6. Kristof

"Itrust there is a good reason you turned up to my home covered in blood?" Aleksander stubs out his cigar on the wooden beam next to where he's leaning, adding another scorch mark to the collection of smudges decorating the paint.

"I was in a rush." It's the honest answer. "Didn't want to miss this. Last night was a lot of killing and a lot of drinking."

"The Petrovs?" Aleksander raises a brow. "Are they still a concern?"

"No."

We fall into step together, lazily walking back to the house that's lit up like a Christmas tree. "Adam Petrov turned up to the deal just like I suspected. He definitely didn't expect to see me there and was pretty quick in surrounding me. Thinking he had the upper hand, he spilled all the information we already knew. He's been whittling away at the West Coast even before we lost the docks. Claimed that we were so far from there that we didn't put enough care into the defense of the area, and he was tired of spilling his own blood for us."

"And the Irish?"

"I spoke to O'Neill. He confirmed that Petrov approached them with a deal, but he claims it all seemed above board, complete with your approval." I flex my shoulders as memories of last night trickle back in through the alcohol fog in my mind. "He backed off when I told him Petrov skinned Brennan alive."

"Skinning is not Petrov's style." Aleksander chuckles, sending me a glance.

"They don't know that."

"I will set up a meeting with O'Neill. It's time we sat down face to face to clear up any other worms in the woodwork. Do you think Petrov was acting alone?"

"Seemed like it." Inside, the warmth of the manor wraps around me like a gentle hug and I find myself immediately scanning for Alena. "Once he told me everything, I killed him. My men took out the rest of his family. There's no one left. If we had moved sooner, though, he wouldn't have had time to contact O'Neill." A pulse of irritation sweeps across my shoulders. "Now the Irish know we just lost the Family near the docks. That territory is wide open."

"I know you think I should have made a move sooner." Aleksander stops in front of the bar and lays a hand on the marble top. "But these things can't be rushed. If I act without enough proof, it sows distrust."

"Letting people under you get away with betrayal for so long sows distrust," I correct, joining him against the bar. Two scotches are placed in front of us, and as I pick up my glass, a flash of red catches my eye.

The crowd parts like a river. At the very end stands Alena. She's a gem in a sea of stone, a single star in a pitch-black sky, and she steals every breath from my body. I won't lie, I enjoyed kissing Melanie in front of her, enjoyed watching her squirm under my gaze and how red her face flushed with embarrassment. It's the closest I'll ever get, yet it's left me hungering for more.

She's forbidden and yet she consumes me.

"Is there distrust?" Aleksander sighs. "Perhaps."

"Waiting for so long may have given other smaller families the confidence to move against us. We need to nip this in the bud as quickly as possible." I keep my gaze moving as often as I can. The last thing I need is Aleksander getting any wind of my growing infatuation, but it's difficult. Every slight movement from Alena commands my attention.

I shouldn't want her.

Knowing that makes me want her more.

"I have several meetings set up in the coming weeks to help strengthen any ties you may feel are weakening," Aleksander says, and then he indicates to Alena, who, to my disgust, takes the hand of Mikhail Kuznetsov. He is a scumbag if his family is any indication.

"Alena will secure the biggest deal of them all."

My heart pounds just once, sharp and painful in my chest as Alena looks at me. Then she leads Mikhail away through the crowd, and I drown in a swarm of thoughts about what they could be getting up to. I'd follow immediately, but Aleksander's words suddenly sink in and I glance at him.

"What do you mean?"

"She is eighteen now." Aleksander smiles as he takes a large gulp of his drink. "Mara and I have long been discussing what this means and how she can best aid us."

As if summoned, the bitch melts through the crowd and appears by Aleksander's side. She slides one hand up his broad chest and kisses his weathered cheek as her jet-black hair cascades like a wave over her shoulder.

"There you are," she coos in a sweet voice that grates through me like nails on a chalkboard. "I introduced them. I think they might end up getting along."

"Who?"

"Alena and Mikhail, obviously," Mara snaps, her eyes narrowing at me. Realization is slow as Aleksander laughs deeply and pats my arm.

"Next year, when Alena turns nineteen, she will marry Mikhail. It's all arranged. The wedding would be sooner, but with what has just happened with the Petrovs and a few other business things, pushing it back seems like the best for now."

"You cannot be serious." The words escape me with little thought, and I push up from the bar as both Mara and Aleksander stare at me with wide eyes.

"Is there a problem?" Mara asks. The taunt in her voice is clear, and I can't help but rise to it this time.

"The Kuznetsovs are insane, and that's putting it lightly. You can't seriously be thinking of sending your daughter off to them?"

"Not thinking," Mara corrects. "It's a done deal."

"It's just business, my friend," Aleksander adds. "They have a foothold in the weapons trade that we cannot afford to lose. I have heard talk that they may be switching suppliers, and if that happens, I need to ensure that we stay at the forefront of that deal. Mara made an excellent point that rather than sweetening a deal for the Kuznetsovs, we simply make their deal our deal."

"By marrying their family into yours and taking control," I finish for him. Of course it was Mara's idea. It's not escaped me how cold and cruel Mara can be to Alena, and while I've called her out on it more than once, she continues to be a thorn I can't pluck.

"How does Alena feel?"

It's a loaded question. The Kuznetsovs are famed for their cruel and vicious treatment of everyone they come into contact with. Mostly ex-military, they secure the weapons for the Family but are also in charge of torture and interrogation when the need calls for it. More than that, they're cruel to their women too. Ana Kuznetsov hasn't been seen in years.

I wouldn't usually judge. In the bedroom, my own tastes run dark down the sadistic route, and I believe what happens behind closed doors should stay there, especially in a world like ours.

But Alena? In the hands of a Kuznetsov?

My stomach churns unexpectedly, and as Mara smiles coldly at me, I'm struck with the urge to slap the look right off her face.

"Alena does not know yet," Mara says, "but she ran off with Mikhail, so I don't believe she will mind."

"It is her duty." Aleksander drains his glass and gazes at me steadily, signaling that this is no longer up for discussion. "Alena knows this and she will do her duty without question. As do we all."

I drain my glass in one gulp and set it down hard on the counter.

"Indeed. If you will excuse me."

Aleksander nods, dismissing me, and his attention turns to Mara who drapes over him like a leech. I stride away before my distaste turns vocal.

The Kuznetsovs are useful, there's no denying that, and their control of the weapon shipments makes them valuable, but the thought of Alena ending up with them turns my stomach. She's too sweet and far too delicate to end up in the hands of a family so cruel.

And yet, deep down, I know that isn't the only reason. My own desire for Alena is growing quickly, and in the back of my mind, it's clear that if anyone is going to take Alena and subject her to the darkness in this world, then it should be me.

It has to be me.

I'm the only one who deserves her, the only one who would take her apart and put her back together with care.

My strides take me across the ballroom, and it's not until I reach the hallway that I realize where I'm going, fueled by a jealous concern.

Alena and Mikhail left together.

If he's touched her, I'll kill him.