He nods. “Just leave it to me. You will be my wife, if that’s what you want?”
I look down at the box in my hand. “It is what I want.”
The smile he gives me makes my heart ache. “Good. Put it on, malishka.”
I take the ring and slip it onto my finger, surprised that it fits pretty well, perhaps a tad too big. “It’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
I shake my head. “That’s a very cheesy line.”
He smirks. “I know, but you love it.”
My cheeks heat as we sit and eat our meal together, contemplating our future. I never believed I’d get a choice of who I’m going to marry and, to be honest, I’m still not convinced this is all going to work out. All I can do is hope and pray that Valery knows what he’s doing.
16
VALERY
I’m losing everything.
As I watch my most lucrative club crumble to ashes on the television screen on the news in my bedroom, I realize I’ve bitten off far more than I can chew. The fourth club he’s hit in under twenty-four hours, and I’ve been too wrapped up in his daughter to focus on a strategy to deal with it.
I underestimated Grigory’s pigheaded stubbornness to keep hold of his throne. Perhaps he’s not as washed out as I once believed.
Anya walks out of my bathroom wearing just my shirt and it feels like the sight of her eases all the worry, even though she’s at the center of this war. It’s insane, but somehow I think she was worth it all.
“What’s happened?”
I hold my hand out and she walks over to me and takes it, allowing me to pull her onto my lap. “I think I’m losing my empire.”
“Why don’t you sound worried about that?” Her brow furrows. “Weren’t you trying to expand it?”
I nod in reply. “I was…”
“And now?” she confirms.
My telephone on the nightstand rings at that exact moment. “I’ve got to take this.” I know I can’t avoid my men, it’s no doubt Konstantin.
Disappointment flushes over her features as I lift her off of me and rush to pick up the call. “Yes?”
“Have you seen the news?” His voice is panicked.
“Yes, I’m watching it now. What happened?”
“Grigory happened. We can’t keep this up.” He sighs heavily. “If we don’t make some concessions, our entire empire will be left in ruins.”
Our empire.
I realize in that instance that I’ve not only gambled with my own empire and wealth, but the livelihoods of my most loyal men. If Grigory succeeds in tearing apart the Morozov Bratva, then what happens to them?
I’m staring a vital decision in the face. Give up my empire and flee with my prize, Anya, or stay and potentially lose both. There’s no way I can remain in Zelenograd with Anya, as it’s only a matter of time until he finds us and tears us apart.
“Arrange a meeting with the leadership of the bratva. Text me the details.” I cancel the call, as I don’t want him to question what it’s about, but I can count on him to do as he’s told.
I glance at Anya, who is watching me with her arms crossed over her chest. “What are you going to do, Valery?”
The way she’s looking at me makes it clear that she knows I’m up to something, but I doubt she knows what. I return to my seat and sink into it, watching her. “Make everything right.”