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He gives us a slow, calculating perusal—the sign of a man who makes all his decisions with his head, not his heart. “It’s the way of the world, Alyona,” he adds with a heavy sigh. “But I do have a counteroffer. If this is the man you want to be with, it will be on my terms.” He addresses me now. “Come and work for me.”
My eyes track to my brother, and Andrei gives me a small nod of approval before I continue. “No,” I say simply. “That’s not happening. I’m cutting ties with all organized crime. For Aly. For us to be together. You may not be bratva, but you play in the same underworld.”
“You seem to think it’s a choice,” he spits.
“It is a choice. Her choice,” I roar. "And I'll do whatever it takes to secure Aly's freedom. What I should have done from the start. But we won't be joining you, Belov. Kill me if you must to make your point, but it will only drive your daughter away and deepen her hatred for you."
Aly’s eyes are wide with alarm, but she needs to know I won’t back down. I wasn’t able to stand up to my father, but I sure as hell will stand up to hers. Even if right now he is bristling with the intensity of a bull in the ring ready to charge.
Andrei steps forward in an attempt to diffuse the situation. “Let Aly go, and I can offer you a partnership, an alliance,” he says, his voice carrying through the silent room. “Your power is concentrated in Europe, but we have the East Coast of North America—the most valuable American market—locked down. Working together will benefit you financially and in other ways.”
If there is a shred of humanity left in Belov, he has yet to show it. His laugh is chilling, as he starts a slow walk around the room. As if summoned, his men filter back into the space, making it feel all the more suffocating.
“More money, more power, that means nothing to me,” he says with a dismissive wave of his hand. He comes to stop in front of Aly and me, his face hard as granite. “While I applaud your loyalty to my daughter, I require an heir, a blood relation to lead by my side. And make no mistake”—his mouth settles into a hard line as he tilts his head towards Aly—“you may not want this, but you will learn to be a leader. As my daughter, it’s in your blood. Are you willing to walk away from our agreement, Alyona?”
There’s an underlying threat to his words, and the irony isn’t lost on me. My father would have killed her, and now Belov is threatening the same to me.
“Maxim, please,” Alyona begs, releasing a tight breath. “Don’t do this.” The anguish and despair in her voice is so palpable it tears at my soul. But I’ve had enough of this khuy and his veiled threats.
Despite the fact that we are surrounded by his men, I step forward, ready to fight, not with weapons, but man to man. The air thickens around us at my implied challenge.
“Stop, Leo.” Kira’s voice cuts through the air, halting my movement. She strides past me and positions herself directly in front of Belov, who peers down at her with barely contained interest. “You want an heir, you want someone to rule by your side…” The room takes a collective breath. “Then take me. I will marry you. I will become your wife and lead by your side but let Alyona go.”
My head shoots up, shock blasting through me.
“Kira, no!” Aly nearly jumps out of her skin, but Kira holds up her hand, continuing to face-off with Belov. I don’t like how he looks at my sister, his eyes roam over her body like a wolf eyes his next meal.
“Now, why would you want to do that?” he questions, the edges of his lips tipped up into a grin.
She holds her chin high. Even with her back to us, it’s clear she’s not intimidated—or if she is, she hides it well. “Because I want to be in power. I was born to rule. Even if I despised my father, royalty is in my blood, it’s my fate. This will be nothing more than a business arrangement. No romantic entanglements, nothing that could get messy.” She pauses for effect. “And I will give you heirs if that’s what you want.”
Belov’s jaw is tight, his hands clenched by his side. Even holding stock-still, I can tell Kira’s offer piqued his interest. He’s considering it carefully.
Aly tenses, as if she’s about to jump into the fray, but I stop her with a hand on her forearm. Whatever is happening now needs to play itself out. And while I have no idea what Kira’s endgame is, I am sure she has one. Because one thing about my sister—she is crafty and cunning.
I expect Belov to dismiss her, but he doesn’t. Instead, his eyes seek out Alyona’s. “What do you have to say on the matter?”
A scowl etches across her face. “I’d like to speak to my friend alone. Without you and your guards breathing down our necks.”
“You have five minutes.” With a sweep of his arms, Belov and his men clear out of the room.
Kira turns around to face us—her three brothers and her best friend—looking every inch the bratva princess she claims to be.
“Are you crazy!? I won’t let you do this,” Alyona explodes, stomping her foot. “You can’t bear him a child, you’re twenty-three and hate him! I won’t allow you to sacrifice your happiness for mine.”
“You’re notallowingme to do anything,” Kira says gently, grabbing Aly’s hand. “It’s my choice.”
“Sestra, it means the world that you offer yourself like this,” I echo, emotion building in my chest for my sister’s selflessness, “but there is another way.”
“Leo is right,” Andrei says. “I can’t stand the thought of you tying yourself to that monster for the rest of your life. We’ll figure something out.”
“I don’t get it.” Alyona shakes her head. “You hate him. You hate him more than I do!”
“Oh, I hate him, alright.” Kira sighs. “But he’s a means to an end.”
“To what end?” I ask, genuinely confused. “Money and power we have… what could he possibly give you?”
She rubs her temples, her face a mask of weariness. “Trust that I have my reasons. I can’t tell you what those reasons are right now, but I’m going into this with my eyes wide open.”
