“Da, glad to meet,” Mikhail says, looking at me.
Mikhail looks at us with confidence and openness, and that’s good. We don’t want our Brigadier to be afraid of us, especially if we’re Brats.
“Mikhail, have a seat,” Czar says, walking over to take a seat.
“Mikhail. We’re short on time, so let’s get to what the meeting is about,” Lev says, sitting on the chair up straight.
“Da,” Mikhail says, grasping the armrests.
“We’ve reviewed everything about you. We need to know why you’ve been working in Bratva as Mikhail Popov, especially since your full name is Mikhail Popov Kravtsov. We need an explanation,” Pakhan asks.
“Da, that’s correct. I’m Mikhail Popov Kravtsov. I wanted to get into Bratva, and using Popov was easier to do so,” Mikhail says, looking at us.
“Mikhail, so you’re Kravtsov,” Pakhan asks, raising his brow.
“Da, I have the DNA to prove it,” Mikhail utters.
“Then why the fucking deceit,” Pakhan asks, staring at him.
“Pakhan, I didn’t want to deceive you, but my Mamma didn’t want Otets to learn of me; she was afraid for my safety. But as I got older, she told me, and I wanted to get near Otets, so I started working for Balakin,” Mikhail says seriously.
“So, you were aware of Balakin’s plan to do the coup,” Pakhan hisses, leaning forward.
“Nyet, no one in Bratva knew except for the two guards that were always at Balakin’s side. Volkov didn’t’ know,” Mikhail says, stone-faced.
Mikhail looks at us, and I don’t see any devious plan. He does have the same cobalt blue eyes, dark hair, height, and athletic body as Otets.
“Da, I terminated the svoloch and his guards,” Pakhan hisses, lowering his eyelids.
“Da, Otets was avenged, and you’re now Pakhan,” Mikhail growls, nodding.
“Mikhail, I’m going to take your word, and I want to talk to your Mama,” Pakhan says, nodding.
“Thank you for trusting my word; it means the world to me. I know that Mamma would be happy to talk to you,” Mikhail says.
“We’ve been reviewing all of your work, looked into all of your background, and we’re pleased. You’ve increased the bottom line. You’re doing a great job with all of Bratva’s business. So,you deserve the promotion; I’m making you Brigadier, Pakhan says, rubbing his beard.
“Thanks,” Mikhail says, lifting his chin.
“You’re now the new Brigadier, and I want you to report directly to me and work closely with us. Anatoly is going to set up a meeting with the Cartel Oro, and I want you to attend this meeting along with Anatoly,” Pakhan says, raising a brow.
“Thank you, Pakhan; I’m honored to be the new Brigadier, and I’m here for anything. Yes, I will work with Anatoly on this Cartel meeting,” Mikhail says, nodding.
“Great,” Pakhan says.
We exit the Broadway theater, and I look at my Soldiers, lifting my chin. They’re here, guarding Gigi and me. I’ll be damned if I give the Cartel the opportunity to take what’s mine. I still don’t know who her Dad is, but I will soon. I’m going to have to talk to Fuentes after the meeting.
Da, that works.
We walk around the cars, heading to my black Range Rover parked in the corner, my private parking spot.
“Baby, did you enjoy Romeo and Juliet?”
“Oh my, it was terrific. I never dreamed of seeing the play Romeo and Juliet. Their story is such an amazing love story. There was so much heartache and forbidden love, and their death was so tragic. Thank you for taking me to see the play onBroadway; now I can check it off on my bucket list,” Gigi grins, leaning into me.
“Da, Baby. I plan on helping you check off everything on your bucket list, especially the naughty bucket list,” I growl, pulling closer.
I swing her around in the parking lot next to my car and kiss her hard, with hunger that never ceases, and it’s only getting stronger. I thought it would lessen, but I was wrong. I know now that I’m not ever letting her go.
