No one moves. No one speaks. This was supposed to be a blood-free zone. It was supposed to be safe. But I don't give a damn. I need to make a point, and I think doing that here and now does that perfectly.
I holster my weapon and look around the table, meeting each man's gaze in turn. "That's what happens to anyone who threatens what's mine. I don't care if you're a Pakhan or a foot soldier. I don't care if you've been in this life for fifty years or five. Touch my wife, and you die."
The message is clear. Brutal, but clear.
One by one, the men nod their understanding. Some look angry, others wary, but they all agree. They have to. I just proved I'm willing to kill a Pakhan in front of witnesses to protect Mariya.
"Good." I sit back down, ignoring the body being dragged from the room. "Then we're done here."
The meeting breaks up quickly after that. The Pakhans file out with their guards, most avoiding eye contact.
"That went well," one of my captains says dryly once we're in the SUV.
"It went exactly as I expected." I lean back against the seat, my pulse finally slowing. "Some of them will respect the boundary. Others will test it eventually."
"And when they do?"
"We kill them." Simple. Final.
The drive back to the estate is quiet. I stare out the window, watching the city pass by, my mind already moving to the next problem. Killing Pavel sends a message, but it also creates enemies. His family will want revenge, even if they're too smart to act on it immediately.
But that's a problem for another day.
When we pull through the gates, I see Mariya waiting on the front steps. She's wearing jeans and one of my shirts, her dark hair loose around her shoulders. The sight of her eases something tight in my chest.
I dismiss the guards and walk to her, pulling her into my arms. She fits perfectly against me, her body warm and soft.
"How did it go?" she asks quietly.
"It's handled." I kiss the top of her head. "They know you're off limits."
She pulls back slightly, her dark eyes searching my face. "Did you have to hurt anyone?"
I consider lying, but Mariya deserves the truth. "I killed a Pakhan who was asking questions about you."
Her breath catches, but she doesn't pull away. "Will there be retaliation?"
"Maybe. But not against you." I cup her face in my hands. "I won't let anyone touch you, Mariya. No matter what it costs."
She rises on her toes and kisses me, soft and sweet. "I know."
I deepen the kiss, my hands sliding down to grip her ass and pull her flush against me. She gasps into my mouth, her fingers tangling in my hair. The need that's been simmering all day finally breaks free.
"Inside," I growl against her lips.
We barely make it to the bedroom. I kick the door shut behind us and pin her against it, my mouth claiming hers with bruising intensity. Her hands work at my shirt, fumbling with buttons until I tear it open myself, sending them scattering across the floor.
"Andrey," she breathes, her nails raking down my chest.
I lift her easily, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the bed. She's already pulling at my belt, desperate and needy, and fuck if that doesn't make my cock throb.
I strip her quickly, tossing her clothes aside until she's naked beneath me. Her breasts are full and perfect, nipples already hard. I take one in my mouth, sucking hard enough to make her arch off the bed.
"Please," she moans, her hips rocking against me.
I slide my hand between her thighs and find her soaked. "So wet for me already."
"Always," she gasps.
