Her lips purse together and she nods. “Fair enough.”
I can see the disappointment written over her face that I’m bailing on her, and a part of me wants to change my mind. A part of me wants to get back under the covers and show her just how much I don’t want to leave, but I need to clear my head and get some space from this vixen.
I climb onto the bed and grab her throat firmly, angling her chin up. “Give me a goodbye kiss, printessa.”
Her nostrils flare as heat burns in her crystal eyes. “What’s in it for me?”
I smirk. “You know you want to kiss me.”
“Arrogant,” she says, turning her face away.
I move my hand from her throat to her chin and force her face toward mine. “Don’t disobey me, Anya.”
Her expression turns furious, but I don’t care as I meld my lips to hers, sparks igniting in my blood and driving me crazy. My cock hardens instantly and I realize it was a mistake to come within a foot of her.
Anya moans as my tongue delves into her mouth. It’s at that moment I know I can’t linger here any longer or I’ll end up losing my senses and fucking her again, and until Grigory is dealt with, claiming Anya as my own is risky business.
Breaking apart, I move off the bed. “Now get some sleep.” I wink and walk away from the bed without another glance at the pure temptation spread out naked on the bed behind me.
There’s plenty of time for me to have my way with her as much as I damn well want, but first I need to figure out how I’m going to bring her father down once and for all.
* * *
The leadersI’ve appointed within my organization are gathered around a dining table at the back of the traditional Russian restaurant that used to belong to my grandfather, Kochevnik. It’s our main meeting point for all bratva business.
“I’m sure you are all aware that Grigory has put a price on my head?”
Yaroslav and Denis exchange a look that tells me they’ve both already discussed it. The reward Grigory is offering would be attractive to most of my men, and I’m not stupid enough to think they haven’t all considered it.
“No matter how tempting it may be. You won’t survive long enough to take it from my shoulders.” I give those two a pointed look and they both stare down at the table, unable to look me in the eye.
The lower-ranking men will be even less loyal, so I’m expecting to have to watch my back until this blows over.
“However, we have to be vigilant now that a war has erupted between our two organizations.” I clear my throat and steeple my hands in front of me on the table. “Yaroslav, make sure that our suppliers aren’t getting twitchy over this. I want them reassured that business goes ahead as usual.”
Yaroslav nods. “Of course, sir.”
“The rest of you need to keep your men in line. It’s as simple as that. Make it clear that any traitors will be dealt with swiftly and harshly.”
Konstantin clears his throat. “And how are we going to handle Grigory?”
“I’m sure he suspects I was the one who broke into his home and stole his ledgers.” I hold up the file, which is gold dust in my hands. “I know every price he pays his suppliers and how much he pays the politicians to keep them on his side. All the details are here, giving me a chance to steal them all away at a higher price.”
Denis clears his throat. “That’s smart, but what if people are loyal to Grigory and rat you out?”
I shrug. “Some will surely remain loyal, but not all. Money always talks.”
Konstantin nods. “It makes sense, but I fear that our problem isn’t finding supporters, but the fact that his men outnumber us three to one.”
I’m surprised to hear Konstantin opposed to my plan as I glance at him. “Our numbers will grow as Grigory loses his contracts and the men desert the Lebedev Bratva.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but just nods his head.
“However, we won’t be the ones to make the first strike physically. I will set in motion my plan, but he’s yet to take a punch and therefore we must wait before we declare all out war.”
“Why don’t we give his daughter back and play the long game, slowly dismantling his operation with the ledgers?” Stas suggests.
Konstantin already asked me that previously, and I told him it would make us look weak, but it’s not the only reason I can’t give her back. “Because the Morozov Bratva stands by its actions and doesn’t back down at the first sign of trouble.”