16. Ivan

CHAPTER 16

Ivan

" S o do you just stand around all day waiting for Ivan like a giant statue?" Lucia asks.

My lips twitch as I walk into the living room, where Ruslan really is standing with his hands behind his back and a blank expression. Lucia's seated on the couch, peering up at him like she's trying to figure him out.

"Good morning, milaya ," I greet. "Did you sleep well?"

"Hey. Yes, I did, thank you."

She and I have developed a bit of a rapport over the last week. I haven't touched her since our last kiss, because I've been trying to respect her boundaries. I don't want to push too hard. I'm sure with time she'll thaw toward me, but for now, we're doing just what I wanted. Trying to build our relationship. So far, it's been going well. I stayed up pretty late last night with her after she convinced me to watch some more episodes of Ozark . It's probably the most domestic thing I've done in a while. It was nice.

"If you're done bothering Ruslan, he and I are going to leave. There's a meeting at the Pakhan's home," I inform her.

"The Pakhan's the head of the Russian mafia, right? Like Nicholas is Don?"

"Yes, that's right. His name is Igor Vasiliev. You'll meet him, in time."

She looks a little uncomfortable at that. "I will?"

"Yes, he'll want to meet the woman I'll be marrying. Courtesy demands I bring you with me to brotherhood meetings. The wives lounge around speaking to each other while the men talk business. You'll love it," I say teasingly.

Her nose wrinkles in distaste. "No thanks."

"Unfortunately, that can't be avoided. While we're gone, I'll ask one of my men to come in here and give you a rundown on the members of the Bratva. At least the ones of importance that you need to be aware of before being presented."

"This just keeps getting better and better," she drawls, flipping her brown hair over her shoulders. "Any other homework I need to get to?"

"Yes. Try to work on the sass," I state.

"No promises."

I shake my head, fighting a smile as I gesture at Ruslan to tell him we're leaving.

"See you later, krasavitsa ."

"Sure. Bye Ivan, bye Hulk."

Ruslan makes a soft grunt of annoyance as we walk out of the living room. He pretends otherwise but I'm pretty sure she's growing on him. Lucia's endless charm and warmth is impossible to ignore.

"Anything new to report?" I ask on the ride to the Pakhan's home.

It's crucial I have all the information I need before walking into his house. Considering I'm supposed to know everything, I can't very well be left in the dark.

"Our sources have confirmed that Zelensky will be at the meeting today," he informs me.

"That's bold considering the Pakhan is already aware of his betrayal. This should be interesting."

"What do you plan to do, sir?"

"I'll see if Igor has the balls to do anything about it. Zelensky traded with the Yakuza using Bratva supplies without the Pakhan's permission. If the Pakhan doesn't do anything about it, then I'll step in. Anything else?"

"We still can't find your brother," he states apologetically.

I was utterly unsurprised when Alexei managed to ditch the men I had following him and went off the grid a few days ago. I was expecting him to pull a stunt like that, but it bothers me. I would have expected him to go straight for Lucia as soon as I couldn't find his whereabouts. Then again, she's been watched at all times in the villa so it can't be easy to reach her. I'm still uneasy, though.

"Ensure that Mika doesn't let Lucia out of his sight today," I say, in reference to one of the guards I left behind to watch over her.

"He has his orders, sir."

We arrive at the Pakhan's home. Instead of heading to his office like I usually would, I head to the large ballroom in the mansion instead, where I find a full-blown party. Every one or two months, the Pakhan's hosts this event to supposedly bring the Bratva together. But really, it's held to weed out weaknesses and secrets. The men in the Bratva are required to bring their significant others to events like this.

As soon as I appear in front of Igor to greet him as is customarily required, a frown blossoms on his face. He's surrounded by two of his most loyal commanders, two men who hold a lot of power in the Bratva. Yuri and Damien are both middle-aged men in their fifties who seemingly have nothing better to do that to reel in as much wealth as they can and kiss the Pakhan's ass.

The older one of them Yuri Zakharov is a loud, boisterous man who makes it no secret that he despises me and would get rid of me given the chance. Damien Morozova is the more gentle one of the two. He stays under the radar most of the time and I'm not privy to a lot of information regarding him. He's the smartest one of the bunch, but still, something about him just rubs me the wrong way.

"Ahh, Ivan. We were just talking about you," Igor begins, his brown eyes trailing over my face. "I was telling Roman how excited I am to meet your new Italian wife."

"Unfortunately, Pakhan, she won't be joining us today. She's feeling a bit ill."

His eyes make it clear he's not buying into my bullshit.

"I see. Only a few days in your home and she's already falling ill. Your company must not agree with her," he says sharply.

Yuri speaks up then, blue eyes narrowed in a glare. "I heard you had to threaten the Italians into giving her to you. Who told you to do something so reckless?"

"No one," I say, grinding my jaw. "I made a deal and I simply collected on it."

"And your reward was Lucia Maranzano," Damien muses quietly. He rarely speaks, always a silent brooding shadow with dark hair and dark eyes. "I have to say I'm curious about this woman that made you renege on your lack of desire to get married."

"You'll meet her in time, Morozova."

"Hmm," is all he says in reply.

"We should have met her today," Igor snaps, visibly angry. "Don't think you're above the rules, Volkov because you most certainly aren't."

"Trust me, Pakhan, I know," I reply. If I was above the rules, I wouldn't be at this stupid farce of a party. "Also, I believe you have more pressing issues to take care of. Zelensky's still making rounds around this room like he owns the place."

Igor's face drops and his jaw immediately becomes clenched. I watch as his eyes narrow onto the man in question, who is painfully oblivious to what's coming.

"You're excused, Volkov," the Pakhan says, dismissing me.

I walk away, and unfortunately, Damien follows me.

"What is it?" I ask, my patience wearing thinner the longer I stay in this house.

I'd rather be in my own, watching a TV show with Lucia. It's funny how someone who wasn't a part of my life two weeks ago has somehow come to dominate it so much.

"You push and prod Igor so much," Damien starts. "One of these days, he's going to push back."

"I'll be waiting for that day with bated breath."

"You would, wouldn't you? Hoping to be the next Pakhan?"

I look around us at the end of that statement, trying to ensure no one heard it. My eyes narrow onto Damien. People have been killed for saying less. It's treason to even think about it. Igor might be an idiot but conspiring against him is stupid.

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Just an honest question. If the answer is no, then you have nothing to worry about, Volkov."

"Of course the answer is fucking no. You think I have any interest in a leadership position?" I snap.

If I did, then I would have become the Pakhan ages ago. The only reason Igor is able to maintain his position is because I want him to.

"That's good, Ivan," Damien states, his lips curved in a smile. "I'll see you around. Oh, and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials."

He walks away, leaving me wondering if Igor's loyal dog really is as loyal as he pretends to be. I notice Ruslan trying to catch my eye from where he's standing in the corner, so I gesture for him to walk forward.

"I want you to put a tail on Morozova. I think he's planning something," I say before Ruslan can speak.

"Yes, sir, I will. But we have a problem," he states, brown eyes filled with worry. "I just got a call. Alexei's at the villa."

My hands curl into fists. There's no doubt as to what my brother suddenly wants when he hasn't bothered to show up there for days. And he intentionally chose a day he was sure I wouldn't be present.

"Let's go," I announce.

We leave the Pakhan's home immediately, heading straight for the villa. As soon as we arrive, I find Mika passed out in front of the door. My fists clench. The sight I meet as soon as I walk in has my blood fucking boiling.