Chapter 2
Two
Maxim
"If you don't get your fucking shit together, I will make sure your useless ass doesn't suck up any more oxygen!" I scream into the phone while reading emails and writing down some notes.
I don't understand why people are so fucking idiotic these days. It's like they can't grasp or complete the simplest of tasks. I'm not asking for a lot here. All I'm asking is for them to do their fucking jobs.
I'm starting to think it's just New Yorkers, but my sister assures me this isn't the case. I've been in New York for three months, helping my sister manage one of our father's largest corporate office buildings.
He's the head of the Bratva and owns many companies in the United States, but the office building I'm at currently is for his largest, a company called LifeMed.
Not only is it a pharmaceutical company.
It's also a medical and dental insurance company as well, which branches out under another one of his many LLCs.
"Sir, with all due respect, if you had been in my position for as long as I have, you'd understand the limitations." All I hear is more bullshit from him. I continue jotting down some notes, scrolling through emails from my staff members.
I've determined that Alan is nothing more than a pathetic bitch. He's the kind of man who wants you to accept the fact he's lazy as fuck. I'm not doing that, and I never will.
There is nothing more that I can't stand than someone who wants to make you feel sorry for them. No. He could be getting answers, but the problem is he doesn't man the fuck up and do it.
"I've been here for three months and can see how you're not thinking outside of the box. You should be getting these answers, ensuring these results, but what are you doing? You’re a lazy fuck who sits around twiddling your thumbs up that ass of yours!"
"I'm over here telling everyone who doubts you to give you a fucking shot! No one at the company respects you. All they think is that you're some egotistical bastard who doesn't know jack shit about anything. We don't have any clue how you were named CEO."
At some point during his speech, I manage to break off the tip of my pen. Ink begins oozing out of the pen and onto the paper I've been writing on, completely obscuring all of my notes.
There are two ways I can handle this. I can simply fire him, or I can reveal to Alan why I got the job so easily.
"Alan, tell me something, do you know who I am?"
He scoffs on the other end of the line, "Obviously. You're the CEO of the company, Maxim Anikin."
I chuckle, ready to light his world on fire.
"You're partially right. I'm Maxin Anikin-Volkolv, the son of Ruslan Volkolv.
Not only am I his son, I was the CEO of a similar company he owns in Russia, which means I have over ten years of experience pulling companies like this from death's doorstep.
If people like you would listen to what I'm fucking saying, you'd realize I'm trying to save your jobs. "
Alan doesn't say another fucking word. Typical.
I clear my throat and continue, "I'm feeling like there's an immediate need to make some cuts for the betterment of the company. Alan, pack your fucking shit and get out of here within the hour." I'm doing my best to keep anger out of my voice, even if it's incredibly hard to do so.
At that exact moment, my sister sneaks into my office and shuts the door behind her.
I slam my phone down and look up at her with frustration. Even though my emotions aren't directed toward her, she knows better than dig too deep right now.
Vera has her straight blonde hair perfectly positioned as always, not a strand out of place. When American women think of Russian women who intimidate them, Vera is the woman they're thinking of.
She's strong like our father and has a resilient demeanor about her like our father. She might only be twenty-six, but her intelligence is beyond her years.
"Do I even want to know?" She takes a seat in one of the two armchairs across from my desk.
"Nothing much to tell. I fired a problem employee who has immense difficulty following the chain of command."
"So, you're talking about Alan."
I raise my brows, "Yeah. Has he been a problem for you?"
Vera cackles, "Oh, yeah. He's a miserable piece of shit who wants to get paid but never does his damn job. I knew as soon as Dad sent you out here you'd want to fire him. So, how'd he manage to last three months?"
For being a smart woman that doesn't mean she isn't immature. She plays games like this. Games I'm not too fond of.
"I never go into a company and fire someone.
Our employees rely on their jobs, and I do my best to ensure they have a steady paycheck so their families can still have a roof over their heads," Vera easily forgets there are people in this world who struggle with finances.
People who are about to get kicked out of their homes if they can't come up with quick cash.
She nods and leans back in the armchair. "I understand, but you need to stop being so soft with people. Alan hasn't had good production or followed up on things we've needed him to for months. He should've been one of the first ones you terminated, not the fifteenth."
I see what she's saying, although I do try to give everyone a chance, even if they don't deserve it.
"You do your job the way you want to, and I'll stick to doing my job the way I want."
Vera smirks and giggles lightly, "Didn't realize I was getting under your skin, brother."
"You're like a parasite, Vera. You manage to get under everyone's skin."
Vera's lips curl into a sinister smirk, "Yeah, it's necessary for my own protection.
You don't understand the difference in being a man versus a woman.
You don't see what's right in front of you, and how if I act like a normal woman it's dangerous for me.
" This unsettles me greatly, making me wonder about the things she's experienced that I don't know about.
"You're a Volkolv, Vera. No one in their right mind will mess with you."
She whips her head around and locks her gaze with mine.
"Do you think that being a Volkolv protects me?
No, it puts an even bigger target on my back.
" Most people wouldn't be able to notice, but Vera's voice is trembling with anger, mixed with fear.
I never realized how dangerous being the daughter of Ruslan Volkolv could be.
I decide it's best to change the subject, "So, why are you sneaking into my office? You need a break from some bullshit?"
Vera is the one who handles the board most of the time, keeping them happy while we still complete the tasks our father requests of us. For the most part, the two of us work together and he keeps his head out of our business, focusing on his other branches of income, and prevalent mafia issues.
"I'm here to give you a heads up. Father called me an hour ago and said he's in town." It's like my heart physically stops beating. Why is he here?
"He's in New York?" My mind races with all the possibilities for his sudden arrival.
She nods, her eyes focusing on one of the newer art pieces I added to my office. "Yes, he is. Without any warning in fact."
"Don't you think it's odd he's randomly showing up here?" A chill runs through me as I try to figure out the sudden reasoning behind his arrival.
"I do, and it's making me wonder what he wants. He never just shows up. He always gives us a week's notice, at least."
My father and I never had a great relationship, especially when I was growing up. He was much more present in Vera's life, but even then, she didn't have a great experience either.
I grit through clenched teeth, "That isn't like him. What the fuck does he want? What sort of game is he playing now?"
Vera shrugs and gets up from the chair, walking around my office, running the pads of her fingers along every surface. "All he told me was family business. I was hoping you'd have some idea,"
I don't. I don't have the slightest clue. I wasn't expecting him for at least a few more days. He tends to fly in right before Christmas to spend a day with us, then returns back to Moscow shortly thereafter.
I shake my head, "I don't have any clue. He usually gives us both a heads up, so this strikes me as odd."
Vera stops all of a sudden and looks right at me. "Do you think he's come all this way to get your help?"
I furrow my brows, not understanding what she's trying to say.
"Does he really think you'd help coerce or convince me that a marriage is the best choice?"
Ah, now I get it. My father could easily be using me as a pawn.
She's twenty-six and it's well past time most Russian women have their husbands chosen for them.
Her arranged marriage is overdue, two years overdue.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if our father is using me to push his agenda.
Although, the thought of him springing this on me does make my blood boil.
"It's possible. Do you know when he's coming?"
Vera shakes her head, "No, only that he'd be in town today. I suspect he's already landed."
"Okay, then leave for the day. Go do something fun and when he ultimately reaches out to me I'll handle it and let you know what the reason is."
She raises both her brows, shaking her head in protest. "You're serious? You want me to leave for the day?"
"If I didn't, I wouldn't have said it to you."
"Okay, I'll see you later. Let me know what happens." Vera heads for the door of my office and stops, turning back to look at me. "Thank you, Maxim."
I chuckle lightly. "Don't thank me yet, I don't even know what's going on."
Vera leaves my office and shuts the door behind her. I spend the next couple of hours going through the plethora of emails I have, responding to them, and making sure all of my t's are crossed and my i's are dotted. By the time I'm finished, it's around lunch so I take the first break of my day.