Chapter 22 — Nial
I sat in my office, reviewing pending files, when the door opened and a man walked in. It wasn’t Boris, as I’d expected. The cologne that filled my space was sharper and more expensive. Familiar.
He walked right in, shoes scuffing against the floor.
Without raising my head, I said with a calm voice, “You really need to stop showing up unannounced. One call before you arrive won’t kill you.”
Mikhail laughed lightly. “Well, where’s the fun in that?”
I dropped my pen and leaned back in my chair, eyes fixed on my father. “Have you come to make more decisions in my life?”
He pulled back the armchair that flanked my desk. “Don’t be silly. I did you a solid with that girl.”
“What do you want, Father?”
“Will you stop blowing me off?”
“I’m not. I just want you to get straight to the point.”
“So what? You’re sick of your old man’s presence, is that it?”
I let out a dismissive scoff. “Funny of you to say that because I don’t remember your presence when we were growing up.”
“Got something to say to me, boy?” A faint frown perched on his face, his voice deeper than normal.
I looked at him in silence, my expression neutral as images of my traumatic childhood came flooding into my mind. We both knew what my bitterness and resentment was about. And the longer I stared into his eyes, the more I realized how important it was to be a better father than him.
He uncrossed his legs and leaned closer. “Look, I’m not here to fight with you. I just want to talk.”
“About what?”
“About how your recent actions have sparked suspicion amongst the elites.”
Silence.
He reclined in his chair again. “Why on God’s green earth did you allow your fiancée to continue pursuing the case against Vika?”
“I don’t see how that’s a problem.”
“I know the boy is a fool,” he answered. “But going after him like that is risky to Bratva unity.”
“I disagree,” I said, calm as always. “Everybody hates that son of a bitch. He’s reckless and stupid and doesn’t hesitate to bring shame to the family name.”
He paused, holding my gaze. “Is that the real reason, or are you only saying this because your little lawyer is involved in the case?”
Images of how he almost forced himself on her back in her cell flashed in my mind. I recalled the way he’d mocked her at the gala and the pain it caused her.
My fingers curled into fists, my jaw tightening. “Vika is a human trafficker, and trafficking disgraces the Bratva. If we don’t end this madness now, his actions will drag us all into the mud sooner or later.”
He thought for a second, eyes still fixed on mine.
“My fiancée is simply doing what none of us has the guts to do—bury the man legally.”
“And if she turns on us?”
“She won’t.”
He sneered. “Trust is a dangerous game in our world. You, of all people, should know that.”
“This isn’t about trust.” I placed my hands on the table. “It’s about loyalty.”
He raised his brows. “You think she’s loyal to you because she’s carrying your child?”
I hesitated, realizing the lengths I was already going just to protect her. “She might be as stubborn as a mule. But she’s not stupid. And she’s not our enemy.”
“I’m just saying, if she’s allowed to go after Vika, who’s she going after next?”
“Anyone involved in human trafficking.”
A pause.
I continued, “The girl’s good at what she does, and she’s not against us.” After a quick pause, I added, “She’s not a liability, Father. She’s an asset—one that can make all our legal problems go away in a flash.”
His lips curved into a faint grin. “She sounds resourceful. And more beneficial to the organization than that clown.”
The look on his face revealed something strange: intrigue. He found her rather fascinating.
“Exactly,” I said. “Silencing her would only validate Vika’s behavior. And we don’t want that. So let’s allow her to correct the damage he’s done.”
He didn’t speak. Just stared.
“After she wins the case, you can decide whether she’s good enough to protect our interests or not.”
“You sound confident that she’ll win.”
No reply.
He wasn’t wrong, though. I was overly confident in her ability to bury that asshole.
My father studied me for a moment, gently rocking his chair side to side. “You seem to have it all figured out.”
I did.
“So what’s your plan when senior members begin to oppose you?” he asked. “You do know the boy’s father won’t let this slide.”
“That’s where you come in.”
He arched his brows. “Me?”
“You’re just as powerful and feared as Uncle Vladimir. I’m sure you can handle him and a few senior members.”
He laughed lightly, as if shocked by my audacity. “Bold of you to try and manipulate me into sticking out my neck for you.”
“Your brother is doing the same for his disgrace of a son,” I answered, unflinching. “Will you sit back and do nothing to defend yours?”
He hesitated, a small grin playing on his lips. “You tricky bastard.” Father chuckled, and after a moment of thought, he said, “Fine. I’ll handle my brother and anyone else at the top who tries to interfere with her work.”
“Good.” I kept a straight face, even though his approval meant the world to me.
Mikhail rose to his feet, fastening the buttons of his coat. “I’ll see myself out.”
I gave a curt nod, and he did too.
Without another word, he turned around, whistling as he walked away.
Only then did I allow myself a brief, rare grin.
***
Later that evening, I was passing through the hallway when I noticed the library door was slightly ajar. The lights were on, indicating that someone was in there. When I drew closer, I found out it was her. Kiera. My little lawyer.
She sat on the floor, surrounded by files and notes, her hair tied in a messy bun. A red pen rested against her left ear as she scanned the pages of a book. Her brows drew together, underscoring the seriousness on her face.
I watched her quietly from the doorway, intrigued by her focus, her resolve, and the way she was fully absorbed in her work. Her dedication to the job was remarkable, and for the first time, pride settled deep in my chest.
That incredible strength and fiery spirit of hers was exactly what I needed beside me. Because she had slithered her way into my stony heart, I began to look at her in a different light.
Maybe she was wife material for a man like me after all. Perhaps she had what it took to help keep the business running.