I’d seen the way Marisha looked at him; there was no way she would ever turn on him. And in truth, I wouldn’t want her too. He loved her, that much was evident. But still, a debt was owed from the encounter with Victoria and I had to make him pay in some way. The thought made me smile, and my smile made Alex laugh again.
One of our soldiers, Kozlov, was waiting at a double door that led towards the convention rooms. He stared at us but didn’t make a move to intervene. Some of the newer guys might have, not that Eduard allowed newer recruits to come on a vacation like this and provide protection. Only the most trusted were here, the ones that would die to protect our Bratva royalty.
Kozlov opened the door as we approached, greeting Alexander and giving me a cursory nod. That’s how it always was. I was used to it. At least, Iusedto be accustomed to it, and fine with the different way I was treated. But now that Alex was no longer my constant companion, I felt the varied attitude towards me more keenly.
The de facto adopted son of the Vasilievs. Loyal soldier father dead, a legendary mother, given respect because of the place I’d been gifted in the family.
But I was still not on par with Alexander and Katya. Still not as important, not as good. And I never would be.
I accepted that. I always had, always would.
Only now, it was slightly harder to swallow.
A feminine voice sounded behind us before the door had fully closed. I spied her past Kozlov’s shoulder. Katya was wearing a cobalt blue sundress that fell to the floor but had hip-high slits on either side so her tanned, toned legs peeked out constantly. The bosom was sliced down to the navel and holding in her breasts by some invention of goddamn magic.
Her gaze caught mine at the last second and I could swear I saw wistful need written across her face.
*
“Lebedev reports that they’ve cleared out a cell of would-be betrayers. The Italians are at the heart of it. Ivan was feeding them intel and only doing the deal with us to win them over to his side. He’d have sabotaged it halfway. We’d have lost millions.” Eduard was speaking calmly, his face serene, as if the idea of being betrayed by his own people meant very little to him.
But I knew better, and so did Alexander.
Each betrayal was a knife in Eduard’s heart, but he would not let the world see his true feelings. The Bratva King was made of thicker stuff.
When Eduard fell silent, Alexander stepped forward, nodding at Decatur. He’d traveled with us as far as the main island, and then had been sent back once we’d gotten word that the Italians were definitely involved. Decatur had proven his metal and was trusted to go back and lead the hunt, plus his cover hadn’t been completely blown since Ivan hadn’t lived to tell the tale of his double agency. He was able to sink again into the ranks of the Italians and hear things that no one else could.
But now we had pulled Decatur back, fully into the fold. He had served loyally, and without reservation, and his reward was due. We did not want him to be discovered whilst in the lair of the beast.
“Decatur is given the rank of Brigadier. He’ll build a crew to control the area corrupted by Ivan’s greed and treachery. We have given him the freedom to pull men from all areas of our organization, save for our personal security.”
The men around the room nodded their heads and murmured appreciatively. Decatur, for his part, stood stoically until Alexander was done speaking.
He turned to his future King, bowing his head. “Thank you for giving me your trust. I will not fail you.”
“I know you will not, Decatur. You have not failed me yet.” Privately, I knew that Decatur had emphatically apologized for having to spy on Alexander and Marisha to keep up the ruse with Ivan. Alex, of course, had fully understood and joked to me afterwards about wishing he’d acquired all of the footage of him and Marisha. He was sure it was… good stuff.
The family meeting went as most meetings went, for an insanely long time until the day had faded away into shadows. There was talk of hunting down any remaining disloyal bastards. Of cleansing their seed, the women and the children. And of moving forward with the family business.
Because at the heart of things was loyalty, blood, and money.
I was surprised, though, how Alex wanted to soften the punishment towards the families of the betrayers. Perhaps Marisha’s history gave him pause.
Yet, a son left to avenge a murdered father made for a miserable, bloody future.
After everyone was dismissed, Eduard remained at the head table in the small, yet lush space.
“Alexander, your mother would like to invite Marisha to go shopping on the mainland. Not tomorrow, as Katya is busy, but the next day. I thought we should all go. She has it in her head to drag the women to a bridal shop, so we must visit my tailor Ma’afu. There is no other man that can cut a suit the way he does.”
“Father, we’ve not yet set a date. Mother is getting ahead of herself.” Alexander spoke good-heartedly, his love for his mother permeating every word.
“Your mother is anxious to see you married, my son. And you know how she feels over grandchildren.” The older man’s eyes glinted, and he smiled warmly. “I too am waiting to hear the patter of small feet around our home. So, humor us.”
“Not even married, and you’ve already got him several kids deep and driving a minivan.” I walked forward, tilting my head and appraising Eduard. I did not tease him often, but I could get away with it sometimes, because he treated me like kin.
“Yes, my almost adopted son.” Eduard stood and walked around the table, crossing his arms to lean against it. “It is not only mini–Alexanders I wish to see running about my house. Evelina and your mother are already talking over potential brides for you as well.”
I sputtered, but before I could speak, or better yet turn tail and run, he continued.
