Chapter 16 – Roman #2
These sons of bitches were worse than me. At least I was the monster everybody knew about and avoided like a fuckin’ plague. I didn’t pretend to be who I wasn’t just to gain fame and public approval.
Unlike these greedy assholes, I didn’t stab people in the back. No. I preferred to look them in the eyes while I drove my dagger into their heart. It was always better that way.
“Ah, Mr. Tarasov,” a familiar voice caught my attention.
I snapped out of my thoughts and paused in my tracks with my most prized possession beside me.
He approached me, a wide grin playing on his lips.
I’d been in this business long enough to spot a fake smile when I saw one. Besides, David Alderman was one of the wolves in sheep’s clothing—just another greedy politician who’d been trying to close a deal with the Bratva for months.
“Boy, am I glad to have run into you!” He laughed, revealing the green stuck in his teeth.
Disgusting.
His eyes shifted to Scarlett, and his brows arched instantly. “My goodness, you’re even prettier than they say,” he said to her, his voice smooth and nearly charming.
“Thank you,” she responded, holding on tighter to my hand.
Alderman returned his gaze to me again, his brown suit catching the chandelier’s soft light. “You know, I was hurt when I heard you got married, and I didn’t get an invite,” he said, his tone light and playful.
“It was strictly friends and family,” I answered, my expression as blank as a sheet of paper.
“C’mon, I thought we were buddies, you and I.” He chuckled.
Yeah, I almost forgot how annoying it was being around this asshole. He talked a lot for a man of his class, and that was one of the many reasons I’d never work with him.
“You know, your husband and I go way back,” he said to Scarlett.
“No, we don’t.”
He swallowed hard, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face. After clearing his throat, as if regaining his composure, he leaned in, his voice dropping by a whisper. “Hey, uh…now might not be a good time, but uh…about that deal….”
“See you around, Alderman,” I said, dismissing the conversation before it even started.
I picked up my pace, walking away from him with Scarlett still beside me.
“That was a little rude, don’t you think?” she said to me, her voice sweet like vinegar.
“It’s Alderman,” I answered, “he deserved it.”
“Your wife is beautiful, by the way!” His voice echoed from behind us, almost unaffected by my behavior.
“Yeah, I don’t think so,” she replied to my previous comment.
Alderman might have been a greedy idiot, but the one thing I liked about him was his carefree spirit. The man never took things to heart; he was skilled at brushing off anything he deemed as negative. But beneath all that calmness and plastic smiles lay a monster no one had seen yet.
I greeted a couple of people I respected in the business and introduced them to my wife, whose beauty caught their attention. Scarlett played her part so perfectly that almost everyone was convinced we were in love.
Love?
Funny.
A waiter was passing through at the time, champagne and canapes balanced on the tray in his hand. I flagged him down and picked up two glasses—one for me, the other for my lovely wife.
“Here you go,” I said, my voice smooth and enticing as I handed her a glass.
“Thank you, darling,” she replied, accepting it with a practiced smile.
“Darling?” Gladys chuckled, the diamond around her neck glinting in the light. “How sweet!”
Her husband, Derek, raised his glass at me. “I’m happy you finally decided to settle down, son,” he said. “And with a good woman too.” He gave Scarlett an approving nod.
She beamed.
“Very important,” Gladys seconded, “because the type of woman you marry determines how long you’ll live on earth. Is that right, sweetheart?” The question was directed to my wife.
Scarlett chuckled, her eyes shining with mirth. “Absolutely.”
“I guess Derek hit the jackpot then,” I said, my lips curling into a smile.
“You bet,” he answered.
We laughed, our shoulders shaking in sync as the sound burst forth in unison.
Right there and then, I caught a shadow of confusion in Scarlett’s gaze. She must be wondering why I seemed like a completely different person around Gladys and Derek. She glanced at me, shocked that I hadn’t only smiled, but also laughed.
Gladys and Derek were like family to me—and for the longest time, those two had played the roles of parents in my life. They’d been married for almost 35 years and counting, with kids and grandkids they adored.
At first glance, they looked like an innocent old couple that a mugger could easily rob in an alley.
Wrong.
Those two were hotter than lava and had sent more people to the grave than I had. They were a ruthless duo in their prime, whose names sent shivers down their enemies’ spines. They built their empire from the ground up, taking out anyone unfortunate enough to stand in their way.
Even until now, Gladys and Derek, despite their old age and gray hair, were still feared and revered in the criminal underworld.
They looked like two weary old cats on the surface, but deep down, they were lion and lioness—king and queen of their own world.
I didn’t have many role models; however, these two were among the very few people I looked up to.
Not long after they excused themselves and left us, I spotted him in the crowd, his presence commanding attention.
Lucian. Lucian Sokolov.
My expression darkened when he started heading toward my wife and me with a smug smirk on his lips.
“Well, well, well,” he began, his voice low and even. “Would you look at that! Isn’t it the newest couple in town?”
I wrapped my hand around Scarlett’s waist, gently pulling her to me. “Sokolov,” I called, my tone clearly stating he wasn’t welcome.
“Tarasov,” he answered, halting before me, dressed in a crisp white suit that matched the color of his hair.
The atmosphere shifted from calm to something darker, and even the onlookers who knew our history could sense the tension in the air.
Sokolov’s hatred for me still burned like a consuming fire despite his attempts to play it cool.
I didn’t give a fuck about his hate; it wasn’t my fault that his ex-wife enjoyed my dick a little more than she did his.
This was ages ago, and it didn’t mean anything to me—it was just another reckless indulgence.
Clearly, Lucian Sokolov still hadn’t let go of the pain and humiliation that made him a laughing stock in certain circles.
The second he began spreading the rumor that I had a woman in my mansion, one I intended to engage, I knew what his plan was. It was part of the reason I married Scarlett and made her mine—that way, I’d keep her safe from Sokolov’s clutches.
The man was hungry for revenge and would do anything to get it—including going after my wife. The mere thought of his filthy hands on her made my blood boil.
“What’re you doing here, Sokolov?” I asked, my scowl deepening.
“It’s a free country,” he answered, his voice laced with venom. “I can go wherever I want. Besides, you’re not the only one who was invited.”
I hesitated for a second before tightening my hold around Scarlett’s waist. “Come on, let’s go.”
“What’s the matter, Tarasov?” He grabbed my arm, his grip firm and unyielding. “Why the hurry? The night’s still young.”
I glared at him, my brows furrowing to accentuate the frown on my face. “Let go, Sokolov,” I growled, warning him as I glanced down at his fingers around my arm.
“Or else what?” he replied with the same tone. “What’re you gonna do, Tarasov?”
For the next few seconds, it was as though time itself stood frozen, and everyone else’s breath was hitched, unsure what would happen next.
Out of nowhere, Sergei stepped forward, his hand buried underneath his coat, ready to withdraw his gun. “Everything alright, Boss?” he asked me, his blazing eyes fixed on the enemy.
Sokolov’s lieutenant also stepped in front of his master and reached for his weapon.
The peace of this gala hung on a thin thread that was about to snap at any moment.
I could almost hear the sound of Scarlett’s beating heart; she was afraid a gun battle was about to erupt like a fuckin’ volcano. As much as I would like to put a bullet in Sokolov’s head, I couldn’t endanger my wife’s life.
The bastard had nothing to lose should a gun fight break out right now. I did. And because I wasn’t willing to gamble Scarlett’s safety, I couldn’t afford to act recklessly.
His men had all drawn their weapons, as had mine, and now the whole event was at a standstill. The live band on stage stopped performing, and a dreadful silence fell across the hall.
All eyes were on us, and the guests were anxious—afraid, unsure of their safety.
“Gentlemen, gentlemen, please.” Alderman stepped out from the crowd, a wide smile playing on his lips. “This is a party; there’s absolutely no need for violence.” His gaze shifted across the two of us.
Sokolov hesitated before letting go of my arm and signaling his men to stand down. I gave Sergei a subtle nod, and he took a step back—still on high alert.
Sokolov cleared his throat and adjusted the tie around his neck. “Apologies for the interruption!” he said, addressing the crowd with spread out arms. “Please, carry on.”
The host’s voice boomed through the microphone as he enticed the guests with a few dry jokes, distracting them from the just-avoided chaos.
Gradually, they all returned to whatever they were doing—the music came back on, and the soft hum of conversations filled the air again.
“Scarlett, is it?” Sokolov said, his eyes pinned on her.
“Keep her name out of your mouth,” I warned him.
He chuckled lightly. “I find it funny how you’re seriously protecting what’s yours like you didn’t….” His voice trailed off into silence before his scowl deepened, and he leaned in. “Tell me, Tarasov, how long do you think it’ll take me to have my revenge?”
I mirrored his position and whispered through gritted teeth, “Touch a hair on her head, and they’ll never find your body.”
His lips twisted into a mischievous smirk. “Watch your back, Tarasov.” He patted my shoulder and walked away, whistling like he hadn’t just pissed me off.
After he left, Scarlett let out a sigh of relief, as if she’d been holding her breath this whole time. “What was that about?”
“Nothing,” I answered, my tone flat and dismissive. “Let’s just go.”
I held her hand, quietly leading her out of the building.
She didn’t object, didn’t press for further answers either—only followed me like she trusted my decision.
Sergei and the other men flanked around us in a circle, shielding us from every angle.
I knew she had many questions about what happened tonight, and I hoped it would never reach the point where I’d have to explain myself.
This encounter with Sokolov and the chaos that almost erupted opened my eyes to the truth. I cared so much about Scarlett that I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her. I hadn’t admitted it to myself, but deep down, I knew it to be true.
Protecting this woman was my number one priority henceforth, and anyone who came after her would wish they had never been born.
That included Lucian Sokolov and his men.