ask.

"No. If I'd known, maybe I would have made different choices."

"So this is all just one big coincidence," I say on a sigh. "That's unfortunate."

Alexei raises an eyebrow. "Good thing you're not married yet. Just let her go, Ivan. You don't need her."

"And you do?"

"Yes," he answers without hesitation. "Because the past four years, I've been trying my best to be deserving of that choice should she decide to give it to me."

"You've been failing, little brother," I say kindly.

His fists clench. He lets out a deep breath, keeping his eyes fixed on me. "What are you going to do, Ivan?"

"I don't know," I say on a shrug. "Actually, I do. I'm going to get to know Lucia."

"And then what?"

"Figure out if she's worth it."

"If she's worth our relationship, you mean," my brother corrects. "Because make no mistake, if you marry her, you'll lose me."

"Hmm. We'll see about that, little brother. Have some soup, will you?" I say, tossing the aspirin on the bed before heading for the door. "I'm not a monster, and I'm not trying to hurt you."

"And yet you hurt me all the time," he says, eyes hard.

He's been singing that tune ever since I joined the Bratva and started making a better life for us.

"You hurt yourself, Alexei. You always have."

"Maybe it's time I stopped."

I should say something more. Because I really don't like the look in his eyes right now. Instead, I turn around and leave. With my little brother, it's always easier to leave. Most of the time, I don't make that choice. But right now, I don't think I have another option.

I've protected my brother all his life, sometimes at the expense of mine. I have to believe that he'll understand the depths of that sacrifice.

The first thing that pops into my head as soon as I step out of the hotel is that I have to see Lucia. The air inside the villa is cool as I step inside, and I take a moment to let the calm wash over me. The tension from earlier eases slightly as I walk through the foyer.

I make my way to the living room, my footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floors. As I round the corner, I catch sight of Lucia. She's curled up on the oversized couch, remote in hand, flipping through channels like she's been here all her life. There's something oddly satisfying about seeing her here, even though I know she doesn't want to be.

I pause in the doorway, watching her for a moment. She hasn't noticed me yet, too engrossed in whatever she's looking for on the screen. The morning light filters in through the large windows, casting a soft glow over her, making her look almost serene, like she belongs here.

She's wearing a silk robe, the dark blue fabric hanging over her curves. She still hasn't noticed me standing here watching her, so I enjoy the few moments of silence. Finally, though, I step into the room, making my presence known. Her head snaps up, eyes narrowing slightly when she sees me. For a man in my position, I'm used to seeing a certain look in people's eyes—fear, because they know what I'm capable of. Deference, because they know I'm better than them.

But that's never been the case with Lucia. There's no fear in those amber eyes, just defiance, a silent challenge that only makes me want to keep her here even more.

"You look like shit," she says in greeting, sitting up on the couch.

"I had a rough night. How about you? Did you sleep well?"

"As well as I could in a room that isn't mine," she replies, that defiant spark still there. "When do I get to go home?"

My lips tilt up in a small smirk. "What do you mean, milaya ?"

"In light of our current situation, it only makes sense that you'll be abandoning your stupid plan to force me into a marriage, Ivan. I repeat, when do I get to go home?"

"You're home now, Lucia," I say, my voice calm as I move closer, standing just a few feet away from her.

"Are you serious? What about your brother?"

"What about him?" I ask on a shrug.

Her mouth falls open. "You really are a sociopath."

"No, krasavitsa . I'm practical," I state, unbuttoning my suit jacket before settling down on the sofa across from her. "While your situation with my brother is unfortunate, I've yet to see why it should hinder our marriage going forward."

"Wow," she mutters in disbelief.

"So…" I drawl.

"So what?"

"Give me a reason, Lucia," I clarify.

She's still confused. "I don't know what you want me to say."

"Do you still love him?" I ask bluntly.

She shakes her head in lieu of answering.

"Did you ever love him?"

"No," she breathes.

And I hate that I feel immense relief at that. Because it'll only hurt my brother. Contrary to how it may seem, the last thing I want to do is hurt Alexei. He's the only family I have left. I would do anything for him. I've proven that so many times. I've gone to war for my brother.

For the first time in my life, I actually want something for myself. I want someone. And I'm unused to that feeling. I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't at least try to pursue it.

If I thought Alexei had even a slight chance with Lucia, I would give up right now. But I see that fire in her eyes, and I know without a doubt that I can match it. My brother can't. She may have been put in his path first. But she was always meant to be in mine.

"Come on, milaya ," I say, getting to my feet. "Let's eat breakfast."

"And then what?"

I ponder that for a second. "Then we can start getting to know each other. If I remember correctly, you didn't want to marry a stranger."