I shake my head. “Don’t start again or we might end up getting arrested soon.”
“Okay, but as soon as you are finished, we are going back to the apartment so I can ravish you.”
I nod in agreement. “Agreed.”
Ever since we arrived in Boston, I’ve felt like while Valery has been happy, there’s been something missing.
He’s missed the purpose he had as a pakhan to the bratva, and the first time I truly saw him at ease was earlier when he told me about his plans.
The least I can do is get behind them and support him after he rescued me from a life of misery. I can’t wait to see what our future holds.
20
VALERY
Two years later…
“The Italians are pushing into our territory,” Dima says.
I glare at him. “Then push back harder. We will not give up the territory we’ve rightly won.” The Mazzeo family has been our most difficult opposition since I founded the Gurin Bratva in Boston. Their ties to the city are old and well established.
He nods. “Yes, pakhan.”
I steeple my fingers on the steel industrial table my men are gathered around at our headquarters in an old warehouse at the docks. “Is there any other matter that needs to be addressed?”
My Sovietnik, Vladimir, clears his throat. “The Irish are gaining power at a rapid rate. Do you want us to do anything about it?” He doesn’t compare to Konstantin, but he’s a good kid who is loyal through and through.
I shake my head. “We stick to our territory and our own business. If they overstep, then we do something about it. Not before.” I learned my lesson in Zelenograd that being overly ambitious is the way to lose everything. However, if I were given the opportunity to go back and do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing because it brought my Anya.
My soul mate. My true reason for living.
Anya loves living in America. I didn’t believe she could be more beautiful, but she is radiant now that she’s truly happy. Free from the shackles of communist Russia and the prison her father kept her in. Ironically, her kidnapper is the man who freed her. And I would do it all over again if I could. There’s not one thing I’d change about the way we were brought together.
She has just found out she’s two months pregnant with our first child. It’s hard to believe that I’m going to become a father in less than a year, but also that it took so long for her to fall pregnant. I’m not entirely sure I’m ready for it, but with Anya by my side, I know I can do anything.
“What is being done about buying new real estate by the docks?” I ask.
Dima clears his throat. “Two offers have been accepted for the warehouses we wanted.” He looks nervous as he says, “Three were declined.”
“Give me the details of those three offers that were rejected. I want to know who owns them and why they declined the offer.” We offered twice the value of the properties to ensure they accepted the money, so it’s disappointing that three declined. However, we’ve hit political roadblocks at every turn in this city.
It’s a long hard slog, but the rewards here in Boston far outweigh what was possible in Moscow.
“Of course, sir. I’ll get you their details,” Dima says.
I glance around at the other men at the table. “Any more business?”
The silence that follows is a blessing. “Good, as I’ve got a wife to get back to.” I stand. “It’s our anniversary, and you know what that means.”
The men chant and whistle. “Happy anniversary, boss,” Dima says.
Vladimir claps me on the back. “Have a good night.” He winks. “I’ll make sure no one disturbs you unless it’s unavoidable.”
I nod. “Thanks, Vlad. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
With that, I walk out of the warehouse and get into my car, glancing at the flowers I picked up on the way.
Anya will love them.