"You think destroying this alliance will help you find her?" Father continued. "No, you'll only make yourself and her more dangerous. Salvatore now has Ivanov's support—he'll be more reckless. And once they discover your woman, she'll become the perfect weapon against you. Are you planning to start a war?"
"Perfect. I'm tired of waiting." I said. "As the future Bratva Don, I shouldn't marry a woman I don't love. And the Bratva shouldn't fear war."
I pulled a document from my jacket, throwing it on the coffee table. The heavy parchment slid across the surface, stopping in front of him.
"This is an abdication agreement. Sign it, and you can retire with dignity. Your estate, security, income—everything stays the same. If you don't sign—"
I didn't finish.
Father stared at the document for a long time, so long it felt like time had stopped.
"You planned this all along." He finally spoke.
"Yes. I've been preparing for three months."
These three months, I'd secretly rallied men willing to follow me. My power was strong enough to force Father's voluntary abdication. This was the most dignified way. He wouldn't want to see Bratva civil war and bloodshed.
"For a woman?" He seemed unable to believe it.
"For my everything." I corrected him.
Father slowly picked up the document and pen, his hand trembling slightly. Finally, he signed his name.
"You think you've won?" He threw the pen on the table. "Igor, you don't understand what sitting in this position means."
"Then let me learn," I said.
He sighed and turned to leave, the door closing again.
I stood alone in the living room, looking at the document on the table. Now, no one could stop me from finding Elena.
Another month passed,and I realized that even becoming Don couldn't immediately help me find Elena.
"Italy."
I was in my office, hearing from Artyom the news I least wanted to hear.
"What do you mean, Italy?" A bad feeling flashed through my mind as I demanded.
"Our last lead points to Kennedy Airport. She didn't board under her own name. But after tracking, we discovered she ultimately went to Italy." Artyom answered.
"Fuck!" I slammed my fist on the desk. "She's in fucking Sicily?"
"We believe so." Artyom cautiously stepped back. "Don, we can't just go there."
I understood Artyom's meaning. That was Italy, Salvatore's territory. If we sent armed personnel into his domain, we'd be deliberately starting a war.
I stared at him, my chest heaving violently. My foundation wasn't stable yet—some family members didn't fully submit to me. If I started a war now, I might not escape Salvatore unscathed, and the guys following me could die because of it.
I closed my eyes, feeling familiar, helpless dizziness. I'd become Don, I had everything, yet I was more powerless than ever.
"Fine." I opened my eyes, all fury cooled to icy determination. "Then we continue consolidating our power. Spread ournetwork into every corner of Europe, strong enough that Salvatore won't dare fight us. Logistics, tech—I don't care what it is, anything that expands our influence, do it. I want our territory doubled within a year."
"Don, that's too fast..."
"Then make it faster." I cut off Artyom. "I don't have time. Now get out!"
Artyom bowed and left the office. I was alone again. I walked to the liquor cabinet, poured vodka. The cold liquid burned down my throat but didn't ease the fire inside. Elena was in Italy, on Salvatore's untouchable territory.
