Chapter 4 - Igor

I like them feisty, but I don't like disobedience. It's a fine line. I've built myself up from that quiet little boy in Russia to who I am now—a leader of a family, a large family that commands respect.

If she tries to run away again, I'll have to teach her a lesson about what it means to be part of our family.

We aren't the Milovs. We aren't soft, calm men. We are passionate and rough, and we love fiercely.

Love. I'm already talking about love.

It's not love; it's an intoxication.

Those baby blue eyes, those pouting lips. Oh, what I would do to have them look up at me as she sucked on my dick.

I put the thought out of my mind for now. We're not there yet. As much as I want to be, it is going to take a little work. But soon, I will win her over, and she will come to terms with being my wife and what that duty and responsibility means for the family.

She will want for nothing, but she must be loyal and always be by my side.

I walk back into my office and notice Matvey sitting in front of my desk, smoking a cigar.

"Those are specially flown in," I mutter as I sit at my desk.

"I didn't think you'd mind," he says, tilting his head. "I've come to talk some sense into you."

"Watch your tone, Matvey. You may be my second in command and baby brother, but I am Pakahn, and you will show me respect." I cut off the end of my previous cigar and light it anew.

"Will you at least hear me out? Brother to brother?" He leans forward, pushing a glass of whiskey toward me.

"Fine, what is it?"

"This is not a good idea, Igor. Taking this Milov as your wife. Firstly, it will start a war with the Milovs. We're on their territory. We don't have a proper base here in Vegas yet. We still need to build ourselves up." He sips his bourbon and sighs, setting his glass down.

"You worry too much, Matvey. We wanted to announce our arrival, and now we have. The Milovs will be shaken to the core, and with their defenses down, we can strike." I puff on my cigar. "I don't know what it is about her, but I can't stop thinking about her."

"You're obsessed with a sworn enemy," Matvey says.

"I won't lie." I shake my head and chuckle. "I'm taken with her. But that doesn't mean this isn't a strategic move on our part, brother." I take another sip of my whiskey. "The Milovs will soon know of our arrival and will have to accept we are now joined through marriage."

"And if they simply write their sister off?" Matvey asks. "If they do nothing."

"I've known them longer than you. I've known them more intimately than you do. Kervyn places family above everything. Once he learns his sister is in my clutches, he will seek me out. He will be forced to negotiate with me."

Matvey shakes his head and kills his cigar. "There's no talking you out of this, is there? You refuse rather to use her as ransom, which I think is a much better idea?"

"No, she is interesting and fiery. I will take her as my wife. Who do we know here that is ordained?"

Maytev looks at me for a moment, then relents. "There's Estivador, that Brazilian guy we know from the resort. He helps couples elope all the time."

"Call him, have him come over," I say, downing my whiskey. I want to get this done with as quickly as possible so we can move on with business."

"Want what done with as quickly as possible? Can I help?" We both look to the door where Yvonne stands. Technically, she's our cousin. My parents adopted her when hers were killed in Russia, so that's when she became our sister. She has the same dark looks as we do, so it's believable.

"Well, you're going to have a new sister-in-law," I say with a smile. "How are you finding Vegas?"

"Backtrack to the new sister-in-law?" She walks in and sits beside Matvey. "Who's getting married?"

"I am. Today." I say, snubbing out my cigar and pouring some more whiskey. "We're just about to call the priest to officiate it."

"Who are you getting married to?" she asks, confused.

"A girl we kidnapped and brought here today," Matvey says before I can stop him.

Yvonne knows what we do. It's no secret.

She sighs and shakes her head. "Where did you get the gown from?"

"What gown?" I ask.

"Flowers?" she asks.

I shake my head.

"You're going to force a girl to marry you, and you won't even give her a decent wedding. That's just rude, Igor." Yvonne crosses her arms. "Give me at least a day to get her a gown and some flowers. Every girl deserves that, at least."

I sigh and sit back. "It really isn't necessary. I doubt she will feel like putting on a gown for me."

"I will convince her to. Please?" Yvonne pouts at me.

I sigh. "One day, that won't work anymore." I wave her off. "Fine, go get a gown and flowers."

"And a suit for you." She stands up and hurries out before I can stop her.

Matvey chuckles. "Now you've done it. You're lucky we don't have much family here, or you'd be funding a huge party."

I smile at him. "I don't mind. It's only a day we have to wait. Phone that guy, though, and ask him to be here tomorrow to officiate the wedding. Make it clear we're to be married no matter what the bride tries to say."

"Got it." My brother stands up and walks out of the room.

I sit back to enjoy the rest of my cigar.

I wonder what Arina is doing now and if she's settling in and eating lunch. I wonder if she'll eat dinner with me.

I doubt she'll want to, and even though she's only a half-sister to Kervyn, she could still be pretty dangerous. I will have to watch my back.

I have a free evening, but I can't help but glance at the paperwork on my desk. In the top file is all the information about the businesses that Danil owns, including his casino.

I might not be able to get Arina to join me for dinner, but perhaps I can scout out Danil for future reference.

I go upstairs and strip down. I have a hot shower, trying to divert my thoughts from Arina as I wash myself. Once out, I splash on some expensive aftershave and run a comb through my hair to pull it back out of my eyes. I need a haircut.

I dress in a suit, no tie, and head downstairs, where my bodyguards are waiting.

I turn to one of the female servants standing nearby. "Take her something delicious for dinner. Offer her some wine. Make sure she's comfortable, but make sure you take a guard with you so she doesn't escape. She will try anything."

"Yes, sir," the woman replies, gives a slight curtsy, and hurries off.

I turn to my guard. "We're going gambling. I just need one of you."

"I'll come with you," Joel says. "I know all the great casinos around here."

"I want to go to Sunset Strip," I say as we walk together toward the car.

"That's owned by Danil Milov, sir," Joel says hesitantly.

"Exactly." I climb into the car, and he follows.

"To Sunset Strip," Joel tells the driver.

The driver glances into the rearview mirror to confirm, and Joel nods before the car pulls off.

I settle back. The sun is setting, and the lights are coming on. Vegas is beautiful and bright. You can hardly tell it's nighttime here with so many lights as we approach the busier city center.

Traffic is a nightmare, but I'm in no rush. I have the evening to enjoy myself. Call it my stag party.

We eventually reach the casino, and my driver drops us off in the front. I walk in with Joel behind me.

I'm surprised they don't search him. I assume a lot of people come in here with bodyguards. I walk straight toward the high-stakes tables, and a guard holds a hand up.

"Sir, this is the high-stakes section. Bets of half a million or more."

"Where do I get my chips?" I ask, taking out my bank card.

The guard nods to a woman who comes over. "Come this way, sir. Can I get you a drink?"

"Your finest whiskey, neat. Get a soda for my guard." She takes me to a table where another smartly dressed woman stands.

"Yes, sir. How much credit would you like to purchase?"

"A million to start with," I say. She punches in the numbers, and I tap my card. She then hands me a plain black card. "This has all your credit on it, which you can swipe at the table for chips."

"Thank you," I say, surprised at how efficiently this is run.

I look around and see a few poker tables with open slots. I turn to the woman. "How do I get a more private game?"

She smiles. "Private games are by invitation only, sir. If you want to play at one of the tables, I will advise Mr. Milov that you're interested."

"I would prefer not to use my name in case someone I don't appreciate is at the table."

"We are all discreet here, sir. How shall we address you?" she asks.

"Lucky Pot," I say. "Because that's what I plan to be tonight."

"Okay, sir. I will advise Mr. Milov. Please enjoy yourself on the floor for now." She gestures to the open games.

I go to join a close one where it looks like people are playing hard and high.

Once I'm dealt in, I focus on the game as I sip on my whiskey. We're gaming in the tens of thousands at the moment, so I have plenty of credit. I'm hoping Danil Milov will come personally to collect me for a private game, but after two hours, I think my luck has run out. I switch to another table to play blackjack. I prefer poker, but blackjack is nice and fast-paced. A quick way to blow money if the house is winning.

And the house always wins.

The woman from earlier comes to find me and taps me on the shoulder. "Lucky pot?"

"Yes, sweetheart?" I ask.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Milov is still busy. I've checked the game, and it's fully seated, but I can take down your phone number to ensure you're invited to tomorrow night's one." She smiles, holding out a pen and notebook.

"I'm actually getting married tomorrow," I say. "Take my number and let me know maybe in a month when the next game is. I'll be back by then from my honeymoon." I take the notepad and scribble my phone number on it.

"Thank you, sir. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

I get up. "I fold."

The dealer nods, and I look at him. "Hey, does this card expire, or can I keep it and use it next time I'm here?"

"It doesn't expire, sir," the dealer explains. "You can keep coming in and out with it, and you can use it at any of the associated Milov Corporation casinos."

"Thanks. Good luck, guys."

I glance around the table with a smile before I lead Joel out of the high-stakes section. As we're walking to the front door I see him. Danil is walking toward the high-stakes section. For a moment, our eyes meet, and my breath catches. I wonder if he'll recognize me.

He looks away almost immediately and continues to glance around.

I smirk. I like this game.