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Whistling a small tune, I message Hannah to get me a fresh coffee. And this time, a bagel, too.
* * *
Sipping my drink,I go back to my desk and immediately pull up the multitude of recordings I plan to review before the end of the day. My eyes glance at the corner screen where Henry is being taken care of by Kris and his team. Watching for a moment, I frown. The violence doesn’t bother me, although I cringe as Kris tears out the last of Henry’s nails. No, what’s grating on me is that anyone would dare try to cross me.
Ever since I rose in the underground over a decade ago, I’ve fought to maintain a very specific persona that’s been integral to my success. Being a woman, much less a small and dainty one, I’ve had my work cut out for me since day one.
I smile thinking back to my first day. I had entered the boardroom to a room full of men, all of whom eyed me with obvious antipathy. Not letting this faze me, I began the meeting. It was about an hour in when an outburst from one of the members, who thought a ‘little girl’ shouldn’t be running their organization, that I was able to demonstrate my true colors.
At a click of my fingers, Kris and his team were in the room and on the man in seconds. After stripping him and pinning him naked to the boardroom table, I strutted across the room, speaking to the other members.
“And let me assure you, gentlemen,” I told them, “that I am willing to do whatever it takes.” I then proceeded to step onto the table in my stilettos, chopping off the offending member's dick with a dull knife before letting him bleed out on the quarterly reports.
After that, the board was mine.
Still, I’m tired of having to prove myself. It’s tiresome. Someone like Henry is truly insignificant and beneath me, but the fact that any of my subordinates would even consider treachery makes me worry. The fact that a lesser party like Henry would, even more so.
It always has to start with one.
I know the risks of running a business like this, but really, I was raised for this. Apathy is in my blood, and this market is profitable. Though some people may question why I chose this career path, for the few who know me, they know there was never any other option.
* * *
“Galina, move your fucking ass, kurva!”Father yelled from the shore, his breath coming out in smoky puffs in the frigid Shakhty air.
I walked toward him, keeping my back straight despite the anxiety coursing through me. My body was completely tense in an effort to keep from shivering. I had learned my lesson often enough to know that showing visible weakness was not an option.
“Come on, you know the fucking drill,” he grumbled as he began to pull his shirt off. My stomach revolted at the sight of his hairy chest, but I did as I was told until I stood at the edge with nothing but my underthings on. At least he gave me that modesty.
With no further preamble or direction, I dove into the ice-cold lake. Despite being used to the cold in general, the water cut through my skin like knives. My teeth clenched so hard, it was amazing they didn’t shatter. Regardless, I kept swimming.
Across the river and back again. A ritual to prove strength. One each of my brothers has long since completed. I am not immune and, now, it’s my turn. But where Father wanted them to succeed, I don’t doubt he would cheer if my head sank beneath the water.
The hated daughter, not the desired seventh son. Worse, the red hair proof of my mother’s infidelity….
* * *
“Ma’am?”Hanna’s voice drags my attention from the computer screen before me. With tired eyes, I look at the clock to see how late it is.
“Come in,” I reply, holding in a yawn as I hold out my hand for the reports I know are coming. Like the good assistant she is, Hanna rushes across the room to hand them to me before stepping back a respectful distance.
“Anything?” I ask as I flip through the Manila folder.
“Nothing today.” I nod, flipping the folder closed after I glance at the last page.
“That’s all tonight.” I wave Hanna off, waiting until she’s gone to bring two fingers to the bridge of my nose.
“What a fucking day,” I mutter as I pull a bottle from my desk.
Chapter 2
Ginger
Kris walks in,my brow rising when I see the cast wrapped around his arm that wasn’t there yesterday. His blonde hair is cut short, and his face has a slight look of pallor from what was a night lacking sleep. I know he was working on new acquisitions, though I’ll never understand why he doesn’t send others to do that.
Then again, I suppose I also get involved with a lot of the nitty gritty I don’t necessarily need to. Both of us have difficulties delegating, which considering our histories isn’t surprising. It’s hard to trust anyone else to get shit done when they fuck it up every time.
“Tough night?” I ask, nodding at his arm.
