Page 46 of Savage Truce

But dammit, I completely forgot about the wedding dress.

Pulling my phone out, I dial Tamara’s number.

“Hi, Mr. Volkov,” she answers. “What can I do for you?”

“I need wedding dresses.”

A gasp comes over the line. “The bride doesn’t have a dress?”

“No. How fast can you arrange a viewing here at my estate?”

“Oh… Uhm, I’ll need a couple of days.”

“You have until Monday.”

“Thank you.”

I end the call, and entering the kitchen, I let out a sigh before glancing at my family members who are all looking at me with grins plastered on their faces.

Dad gets up and comes closer. “Is everything better now?”

“Yes. Andrei and I finally got all the rogue groups under control, and Yegor’s associates are waiting for the wedding.” I grab a glass from a cupboard and pour myself some freshly squeezed orange juice.

“So the men killed Yelena?” Aunt Marina asks. When I nod, she shakes her head. “I never liked the woman, but that’s no way for a Bratva princess to die. You must tell your men to leave the women alone.”

Uncle Ruznik always allowed Aunt Marina to give her two cents regarding the Bratva, but it’s never sat well with me.

Tilting my head, I lock eyes with her. She already starts to bristle before I say, “Who made you the pakhan?”

Her expression instantly turns apologetic.

“I’ll decide how my men are handled and what orders they’re given. You don’t interfere in Bratva matters, and you sure as fuck don’t tell me what to do. Are we clear?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“Rodian,” Mom whispers.

My eyes snap to my mother, and I shake my head. “Don’t. I love you both, but being my family doesn’t give either of you the right to interfere with the Bratva. Uncle Ruznik might’ve allowed it, but I won’t.”

I down the orange juice and set the glass down in the sink. When I turn around, I change the subject and ask, “What do you think of Anastasia?”

Mom instantly smiles. “She’s beautiful.”

Dad comes to pat my shoulder and mutters, “As long as she makes you happy, I’m happy.” With that being said, he leaves the kitchen to check on the garden that’s his hobby.

“She looked terrified of us,” Aunt Marina mentions. “And the bruises…” She gives me a worried expression. “Is she recovering okay?”

“Dr. Kravets is very happy with the progress Anastasia has made. Physically, she’s healing fast, and she’s regained some of her weight. The mental side will take longer, but I have faith she’ll get through this.” I exhale a sigh. “Just be patient with her. She gets overwhelmed quickly.”

Both women nod, and just as Mom wants to say something, my phone rings.

I pull the device out, and seeing it’s Oleg Sokolov, I nod at the women before leaving the kitchen.

“Volkov,” I answer.

“Yegor fed you your entire life, and you repaid him by killing him and his family. You have no loyalty,” the old man’s voice rumbles over the line, filled with disgust and rage. “I heard you had your men rape and slaughter the women.” It sounds like he spits. “And now you plan to force Yegor’s beloved granddaughter into marriage. I won’t allow it.”