Chapter 22
IVAN
I wake up pissed. My cock is hard enough to break through steel. Aleksei’s warning about not getting tangled up with Melani rings through my head like a damn bell—too fucking late.
I can’t stop replaying the moment she picked up Viktor’s picture. That innocent question: “Your dad?”
I’d forgotten I even had that in there. If I’d remembered, I never would have started that fucking game.
When I first moved here, I used to look at that photograph every day to remind myself of the kind of man I don’t want to be. Needlessly cruel, greedy, and selfish. That’s Viktor Petrov in a nutshell.
I had every intention of fucking Melani last night. She was more than receptive—flushed and trembling and so goddamn eager. But it turns out nothing kills the mood faster than seeing your bastard father’s dead eyes staring back at you.
My phone pings with a text as I roll out of bed.
It’s Dima, reminding me about the meeting at his office this morning.
I drop my phone without replying. He knows I’ll be there.
I drag a palm over my chin and make my way to the bathroom.
The rough scrape of overnight stubble rasps against my skin.
When was the last time I trimmed this? I frown, unable to remember, then grab the trimmer and get to work.
When I’m done, I brush my teeth and step into an ice-cold shower that does absolutely nothing to soften my erection.
I refuse to use my hand. I have more self-control than that, even if my body is doing its best to prove otherwise.
I get dressed quickly. And as I leave my bedroom, my gaze automatically drifts towards Melani’s closed door.
I wonder if she’s faring any better than I am. Is she still turned on? Still aching? She doesn’t strike me as the type to masturbate, but I can’t help wondering if she made herself come after I left. I hope not. I want her to suffer as much as I am.
“All ready?” Luka asks, tugging on his jacket. He’s going to Zvezda to oversee the arrival of a new shipment of drinks. Otherwise, I’d have sent him with the men going to pick up Linda Fontana, Melani’s mom.
“Yeah,” I answer, and we step out of the suite together.
Since Luka has other matters to handle, I decide to drive myself.
I don’t trust anybody else behind the wheel except him.
We get into separate cars, and he gives his horn a quick hit to say goodbye before pulling out with a few of my men in tow.
I follow shortly after, another car carrying three of my men falling in behind me.
Unlike my brother Aleksei, I usually don’t like going around with an entourage, but today, precautions are necessary.
Can’t be too careful when the pakhan, his successor—me, until he marries and produces offspring—and the spare—Dima—are meeting in one location.
Dima has his office in the heart of downtown Manhattan.
Even though he runs a security company, it doesn’t mean the place is always teeming with guards.
Most days it’s just him and a handful of staff.
I tap my index finger on the steering wheel as I drive, wondering what could be so important that he demanded this face-to-face meeting.
Could he have discovered a break in the missing men case? Nobody disappeared last night, but that doesn’t mean this shit is finished. We aren’t the only ones getting our men snatched.
I pull into the parking spot in front of the skyscraper that houses Dima’s office, and my men pull in next to me.
We step out together and head for the entrance.
The doorman nods respectfully as we pass, and one of the building’s security guards hurries ahead to call the elevator.
The doors slide open, and I incline my head in thanks as one of my men presses the button for the 45th floor.
When we arrive, I recognize Aleksei’s men strategically positioned around the lobby.
Wordlessly, my own security spreads out to join them, and I give them a curt nod as I walk down the hallway towards the office.
Dima is seated next to Aleksei on one of the sofas he has in front of his desk, two glasses of whiskey on the coffee table between them. They both glance up as I enter.
Aleksei gives me a pointed look that I ignore. I will decide what to do with Melani without his interference.
As I take the sofa across from them, Dima reaches for the bottle. “Drink?”
“I’m good.” I raise a hand to stop him. “I’m driving.”
“Luka didn’t come with you?” Dima sounds surprised. We’re rarely separated during business.
“I have some shipments coming in at Zvezda this morning, so he went in my place.” I slap my palm against my thigh, impatient now. “Let’s get on with it.”
Dima pulls his phone from his suit jacket and taps the screen a few times.
Another recording, then. My lips tilt into a slight smile despite my foul mood.
Because of how in-demand his security services are with top celebrities and politicians, he’s often privy to information long before it reaches mainstream media.
And he takes full advantage of it. His men always carry listening devices, and with his software, he somehow manages to monitor everything, constantly watching for anything that would benefit the family.
The recording starts, and I recognize the voice. Goddamnit. Daniel Salvi. He’s speaking with someone I can’t yet identify about his plans to ditch the Democratic Party and run independently. My brows lift in surprise. That’s a bold move.
“Democrats rule the city, Dan. This isn’t a wise decision at all.”
“Believe me, I know. But the past two elections have been won by independents brought forward by the Petrov family, so why can’t I win as an independent as well? There’s no way I'm getting the Democrat ticket.”
“They said as much?” the unknown person asks, their tone caught between shock and disbelief.
My brows pinch together. I can't quite put my finger on who it is, but I know I’ve heard that voice before.
“More or less. Something about waiting four years for my turn, but that’s a load of bullshit. I know those fuckers got to them. They’re threatened by me, Cole.”
“Cole as in Senator Cole Williams?” I interrupt, stunned as the puzzles click into place.
That definitely is Cole Williams’ voice. He’s always played both sides, maintained careful neutrality. He’s not aligned with us, but I thought he was smart enough not to stand against us either. Apparently, I was wrong.
Dima nods grimly, pausing the recording. “Daniel’s been secretly gaining a lot of backing. Now listen to the rest.” He hits play again.
Cole sighs. “This might actually be good. Perhaps a new political party is just what this city needs—one devoid of corruption.”
“Exactly. And this way, I can organically pull my own crowd. But to do this, we need investments. Heavy ones.”
“Don’t worry about the money. Focus on our message. I’ll do my best to amplify the new party on my end. I’ll talk to the others.”
A soft click signals the end of the recording.
“The others?” Aleksei asks.
“There are influential people who’ve rapidly gained interest in Daniel Salvi,” Dima answers. “And they’ve created a group. I told you both he’d be a force to reckon with.”
“But we have people in our pocket fighting back,” Aleksei points out.
“That’s why he’s not getting the Democratic ticket.
He’s an underdog, and this isn’t some feel-good movie where the underdog wins.
This is real life. His new party might gather momentum at first, but they lack one thing we have in abundance—power. He’s not going to win.”
“We’ll make sure of it,” I add, meeting Dima’s eyes.
But he just shakes his head. “I hope you’re both right. But I’ll keep my eyes and ears on him. I already have my men digging into his background—he’s squeaky clean. Too clean. Everyone has skeletons. We just need to dig deep enough to find his.”
“Yes, do that,” Aleksei agrees, getting to his feet.
“And keep us informed of his every move.” He fixes Dima with a hard look.
“Next time you have information to share, we meet at the castle.” The streets don't call him the King for nothing.
Kings aren't summoned—kings summon. That Dima risked the rebuke anyway tells me exactly how rattled he is.
He waits for an acknowledging nod before leaving. “What’s got his pants in a bunch?” Dima asks once the door shuts behind him.
“He’s our leader, and even though he doesn’t show it, he carries a lot on his shoulders.
Keeping the peace in this city while having to deal with the missing people’s case—and now this Daniel situation—must be getting to him.
” I pause, something important suddenly occurring to me.
“Shit, I forgot to mention something I found out.” I jump to my feet and wave at Dima. “Come with me.”
We jog out of the office just in time to see the elevator doors sliding shut.
“Hold it!” I yell.
One of my men lunges forward, thrusting his hand between the closing doors. The elevator sensors catch the obstruction, and the doors reopen. Aleksei cocks a brow at me from inside.
“A quick minute.” I raise a finger.
His lips thin, but he nods at his men. “Take the next one.”
They file out obediently, and Dima and I step in with him.
I wait for the doors to seal us in privacy before speaking.
“We’re not the only ones with missing men.
I know for a fact the Marinos have lost over a dozen soldiers and counting.
I had Luka look into it—other groups are experiencing the same thing.
” I look at Aleksei. “Someone is systematically targeting the mafia families in the city.”