Chapter 2 – Adrik
The strong scent of vodka and the faint traces of aged paper filled the air as I sat in the visitor’s chair. Across from me was Pakhan Artem, the overall leader of the Tarasov Bratva.
He was seated in the leather armchair behind his mahogany table, a Cuban cigar perched between his lips. His red tie was knitted perfectly around his neck, his brown sleeveless jacket matching the color of his pants.
Despite being in his mid-fifties, the man was still as agile and strong as ever. The base of his hair was turning gray, and after a long time, he’d finally decided to grow a beard.
I loved the new look. Perhaps someday I, too, would keep my facial hair.
When I’d received a call from him two days ago, I knew whatever he wanted to discuss with me had to be of grave importance. He scheduled a meeting at his office today, which was why I was here.
By now, we were already way past the pleasantries—I asked about his kids and his wife, Sierra. He asked about the business and my role as the Bratva’s Fixer. As the Fixer, it was my job to clean up our organization’s mess.
I was the man in charge of making people disappear without a trace. I was the one the Bratva sent to uncooperative debtors.
“You must be wondering why I called for you,” he said, his voice snapping me back to the present.
I cleared my throat and adjusted in my chair.
“There is a deal that I want you to close,” he said, smoke curling around his face. “The Bratva needs a clean, strategic alliance with Beaumont Holdings.”
“Beaumont?” I asked. “The old-money American empire?”
He nodded. “The agreement is simple: a marriage between one of ours and the old man’s granddaughter.”
My brows raised, knowing where he was going with this. “Granddaughter?” I asked. “Isn’t she underage?”
“She’s twenty-three,” he answered, a small grin playing on the corners of his lips. “My wife was two years younger when I married her.”
My eyes flicked to the giant portrait of Artem and Sierra hanging on the wall behind him. They looked good together. But up until now, I still hadn’t been able to understand how Sierra managed to steal my Pakhan’s heart of stone.
Back to the matter at hand.
“Why are you telling me this?” I asked, feigning ignorance. “Would you like me to recommend one of my cousins to marry the old man’s granddaughter?”
He dragged on his cigarette. “That won’t be necessary. I already found the perfect man for that.” He locked eyes with me.
I locked my jaw and stroked my chin. “Come on…you can’t be serious.”
“Unfortunately, I am.”
I leaned in, elbows on the table. “I would do anything for the Bratva—and you know that. But this…this is—”
“Something that would benefit the Bratva,” he cut me off, his tone calm and composed. After a moment of hesitation, he added, “I know how you feel about settling down, but I wouldn’t ask this of you if it wasn’t important.”
I let out a soft sigh and leaned back in my chair. “Anything you say, Boss. The Bratva comes first.”
“Good.”
Orders were orders, and they should be followed. Not questioned. It didn’t matter what I wanted; my first obligation was to the organization that I’d sworn to serve.
The idea of marriage was hard to process, especially because I wasn’t ready for any sort of commitment. In my mind, I was thinking of ways to keep this woman at arm’s length. I needed to make this union a transaction and nothing more.
The women of this generation were spoiled, entitled, and stubborn as hell. Especially those born into a family like the Beaumonts. Whoever the fuck this young woman was, I was certain that she was going to be a pain in my ass.
At this point in my life, the last thing I needed was another liability, someone to cater to and provide all their needs. I’d been loyal to the brotherhood since my youth, burying emotions to survive in a world where love and affection were weaknesses.
Well, anyway, nobody said anything about love.
Later that evening, after I was done with Pakhan Artem, I decided to stop by one of the city’s high-end restaurants to cool off.
I stood on the edge of the flat rooftop, under the celestial canvas, staring blankly into space. The city sprawled beneath me, a sea of twinkling lights that stretched to the horizon.
The cool night air brushed against my face while I smoked in silence. My mind was reeling with the different ways to handle this marriage situation without making it obvious that I was repulsed by the idea.
I watched neon lights flicker like fireflies as the distant wailing of sirens filled the air.
“Thinking about your upcoming wedding?” a familiar voice teased. “You should, because it’s gonna be a big day.”
I glanced at the speaker, a tall man walking up to me with quiet footsteps and a corny smirk.
It was Artur Tarasov, my younger brother.
“You know, a part of me wishes you were the one summoned, not me,” I said, dragging on my cigarette.
He laughed lightly and tapped my shoulder. “If only wishes were horses.”
“Fuck you.”
Artur chuckled, fingers combing through his ash-brown hair. “Congratulations, brother. You’re about to be a husband.”
Husband.
The title alone made my face twist into a faint scowl as my gaze swept across the city beneath me.
“Don’t sweat it,” he added, his voice tinged with a hint of mockery. “She just might be the best thing that’s happened to you.”
I shot a glance at him. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one in my shoes.”
He chuckled. “What if you have a change of heart when you finally see her? What if she’s gorgeous?”
I dragged on my cigarette. “I don’t care what she looks like. I don’t like her now, and I most certainly will not like her in person.”
“Did you know that Pakhan Artem thought the same thing about his wife years ago?” he teased. “Now, look at them: a lovely couple.”
I faced him squarely. “If you wanna trade places so badly, I’m more than willing to oblige.”
“I’m just saying….” He shrugged his shoulders and took a step closer, a smirk playing on his lips. “…this might not be as terrible as you think.”
I paused for a second, letting out a puff of smoke. “Again, I don’t care. I’m only doing this for the brotherhood,” I said, sounding as nonchalant as I could. “The deal will be signed, the alliance will be made, and she’ll stay in her lane.”
He watched me in silence.
“I’ll make sure she knows her place, and she never crosses her boundaries,” I added.
“This union is nothing but a contract, paperwork designed to benefit both our families.” My fingers combed through my hair.
“It’s temporary. Once the alliance is sealed and strong enough to stand without our union, we’ll both go our separate ways. ”
He hesitated before answering. “Hmm. You seem to have it all figured out, huh?”
“Matter of fact, I do.”
He looked me straight in the eyes and said in a low voice. “I hope it works out as you plan.”
I didn’t know why, but I had a feeling he didn’t believe my plan would work. He had this look on his face that clearly stated that he’d be around to see how it ended.
He believed that what happened to Pakhan Artem would happen to me, that love would arrest me. He was wrong. Pakhan Artem and I were built differently. He let himself fall in love. I wasn’t going to make that mistake.
And considering how much I hated this union, I was certain that whoever this girl was, she wouldn’t be good enough for me.
She had no idea what she was getting herself into. Now, I was no woman-beater, but I was going to frustrate her before she frustrated me. I’d make her life a living hell until she chose to file for a divorce.