CHAPTER 15
Rodian
Giving Anastasia some alone time, I head to the kitchen to check on my family.
I can hear Mom and Aunt Marina chatting up a storm about the wedding, wondering what wedding dress Anastasia will choose.
Stopping in the middle of the foyer, I mentally go over the list. I had Tamara, who’s one of Sergei’s sisters and an event planner, send out electronic invites. She will also take care of the flowers, furniture, and catering. I’ll wear one of my black suits.
But dammit, I completely forgot about the wedding dress.
Pulling my phone out, I dial Tamara’s number.
“Hi, Mr. Volkov,” she answers. “What can I do for you?”
“I need wedding dresses.”
A gasp comes over the line. “The bride doesn’t have a dress?”
“No. How fast can you arrange a viewing here at my estate?”
“Oh… Uhm, I’ll need a couple of days.”
“You have until Monday.”
“Thank you.”
I end the call, and entering the kitchen, I let out a sigh before glancing at my family members who are all looking at me with grins plastered on their faces.
Dad gets up and comes closer. “Is everything better now?”
“Yes. Andrei and I finally got all the rogue groups under control, and Yegor’s associates are waiting for the wedding.” I grab a glass from a cupboard and pour myself some freshly squeezed orange juice.
“So the men killed Yelena?” Aunt Marina asks. When I nod, she shakes her head. “I never liked the woman, but that’s no way for a Bratva princess to die. You must tell your men to leave the women alone.”
Uncle Ruznik always allowed Aunt Marina to give her two cents regarding the Bratva, but it’s never sat well with me.
Tilting my head, I lock eyes with her. She already starts to bristle before I say, “Who made you the pakhan?”
Her expression instantly turns apologetic.
“I’ll decide how my men are handled and what orders they’re given. You don’t interfere in Bratva matters, and you sure as fuck don’t tell me what to do. Are we clear?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Rodian,” Mom whispers.
My eyes snap to my mother, and I shake my head. “Don’t. I love you both, but being my family doesn’t give either of you the right to interfere with the Bratva. Uncle Ruznik might’ve allowed it, but I won’t.”
I down the orange juice and set the glass down in the sink. When I turn around, I change the subject and ask, “What do you think of Anastasia?”
Mom instantly smiles. “She’s beautiful.”
Dad comes to pat my shoulder and mutters, “As long as she makes you happy, I’m happy.” With that being said, he leaves the kitchen to check on the garden that’s his hobby.
“She looked terrified of us,” Aunt Marina mentions. “And the bruises…” She gives me a worried expression. “Is she recovering okay?”
“Dr. Kravets is very happy with the progress Anastasia has made. Physically, she’s healing fast, and she’s regained some of her weight. The mental side will take longer, but I have faith she’ll get through this.” I exhale a sigh. “Just be patient with her. She gets overwhelmed quickly.”
Both women nod, and just as Mom wants to say something, my phone rings.
I pull the device out, and seeing it’s Oleg Sokolov, I nod at the women before leaving the kitchen.
“Volkov,” I answer.
“Yegor fed you your entire life, and you repaid him by killing him and his family. You have no loyalty,” the old man’s voice rumbles over the line, filled with disgust and rage.
“I heard you had your men rape and slaughter the women.” It sounds like he spits.
“And now you plan to force Yegor’s beloved granddaughter into marriage. I won’t allow it.”
Even though he pisses me off, my tone remains commanding as I reply, “Careful, Oleg. Are you sure you want to follow Yegor to the grave? Because that’s where this ends.”
“Pig!” he shouts. “I will avenge Yegor.”
“You and me. Face to face. If you’re too old to fight, choose a man willing to die for you. We settle this old school. Winner takes it all.”
He snorts. “You’ve always been too savage. That’s your problem, Volkov. Young, stupid, and have an unquenchable thirst for power you didn’t earn. I want Anastasia. She will marry my son.”
A dark chuckle rumbles from my chest. “Anastasia is mine.”
“I will pardon you if you hand her over to me. I’ll let you and your family leave Russia, never to return. Just give the girl to me.”
“I don’t like repeating myself,” I growl.
“Give me the last member of the Fedorov bloodline!” he shouts.
Done with the conversation, I end the call and dial Andrei’s number.
“What’s up?”
“Sokolov won’t back down. Tell all the captains to prepare their men for attacks.”
“What’s the old man’s problem?” my friend snaps.
“He wants to be pakhan and for me to hand over Anastasia.”
“Are you still going out tonight?”
“Yes.” I walk into my office and shut the door. “The date is very important and can’t be canceled.”
“I’ll be there at six-thirty to guard you myself,” Andrei says, his tone telling me no amount of arguing will change his mind.
“Thanks, moy brat.”
As I end the call, I drop down in the chair behind my desk and rub my fingers over my beard.
Hopefully Zubkob, Yeltsin, and Popov will fall in line and not follow Sokolov.
Blyad?, I don’t want to lose more men in this war.
Waiting for Sokolov to attack is not an option. He played his hand and made it clear he won’t accept me.
I have to eliminate him as soon as possible.
Taking a chance, I dial the new number I got for Rosie.
“Wow, and here I thought you forgot about me after all the time we spent together,” the capo, who I helped save, answers the call. “Seriously, I thought we formed a friendship. You only checked on me once? What’s up with that shit?”
“Hi, Rosie,” I chuckle, a wide smile curving my lips. “How have you been?”
“Actually, very good. Enzo asked me to marry him.”
“That’s such great news. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” she replies. “I got the invite to your big day, so congrats is in order for you too. Are you sure about marrying Yegor’s granddaughter, though?”
“I’ve never been more sure about anything.”
“Hold up.” Rosie’s voice brims with curiosity. “Did you fall in love with her?”
“Five years ago. We met at a theater where she worked as a costume designer. It was love at first sight for me, but I lost her.”
“Oh, my God. Who would’ve thought you’d have such an epic love story? What happened? How did you lose her?”
After spending over a month with Rosie, keeping her as safe as I could from Yegor’s loyal dogs, I find it easy to talk to her.
“I didn’t know who she was related to when we met, and her family swiped her from under my nose.
We only exchanged first names, and I didn’t have you back then, so I couldn’t find her.
Just over a week ago, I visited a factory that made the prison you were kept in look like a five-star resort.
She was starved and…” The sight of Anastasia in that fucking pen shudders through me, and I suck in a deep breath.
“Anyway, I have her back, and she’s healing. ”
“Rodian,” Rosie gasps softly. “I’m so sorry that happened to her.”
I exhale through my nose and glance out the window at where Dad is pulling weeds from one of the flower beds.
“Dammit,” Rosie suddenly sighs. “Tim is at it again. He thinks I have time to play hacking games with him.”
“Talking about Tim. Will you speak to the kid? I don’t want him mixed up in the Bratva at such a young age.”
Rosie lets out a snort. “Good luck with that. He’s not going to listen. I suggest you give him small things to keep him busy.”
“I don’t have time to entertain the little shit,” I mutter.
“Just give him some attention, Rodian. He thinks you hung the moon after you saved him.”
“No, you have that all wrong. The kid idolizes you.”
“Just throw him a bone is all I’m saying,” she sighs. “Anyway, why did you call?”
“Are you back up and running?”
“Kinda. Still have a few things to do, but the system is up. What do you need?”
“Oleg Sokolov. Yegor was his best friend. Can you find out everything possible about him, his family, his most loyal men, and who he has been seen with recently?”
“On it. I’ll get back to you with the info.”
“Thanks, Rosie.” My tone softens as I add, “I’m glad we can work together. This alliance means a lot to me.”
“Aww, is that your way of saying you care and miss me? Don’t worry, big guy, Enzo and I will be at your wedding. Too-de-loo.”
When she ends the call, laughter shakes my shoulders.
Yeah, I actually do miss her. Rosie just has a way of lighting up whatever room she’s in, and she’s one of the few people who doesn’t annoy me at all.
I send Enzo Falco a quick text.
Rodian: Congrats on the engagement. BTW, manufacturing is up and running, and we’re ready for orders.
I’m surprised when he reads it and replies within seconds.
Enzo: I’m with Rosie and overheard the conversation. Just let us know if you need backup to take on Sokolov. Will send over the first order after talking with the other capos.
Rodian: Don’t worry about backup. Thanks, though.
Needing to get ready for our date, I climb to my feet and leave the study. Deciding to let Anastasia have my bedroom to herself, I grab everything I’ll need and head to one of the guest rooms.
Anastasia
Heading down the staircase, I smooth my palms over my hips, trying to breathe through the nerves spinning wildly in my stomach.
It’s been so long since I’ve gotten to go out and do something normal, and even though I’m excited about it, I’m struggling not to have an anxiety attack. My hands are trembling uncontrollably, so I start doing the calming technique Artem showed me earlier today.
I’m torn in two. My impending marriage to the pakhan is too scary to think of, but since Rodian rescued me eight days ago, he’s gone out of his way to care for me.
Where I once used to trust my instincts, I now doubt everything, and I hate it.
Halfway down the stairs, the foyer comes into view, and I see Rodian standing in the middle of the room.
Dressed in a tailored dark blue suit, with tan-colored shoes, and his hair up, he looks too attractive for me to handle. My pulse instantly speeds up at the sight of him, and my stomach begins to do cartwheels, as if it’s an Olympic sport and it’s going for gold.
The moment his eyes land on me, I feel their intensity. Rodian takes a step back, and placing his hand over his heart, he stares at me as if I’m a work of wonder.
“Iisus Khristos. You take my breath away.”
His genuine admiration repairs one of the many cracks in my self-esteem. Little by little, he’s mending parts of me I thought would be broken forever.
I picked a cream long-sleeve blouse and red skirt that reaches my ankles to wear, pairing the outfit with low-heeled pumps, and as I take the last step, I smooth my palms over my stomach.
“Hi.” My voice comes out sounding like a mere peep, and I clear my throat.
Rodian closes the distance between us with confident strides, and stopping right in front of me, he takes hold of my trembling hand and squeezes it.
“Are you okay?”
“Just nervous,” I answer honestly.
“Oh! Such beautiful couple!” Irena suddenly calls out. “You go to dinner now?”
Rodian nods, and letting go of my hand, he places his on my lower back. “Don’t wait up for us, Mam.”
“You have fun.” The way Rodian’s mother is beaming makes me smile, and when she notices, hers grow even wider. “Wait!” She rushes forward. “Take my coat. Might get cold.”
We stop near the front door and watch as she grabs one from the coat closet. The caramel-colored, cashmere coat is gorgeous, and when she gives it to me, I say, “Thank you. I’ll take good care of it.”
“You can have, my daughter. You need to stay warm until stronger so you don’t get sick.”
Touched by how kind she is, my voice is filled with emotion as I whisper, “Thank you.”
She reaches up and adjusts my hair over my shoulder, then says, “Go have fun. Eat lots and get to know each other better.”
“Thanks, Mam.” Rodian presses a kiss to her forehead before moving his arm around me and guiding me out of the house.
Seeing the guards, I grip the coat tighter in front of me and curl my shoulders forward.
Rodian’s arm tightens around me as he pulls me into his side. “No one will hurt you.”
What he doesn’t understand is that there are many ways to hurt a person without lifting a finger. Disgusted looks. Snide comments.
As I dare to glance at the guards nearest to me, I notice they’re too busy scanning the front yard and on alert for danger to mind me.
“Everything is ready,” a man says as he walks toward us.
When his eyes rest on me, I’m surprised when I find no malice, but instead, he gives me a tight smile.
“Nice to meet you, Anastasia. I’m Andrei Dragun, Rodian’s best friend and underboss.
I’ll be accompanying you tonight to make sure you both remain safe. ”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
He gestures for a man to come closer, then says, “This is Sergei, Rodian’s personal guard.”
I incline my head at Sergei and repeat, “It’s nice to meet you.”
“With that out of the way, you all hang back. Do not crowd us,” Rodian orders as he nudges me toward a black Rolls-Royce. I didn’t even know the brand made SUVs.
The back door is already open, and he gestures for me to get in. Sitting down on the luxurious leather, I adjust the coat on my lap, but then Rodian pulls it from my hands and says, “I’ll put this in the trunk so it’s out of the way until you need it.”
“Okay.” He shuts my door softly, and I hear the men's voices rumble as they speak Russian.
Smoothing my skirt out, I nervously begin to fidget.
Even though I still claim our special night at the theater as our first date, this is technically the first time I’m going out with a man, and it only adds to my anxiety.
The other doors open, and while Rodian gets in beside me, Andrei takes the front passenger seat and Sergei slides in behind the steering wheel.
“Ready?” Rodian asks, covering both my hands with one of his.
Nodding, I swallow hard.
He gives me a reassuring squeeze, then orders, “Let’s go.”
Just breathe, Anastasia.