He just waves his hand dismissively.
I jump up and make my way to his side. I give him a light kiss on the cheek, choking on the smell of cigarettes, and scurry out of the room.
Only once I’m back in my bedroom with Vova can I breathe again.
Sergey’s coming tomorrow.
I need to mentally prepare.
Chapter 2
Dominic
Stefan steps into my office with a loose grin.
“Hey, Dom, what’s up?” my second in command asks.
“Shut the door, Stefan.” I can’t have anyone overhearing this conversation.
His smile drops as he turns to close the door.
“So, this isn’t a good meeting. What’s wrong?” His easy grin drops as he takes a seat across from me.
“I have a solution to the Bratva war,” I say grimly.
“Then why do you look so stressed?” Stefan’s usual jovial nature dissolves into worry. It’s an unsettling thing to see. Even in battle and on missions, even when being fired at, Stefan still cracks jokes.
My lips are barely tilted at the sides, the only indication that something is amiss, yet Stefan catches it. He’s my oldest friend, my second in command, the only one I trust fully. He can read me better than anyone, and I’m still able to hide much from him. But not this. I’m too distraught to care.
“Because I don’t like the solution.” I sigh and rub a hand over my face. I take a deep breath and spit it out. “I’m going to suggest a marriage alliance between the Bratva and the Syndicate.”
Stefan’s eyes widen as he absorbs the information. He’s so shocked, he’s speechless at the news.
“And who’s going to get married?” he demands. “Dom, I love the Syndicate, but I’m not wedding some Russian scum just to end this war. I’d rather just slay them all and be done with it.” He looks truly ill at the prospect.
His green pallor reflects what I’m feeling inside.
“I am,” I say firmly. I won’t have one of my men suffer when it’s something I can do. When it’s a sacrifice I can make for my family.
“Dom… I know how important ending this war is, but this is not the way to do it.” His grip tightens on his chair.
“I will not have any of my men die over my brother’s mistake. This is not up for debate.” My voice steels. I won’t have anyone questioning me.
Instead of shrinking back and heeding my words, Stefan looks me in the eyes.
“No. You’ve sworn off marriage. Fuck, you’ve sworn off women. Do you even remember the last time you spoke to a woman you’re not related to? A woman you were interested in?” He says it as though the thought of me with a woman is ludicrous.
I don’t blame him. I haven’t involved myself with any woman since my twenties. Once I took over the Syndicate and realized all the lives that are in my hands, my priorities rearranged, and woman didn’t make the cut. I don’t have time for the frivolity of that kind of company. And I can’t risk being betrayed by one.
“This is simply business. The woman can do whatever she wants. I’ll stay out of her way, and she’ll stay out of mine. I have no interest in romance and intimacy. I don’t have that luxury. This is what must be done.” My stomach clenches at the idea of a woman in my space. I’ll put her on the other end of my house and leave her alone. We’ll live separate lives and not interact. I think that’s the best way to go about it.
“What makes you think this can work? What woman would want that life?” Straightening in his chair, he questions me further.
“It works for the Irish!” I argue. “They have marriage alliances constantly. They have no issue with it.” I take a breath. “What woman wouldn’t want a life of wealth, with the only stipulation being my wife? I know… I know I’m not made to be a husband, but I wouldn’t stop her from being with other men. All I’d need is for her to remain by my side in the public eye to uphold this alliance.”
I’ve mulled over this for days and come to the conclusion that giving her complete freedom in the confines of the Syndicate is the only fair thing to do.
“Yeah, but they have real marriages from them. They don’t just avoid their wives.” Stefan throws his hands in the air. “Who are you even going to marry?”
