Yulian looks at me, dumbstruck. “You can’t be serious about that.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s… it’s the Ivanovs!” he says, like I’d forgotten. “They’ve been around longer than us. Roots matter.”
“Fuck roots. I can build my empire just fine without the Ivanovs’ help.”
“Then your empire is going to have an immediate and powerful rival.” He’s looking at me as though he doesn’t know who I am anymore.
I shrug. “I’m not one to shy away from a challenge.”
“He’s your father-in-law,” Yulian points out quietly.
“I’m not so sure the term still applies. Not now that his daughter is six feet under.”
Yulian winces. His eyes sweep over me watchfully and then he sighs. “You know, it doesn’t help your case, speaking like that.”
“I didn’t realize there was a case that needed to be made, brother.”
Yulian shakes his head. “I know you think I’m naïve. But if you’re not aware that every single person coming tonight is going to be watching you, then you’re even more naïve than I am.”
“Your point?”
“You need to talk about Marina like you cared about her.”
I give my brother a disgruntled look. “Jesus, Yulian. That’s your advice?”
“If you walk around pretending like her death doesn’t matter, then what do you think they’ll assume? What do you think Rodion will assume?”
“Exactly what he’s already thinking, no doubt,” I scoff.
“If you provoke him, he’ll rescind his offer to smooth things over.”
“I’ve already told you that I don’t want his Bratva. If he hands it over, I’ll take it. If he resists, then it’s no skin off my nose. I’ll take it in that case, too. Eventually.”
“This is not what Papa wanted.”
“Fuck Otets,” I say sharply.
Yulian turns to me, mouth agape. Any word against our father is a deep insult to my brother, but it needs to be said. I add, “The old man was a fool to get mixed up with the Ivanovs.”
“That’s not why you’re mad at him, though.”
“What are you today?” I demand. “A shrink?”
He doesn’t back down, even as my anger starts to bubble over. “You resent the fact that he arranged your marriage to Marina.”
I grit my teeth. “He should have known better.”
“He thought you’d be happy.”
“No, he didn’t give a fuck about my happiness. He was only thinking about his legacy. His goddamn empire. I told him early on that it wouldn’t work between us. Marina was beautiful and an Ivanov, but that was the extent of her appeal. It was enough for Otets. Not for me.”
Yulian throws up his hands in frustration and pivots angrily towards the door.
“You’re storming out now? Still trying to defend our father’s honor?” I taunt.
He turns back to face me. “The only reason you’re resisting this union is because it’s what Papa wanted. I think you’re being stubborn just to stick it to him. And you’re going to regret it.”