“Why have you removed Uther Sidorov from his position?”
Of course I knew would get backlash from him so I came prepared. Everything I tell him needs to sound like the truth so he stops being suspicious of me. At the very least, my explanation needs to be sufficient to hold him off from digging around. Things are set up so no one can find out what I know about Uther’s crimes, but nothing is ever certain. I’ve always been one to keep my mind open to all eventualities.
“I felt the time had come for a change, and I wanted the role to be held by one of my brothers.” I felt Malik was perfect for the role but I only chose Viktor so I can keep an eye on him. Uther will still be working in the same division, so I can watch him, too.
“Be that as it may, I’m sure you’re aware of Uther Sidorov’s level of skill and years of experience. That makes him trustworthy.”
No Aleksander, those years of experience made him a tool others could use for their benefit. All Uther did was use his position to screw with you.
That’s what I want to say, but I don’t. Nor do I tell him that it was Uther’s fault Aleksander lost twenty of his best men to his enemies when they walked into a trap Uther set in Uzbekistan last year. Uther was playing sides and set them up, using them as a decoy so an international terrorist could flee the country. Aleksander’s son and nephew were present at that expedition and barely made it out alive.
I also won’t tell him that early last year, Uther leaked information to the Feds and that’s why Aleksander was being investigated. Worst of all, I definitely won’t tell him that it was Uther who killed one of his personal bodyguards when he found out what he was up to.
That’s just a few of the worst things I have on Uther. There’s more I collected because I knew I needed to come at him with a weapon solid enough to make him bow to my control.
“I believe you chose my family to take care of the Bratva because you believe we can handle things in the way they should be.”
“That’s exactly why I chose the Volkovas, but Uther has always been a part of that setup. You must understand my concerns.” His voice echoes his displeasure. “To be honest, if things were like they were before I elected your father, I would have overruled this decision in a heartbeat.”
“Maybe you just need to trust me.”
He laughs without humor. “I’m going to need a hell of a lot more time to get to know you first before I can trust you. Last year our organization almost fell apart. Over a thousand years of a formidable legacy and it almost disintegrated on my watch. The Volkovas were my plan to rebuild. The setup your father put togetheristhe Komarovski Bratva. That’s why there was no question when it came to my decision to choose your family.”
“Then rest assured I’ve done the right thing and I’ve chosen the right people.”
He looks at me for a long moment, then a flicker of that suspicion that irks me enters his eyes. “I hope so, Desmier Volkova. I also hope for your sake there are no other reasons for removing Uther that I don’t know about and should. He’s certainly being dealt with in a manner that suggests there might be.”
“No, Pakhan.” I give no emotion away, although there is so much inside me.
“Like I said, I hope so. I’m sure you’re aware that if thereweresuch matters, I wouldn’t hesitate to dole out certain punishments you might want to keep within your hands.”
Aleksander is no fool. I knew if anyone were ever to suspect my vendetta against Uther it would be him—no matter how much I may look like I’m fulfilling a marriage contract. The risk in telling him the truth was this. The chance that he might figure out Uther had something to do with my mother’s death.
Aleksander also knows Uther. He knows how much Uther values his position in the Bratva and he wouldn’t have just accepted the loss of such an important role without a fight or some appeal if I didn’t have something over him. Aleksander just doesn’t know where to start looking for what I have. Even if he knew, he would never find it. It’s hidden so deep, I’d need the type of clearance to get into Fort Knox to access it—that’s the benefit of having someone like Gytha working for you.
Regardless, I need him to trust me.
“It would be a shame to start off on the wrong foot with me, especially since you’ll have a wife to take care of in a matter of days.” Cruelty curdles deep in his dark blue gaze.
At the clear threat toward Anastasia, my blood spikes and my nerves twist. The crimson haze of rage is a breath away, but I quell it only because I need to.
I have my rune, and I could challenge him, but there is always strength in numbers. Especially when you have a solid following and the devil’s laws are on your side.
Now that his eyes are on me, if he managed to find out what I have on his own, he could kill Anastasia for any of the crimes Uther has committed. And what I suspect him of—as in the mystery surrounding the Butyrskayas. Guilt for that would be worse than what I already have because of who the Butyrskayas were. When Anastasia marries me, she’ll no longer be anything to do with Uther, but there are exceptions. Exceptions the Pakhan can make if he wishes to.
“I assure you, there is nothing to worry about.” I sound like things really are what they seem. But I’m already planning his death if he thinks he can use Anastasia against me.
She’s mine.
Mine to protect. Even if I have to come up against all the Knights in the world and beyond, I’m not going to allow anything to happen to her.
“That’s good to hear. See you in a few weeks. I hope you enjoy your wedding.”
“Thank you, Pakhan.” I bow curtly and leave.
His eyes bore into me right until I walk through the door. It’s only once I turn into the corridor that the intensity subsides.
When I walk into the passage, I’m surprised to see Leif standing with Zakh and Malik. They look like they were waiting for me.