I glance at Alek. “Seal the crate for ten minutes.”
“Got it,” my friend replies.
I jog out of the warehouse and hurry to Director Koslov’s office. The door is already open, and he gestures at an eighty-five-inch screen on the wall.
My head turns, and my blood turns cold as I look at Viktor Vetrov.
Christ, it’s a video call. Now.
“Sir,” I take in a soldier's stance, my hands folded in front of me so he can see them at all times. Right hand over left, so my bratva and mafia tattoos are visible. “Thank you for this opportunity to speak with you.”
“My uncle has kept me up to date with your training. He says you’re one of the best this year.”
I nod at Director Koslov. “Thank you for the compliment, sir.”
Viktor’s young for a bratva boss, but because of his family, he’s able to rule with an iron fist.
When Viktor just stares at me, I lift my chin higher. “I’m loyal to you and the bratva, sir.” Here goes nothing. “With that said, I’ve fallen in love with Aurora D’Angelo.”
I swear an entire minute passes in which Viktor just stares at me again. A bead of sweat trickles down my back.
I can’t tell if he’s pissed off.
Instead of ordering my immediate death, Viktor lets out a sigh. “Okay.”
“Okay? Sir?”
“You’re aware I have a hit out on the D’Angelo family, right?” he asks.
“Yes, sir.”
“Then ask me the question, Mikhail,” he orders. Calling me by my given name, his tone is brutal and unforgiving.
“Will you cancel the hit and give your blessing so Aurora and I can be together?” I take a deep breath, then add, “She’s nothing like Caruso.”
Viktor glances to his left, then his tone completely changes as he says, “I’m almost done,moya malen'kaya Roza.”
Viktor turns his attention back to me. “Are you ready for this, having a woman tell you when it’s time to eat?”
I can’t keep the chuckle from escaping. “I am.”
“And that woman has to be Aurora D’Angelo?”
“The heart wants what it wants,” I answer, then quickly add, “Sir.”
“Indeed it does.” He taps a finger on his desk. “And Aurora loves you?”
“Yes, sir.”
He thinks for a moment. “I’ll give my blessing on one condition.”
The fist around my heart relaxes a little. “Anything, sir.”
“I want Caruso to pay what he owes me.”
Fuck.
“If you can get him to submit to the bratva, you can have the woman.”