“How did you escape when you were a boy?” Mira asks, compassion filling her eyes.
“Leif saved me.”
She looks at Leif in disbelief and shakes her head. “How could you keep this secret from us?”
“It was for his safety.” Leif clenches his jaw. “And I vowed to avenge Fryeda’s death. I grew up with her, too. All Evgeni cared about was his business. So much so that he was willing to kill a woman who loved him, and his own child. People who knew Fryeda and Desmier believed they died at their home in a fire. That’s the story Evgeni went with all these long years. I took Desmier to Denmark to keep him safe. Then I waited for the right time to reveal the truth and see that he obtains his rightful place as heir to the Volkova legacy.”
“And what about me?” Viktor challenges.
“I’m sorry, my boy, but it is Desmier’s birthright.”
Viktor’s brows shoot up. “And today was the right time? My wedding day?”
“Marriage to Anastasia Sidorov is part of the empire transfer.” Leif’s face softens. “And as you are aware, the ninety-day transition period under the Rites of Inheritance ended at midday today. That means your father is out of the picture now. So, yes, today was the right time. The bottom line is, it’s time to choose a new leader. And I have.”
“So, he gets everything?” Mira asks weakly. “My business included?”
“Yes, he does.”
“This is an outrage,” Viktor spits. “You know it is.”
“And you know there’s not a goddam thing you can do about it.” I take back the reins. People can talk and mouth off about shit, but they know the law of the land and, worst of all, the law of the Knights.
“You’re taking absolutelyeverything?” Zakh clarifies, his dark eyes searching mine.
By everything, he means anything with the Volkova name. But it’s not like my seizure will mean they’ll be homeless-on-the-street poor. They were each given a sizable inheritance from Mira’s father, and they’ll receive another once our father passes. However, none of that comes close to what I’m taking.
“Yes, I am taking everything. But there are some things that will remain the same. I’ll let you know what those are in due course.” That will be things like their homes in some cases, and other assets.
God knows I would prefer to kick them all out and burn everything to the ground. I want them to suffer the way I did when Mom had to clean toilets and go through all kinds of shit to take care of me.
“What about the subordinate selection?” From the apprehensive look in Viktor’s eyes, I can tell that’s what he’s most worried about. They all are. My arrival means there’s only one more position of power left.
As the soon-to-be Sovientrik, and under the unique circumstances of the Knights’ law, I have the authority to choose the Obshchak, which is the third member of the Bratva elite. The man who holds that position is the chief financial officer of not only the Bratva but the Knights too.
Leif wants me to pick one of my brothers, and he also wants me to allow them to keep their jobs at Volkova Inc.
I’m not overly fond of that part of the plan, but I’m following Leif’s advice.
A king has to wear his crown with honor and know how to protect his conquests. I’m not a fool, or vengeful enough to fuck up a billion-dollar business by thinking I can run things on my own and allow the empire to fall apart.
“You’ll find out at the inauguration ceremony.” That’s in a months’ time, so they will have to wait. I need time to think and figure out who’s who in real life, not just from the records Leif has given me.
“This is complete madness.” Viktor steps forward and glances at my tattoo. He knows, just like Aleksander did, what it means, but he’s showing he doesn’t care.
“Well, it’s happening,brother,whether you like it or not.” I square my shoulders. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have things to do.”
On that note, I bow my head, give them a victorious smile, then Leif and I walk out, leaving them to stew in the pile of shit I just launched them into.
I can imagine what they’ll be talking about now, and how they’ll probably want to keep the truth about my father under wraps. Mira in particular won’t want to destroy my father’s highly-esteemed reputation in the Knights. Or hers. Even though no punishment will be issued because of who my father is, what he did to Mom and me is despicable and disgraceful even by the Knights standards.
When we reach the end of the corridor, I stop when my name is called. It’s Uther.
He rushes up to me, out of breath. His face is red, and his eyes are filled with panic.
“This can’t work. You can’t take my daughter. She’s an innocent in this.” He shakes his graying head, contorting his face so his scar becomes more pronounced. “There must be something else I can do.”
I give him a radiant smile, enjoying his trepidation the way he enjoyed mine when he tried to kill me. “Uther Sidorov, you know there’snothingelse you can do. You also know what will happen if you try.”