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Once settled, Ivan directs the driver to get started.
“Where are we going?” I ask curiously.
“You’ll see, you’ll see. How about we pop some champagne first?”
“I really shouldn’t, brother,” I say out loud, leaving little room for argument. “I have a ton of work to catch up on tomorrow.”
“Nonsense! A man only turns 36 once!” Ivan ignores me and hands me a glass. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off my lingering anxiety as Ivan raises his glass for a toast.
"Here's to Boris—the man who never ceases to amaze us with his dedication and hard work," he says, his voice full of pride. "It's time you had a break, cousin. You’ve been doing far too good a job. The new trucking routes you discovered have been a massive success. Not a single shipment has been circumvented! Now, sit back and enjoy your birthday. I insist."
"Thank you, Ivan," I reply, clinking glasses with him and downing the glass in one swift motion. I'm touched by his kindwords, but it only strengthens my resolve to keep the business problem a secret. I won't let him down. I'll handle it myself, no matter what it takes.
Soon after, we arrive at a club of some sort, where my brothers Damien and Lev, along with our cousins Mikhail and Sergei, are waiting to continue the celebration. The bass thumps through the walls, matching the beat of my racing heart.
"Happy birthday, brother!" Damien calls out, his eyes bright and welcoming. I notice him standing slightly apart from the others, lost in thought between sips of his drink.
"Thanks, Damien," I say, clapping him on the back. He is the most levelheaded of all my siblings, always thinking things through before diving in headfirst.
"Happy birthday, Boris!" Mikhail and Sergei chime in, raising their glasses in a toast. The camaraderie of our family warms me, and for a moment, I allow myself to forget the looming threat to our empire.
"Thank you, everyone," I say, forcing a smile as the music pulses around us. I should be happy—it's my birthday, after all—but the thought of what could happen if I don't fix this situation nags at me like a splinter in my mind. I look around, trying to see where Lev, the cause of my distress, has gone.
After scanning the club, I locate him sitting on a couch. He’s got a wide grin on his lips as two women dressed in nothing but their underwear give him a lap dance. One of the women bends over him, and Lev’s eyes meet mine for a split second, a mischievous glint dancing in them as he proceeds to smack her ass.
I watch Lev's antics with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. Despite the chaos that could unravel our business, there he is, reveling in the attention of the women gyrating around him. It's moments like these that remind me of ourfundamental differences—his carefree nature versus my sense of responsibility. Damien notices my gaze and follows it, his expression turning slightly disapproving as he takes in the scene.
"Boris, don't let him get to you," Damien says, his voice low as he leans closer. "Lev’s Lev. You know that.”
"Come on, Boris!" Lev calls out, beckoning me over to join them. "It's your birthday! Let loose for once!"
I shake my head at him and turn away. A few moments later, I find an arm draped around my neck. “What’s got your panties in a twist?” Lev asks.
I turn and glower at him. My frustration over the business situation mixes with irritation at my brother's carelessness. Suddenly, I can't hold back any longer. “You. You’ve caused such a mess that I forgot it’s my birthday. Do you even care to think of anyone but yourself?”
“Hey!” Lev protests, looking upset. “I said I was sorry, didn’t I? Look, if it’s that whole investor thing—” he shouts out loud over the music, but Damien stops him.
“Not here, Lev. Ivan and the others can’t find out.”
“Well, Boris brought it up first,” Lev shrugs.
I grit my teeth. “You’re right,” I whisper in Lev’s ear. “I shouldn’t have brought it up. Not here, not tonight. Not ever. Because no matter what I advise you to do, you go and do the exact opposite.”
“Oh, cry me a river,” Lev antagonizes.
"Enough!" Damien interjects, stepping between us. He places a hand on each of our chests, pushing us apart. "Boris, I understand your concern, but you're letting your emotions get the better of you right now. Lev, I know you didn't mean for it to happen, but you need to be more careful."
"Thank you, Damien," Lev mutters, shooting me a glare.
"Listen, both of you," Damien continues, his voice calm and logical. "We're here to celebrate Boris's birthday, not argue about past mistakes. Let's put this behind us and have a good time."
I take a deep breath, trying to heed Damien’s words. As much as Lev annoys me with his antics, he's still my brother, and I don't want our bond to suffer because of one mistake.
"Fine," I say reluctantly. Lev nods in agreement.
As we rejoin our cousins and immerse ourselves in the festivities, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. My mind keeps drifting back to the business issue, wondering how to handle it. But for now, I push those thoughts aside and focus on my family—the people I'm fighting so hard to build a better future for.
As the night wears on, I find myself increasingly eager for a respite from the bustle of the club. The pounding music and strobe lights offer little comfort to my troubled mind, and I long for a quiet moment alone. It's then that Ivan appears at my side, a sly grin playing on his lips.
