It’s rare that I ever admit when I make a mistake, but I know moving against Grigory was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made as pakhan, arrogantly believing that I could take down the biggest crime boss in Russia. The only thing I can’t regret is that in doing so, I met Anya. Considering I’m seriously thinking about giving up my empire and fleeing the country so I can steal her forever, I’d say it’s also the best decision I’ve ever made.
* * *
“I havesome good news and some bad news,” I announce as I sit at the end of the boardroom table at the back of the Kochevnik.
My men watch me tentatively.
“I admit that I made a mistake going after Grigory Lebedev.”
Ilya sighs. “Thank fuck for that.” He runs a hand across the back of his neck. “I hope you have a plan to get us out of this shit show of a war.”
“Of course,” I say, swallowing hard. “I intend to step down as Pakhan.”
All of my men look at me like I’ve just grown another head. To them, this won’t look like a solution, not really.
“How does that fix anything?” Denis asks.
I clench my jaw. “With a new leader, you can renegotiate with Grigory and argue I’d lost the plot and have now fled Moscow.”
Konstantin clears his throat. “You realize that Grigory will hunt you down and find you? Especially if you are about to do what I think you are.”
I grit my teeth together. “And what is it that you think I’m going to do?”
“Run away with the Lebedev girl.”
Konstantin says it so matter of fact, as if he’s known I’ve been losing my head over her since I set eyes on her. Perhaps he has.
“That is my intention.”
Ilya slams his hand down on the table. “Are you telling me that you are throwing everything you’ve worked for away over a fucking girl?”
I glare at him, as right now I’m still pakhan, even if my choices lately have been questionable. “Yes, do you have a problem with that, Ilya?”
His jaw works. “Why would you give up everything?”
I can’t explain it in words to these men, but it doesn’t feel like I’m giving up anything. It feels like I’m gaining everything. Anya is more important to me than any power or wealth. I knew it the moment I set eyes on her.
“It’s difficult to explain.”
Konstantin clears his throat. “It’s obvious he’s in love.”
Ilya and the rest of the men laugh, but he’s right. It appears he’s the only one who understands, and I suspect that’s because he’s in love with the working girl from Grigory’s club.
“Where will you go?” Denis asks.
I don’t trust him as far as I could throw him. None of them will know my final destination, as it would be too dangerous. “We’ll head over the border into Ukraine.”
Yaroslav looks unconvinced. “Grigory has good links with Ukraine. Half of his family live there.”
“We won’t remain there long. Continue moving until we reach neutral ground.”
Ilya nods. “So, who will be pakhan?”
“That’s something we need to discuss. My vote goes to Konstantin as my second in command.” I glance at the five men at the table. “The most votes win, but you can’t vote for yourself.”
Ilya nods. “I second Konstantin.”
I’m surprised by his quick confidence vote of Konstantin, as I’ve always believed he would want the position of pakhan for himself.