Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80602 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Vlad stares down at me with what seems like condescension mixed with bemusement. “I’m sure you will.”
“You bet I will, so don’t stand there telling me no.”
“I meant no, as in Sergei won’t force her into this.”
“How would you know if neither you nor I are there, huh?”
“You are not allowed to weaken the boss, miss.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I throw a dismissive hand up at his stern tone. He reminds me of that fact every day.
He remains silent for a second, and I think he’ll fight me tooth and nail on this, but then he asks in a contemplative tone, “How about you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Get married.”
“Get what?”
“You’re older—you can take a husband.”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“This is, in fact, a perfectly sane solution. The only way to protect Anastasia and to continue ruling is to get married.”
“You think I haven’t thought about that? But any husband within the brotherhood will make me into his obedient tool. I would rather die first.”
“What if you can make him your obedient tool?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t take a husband to rule for you. Take a puppet you can rule through.”
“And you think such a man exists in the brotherhood? Every last one of them is hungry for power.”
“There are those who, like you, have other people ruling in the background on their behalf. You can just take that position.”
Oh. I have heard stories about that, but I always thought they were myths.
“And how would I be sure such men exist?”
“They do. I’ve encountered a few, and that’s how I came up with this plan.”
“I like the way you think, Vlad.”
He grunts and I smile. Even though he’s a little rough around the edges—okay, a lot—Vlad has my best interests in mind. If we can find someone who fits the criteria, then this can solve Ana’s problems and mine. I can push my puppet husband to the top and then, not only will I preserve my grandfather’s legacy, I will also protect Anastasia from any barbaric wedding.
“Any candidates in mind?” I ask Vlad with a coy smile.
“I will look into it and bring you complete files.”
I grab his chin with my thumb and forefinger. “Have I told you lately that you’re the best?”
“More than enough.” He pushes back, muttering under his breath, “Americans and their need to touch.”
“I heard that, and I’m as much of a Russian as you are, Vlad.”
His face remains the same. “If you go inside, it’s to tell Sergei you’re available for marriage.”
I am.
Am I, though?
I release a deep breath as memories of sinister blue eyes invade my head. At times, they’re the best part of a dream, and at others, they’re the most horrifying thing in a nightmare, the one thing that jolts me awake in the middle of the night, sweating, shivering, and shaking.
No. I’m over that bastard.
He betrayed me first. Now, it’s my turn.
3
Rai
I push the dining room door open and go inside with my head held high just as Dedushka taught me.
It’s easy to be intimidated by the leaders of the elite group. Most of them, Granduncle included, have served time in jail. While that’s disgraceful in the outside world, it’s a stamp of honor for any member of the Vory.
Granduncle Sergei sits at the head of the table. He’s old, in his sixties. His once-blond hair is now completely white and washed by time. While cancer has made him look older, it didn’t take his hair away, probably because of his stubbornness about refusing to undergo chemotherapy. I try not to glare at him now that I know he’s trying to ship Anastasia off to one of these ruthless men who will eat her alive.
Vlad leaves my side and sits on Granduncle’s right, which is his position as the Sovietnik. On his left sits Adrian, the Obshchak. He holds the same level of power as Vlad, but instead of coordinating between the brigadiers and the Pakhan, Adrian holds a more critical role that entails securing the brotherhood. He knows the right people to bribe and has a line of intelligence that rivals the CIA, probably because he has big connections within the Mossad itself.
Despite being in his mid-thirties, Adrian has been around since Dedushka’s time and played his role without fail. He keeps his cards close, and he’s the most private out of the elite group. That’s why I feel like I should always be wary of him.
The fact that he showed up at this meeting means it is important. Adrian rarely attends gatherings or invites anyone to his house, but he always got a free pass from Dedushka and Granduncle because of his crucial role. In short, no one wants to get on Adrian’s bad side, because those who do? Yeah, no one knows where the heck they disappear to.
He’s silent to a fault, too, and only speaks when he absolutely has to, which is when the boss addresses him. Adrian is loyal to the Vory, but that’s the only thing he’s loyal to. He wouldn’t hesitate to crush me if we somehow ended up on different sides of a battle.