Family Over Desire

Dusan

Boris’s presence filled the room like a storm cloud, heavy and suffocating. His sharp gaze flickered to Leni, lingering for a second longer than I liked, but he didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to.

I shifted, subtly placing myself in front of her, blocking his line of sight. “Wait for me in the office,” I said, my voice evenz

Boris held my gaze, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and strode down the hall.

The moment he was gone, I exhaled slowly, turning to Leni. Her face was unreadable, but I could feel the weight of her curiosity pressing against me.

“Stay in your room, please” I told her, pleading.

Her lips parted like she wanted to say something, but she stopped herself as if knowing what would go down in the office.

I didn’t have time to ponder about her silence. I left before she could ask questions, before I could let my heart dictate my actions.

~_~_~_~

Boris sat behind my desk when I entered, his fingers tapping idly against the polished wood.

He nodded curtly towards me, “You took your time.”

I smiled knowingly to myself, soon he'd lose everything.

“You handled Volkov,” he said without any pretense. “Too sloppily might I add.”

I kept my stance relaxed, even as my pulse ticked in my jaw. “He disrespected me.”

Boris huffed a humorless laugh. “He’s still breathing. That tells me you let your emotions get in the way.”

His gaze sharpened, waiting for a reaction. I gave him none.

After a moment, he leaned back, crossing his arms. “Your loyalty is being questioned.”

“By whom?”

He smiled, slow and deliberate. “By me.”

Silence stretched between us.

“That's why I have decided that you will be having a meeting with Irina Vasilieva.”

I stilled. Irina was spineless, even worse than my uncle. She didn't care for anyone or anything. All that mattered was her money and retaining her status as the head

Boris continued as if he hadn’t just put a stop to all of my plans. “The Svetlyye Mafia is growing restless. They want a stronger alliance.” His gaze flickered, sharp with expectation. “You will marry Irina.”

My fingers curled against my palm. “No.”

Boris’s expression didn’t change, but the air in the room shifted. “You don’t have a choice.”

I met his gaze, unflinching. “I do.”

He stood, moving toward me with slow, calculated steps. “You think you’re untouchable, boy?” His voice dropped, dangerously low. “You think you can build and sustain an empire with your pride alone?”

I didn’t answer.

His next words were a whisper, a reminder “Family comes before desire.”

I clenched my jaw so hard it ached. “Is that what you call arranging a marriage?”

Boris tilted his head. “I call it securing our future.” He paused, then added, “Irina is a formidable woman. She won’t tolerate weakness.”

Weakness

I knew what he meant.

Leni.

He didn’t know about her—us, but soon he would.

And when he did, I’d have to decide if I was willing to go to war for her.

~_~_~_~

The conversation wasn’t over, but I’d had enough of his voice for one morning.

I walked to the bar in the corner of the room, pouring myself a drink with slow, deliberate movements. The ice clinked against the glass as I took a sip, letting the burn ground me.

Boris watched, amused. “You’re thinking too much. That’s a dangerous habit.”

I set my glass down. “And forcing a marriage isn’t?”

“Love marriage doesn't exist here and you know it perfectly well.” He shrugged. “Irina is the head of her family. She needs a husband who won’t flinch when blood stains his hands. That should be you.” He took a step closer. “Unless, of course, you’ve gone soft.”

I smirked, but there was no humor in it. “Soft? That’s the second time you’ve mistaken my patience for weakness. Don’t make it a third.”

Boris chuckled, but his eyes stayed sharp. “Then prove it.”

His words lingered, the unspoken challenge clear.

Prove it.

Prove that I was still the man he raised me to be.

Prove that I wasn’t distracted.

Prove that Leni was nothing.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I downed the rest of my drink, letting the silence answer for me.

Boris took his cue. He adjusted his cuffs, then strode toward the door. He paused just before stepping out, casting me one final look.

“Think it over,” he said. “Don’t disappoint me.”

Then he was gone.

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair, the weight of the conversation pressing down on me.

Marry Irina. Secure the alliance.

Forget Leni.

I closed my eyes, but all I saw was her, I was screwed and not the good kind.

The time to take action has come, I wasn't going to let Boris ruin years of hard work for me.

“VIKTOR!”