Chapter 4

Nikolai

It goes without saying that there was no opening of any covered face that night or the nights that followed.

In the grand scheme of things, everything played out nicely. Everyone went to bed, not because they lost consciousness, and I did not escort myself to the afterlife because I had hurt my mother. Again. So I’d say it was very splendid. I curse my father’s strong genes that made me out to look like him, rage gathering in my chest as I clench my fists, I feel the need to hunt down the bastard and kill him again. How I wish we could raise the dead.

Irena had planted certain thoughts in my mind that I had spent years running from, and the seed was taking root. I was thinking about what might never be able to happen. What if my mother sees my face and does not die or pass out again or decide to run away from me completely and we are able to finally be a family? You know thoughts should never even have found its way to the comfort of my mind.I shake my head slightly, like it would throw them out. I did not like taking any risk of any sort when it came to Irena, I already lost her once and I was not losing her again.

My mind returns back to Dardan, an Albanian that had been trying and failing to get me to make a deal with him. It didn’t help matters that he was showing characters I did not like in businessmen, while I’d appreciate working with him simply because I managed to kill my last supplier, I did not appreciate being lied to or being cheated and I really did not want to kill him too.

Dardan kept bringing down the price of his ammunition supply because I was not offering him any response. So I sat there trying to figure out how much lower he would go.

“You should be able to agree to forty percent off.” He had a lot of learning to do, nobody ever told Nikolai Bardini what he ‘should’ do.

“For ten crates Nikolai, I think it's a fair trade.” I still do not respond. It was starting to get amusing. He shifts in his chair, discomfort evident in the way he holds himself. Being in the same room negotiating with me was never a comfortable experience. “Fifty percent of the original price or the offer is off the table.”

I suppose that was as low as it was going to get. I rise to my feet and slowly approach him while keeping him pinned under my gaze. Fear clouds his eyes as he takes a little step back. “Firstly, you will never tell me what I should or shouldn't do again. You won’t like the consequences.”

I place a hand on his shoulder before continuing “I accept the terms. But make it forty crates. I’d like it to be delivered by the end of every month, top quality only, Dardan. I would not appreciate it if you mess up.” I stare deep into his eyes till I am sure he understands the consequenes of a fuck up, before turning to leave.

I arrive in my office five seconds before hearing a knock on my door and Dimitri, one of my most loyal men, walks in and sets a file on my table.

“The background check you asked for.” Yes, I had ordered him to look into the artist in the gallery. I had been filled with an unshakeable need to know her and so I had it requested and it certainly wasn’t the worst thing I have done. I pick it up and put a rein on my wish to open the file and start reading it, instead I ask Dimitri about work.

“How is business with the Mexicans?” Dimitri gives me a pointed look. I know the business is fine and he knows I’m just diverting, but he humours me anyway.

“We have signed the exclusive contract for the drug supply with them, they also requested to double the current supply.” I look at him waiting for him to leave but instead he rests against the door and keeps talking. “I see the appeal but I just thought to remind you that the Pakhan has already betrothed you to the Petrovs.” Dimitri is one of the few men that I could lay down my life for, but right now I was feeling tempted to lay down his life.

“I do not intend to be unfaithful to my wife Dimitri.” I say sternly, but knowing Dimitri he was probably just looking for a reaction out of me.

“Exactly, so if you know who you want, who says you can’t go after it?” I really do like the way he thinks. I open the file and find her doe shaped eyes staring at me right out of the paper, her facial features more obvious compared to the strategically placed sparse lighting at night at the gallery. Scanning through Vera’s file I see a picture of her that looks familiar and brush it off as it being familiar because I have seen her before. Until my eyes land on her father’s name and my lips turn up into a smile and I don’t even bother trying to hide it. I had seen that picture briefly when the Pakhan’s soldier had come to deliver news of my betrothal. I should have collected it instead of telling him that I did not need the picture.

Dimitri catches my smile and asks “What were the odds that the artist would be your bride?”

“I’m not sure what they were but I certainly like that they are on my side.” My mind drifts to the day we met when the thought of a certain someone finds its way into my mind. “What happened with the spy we caught?”

“He passed away.” I enjoyed being with him in the dark room for far too long, I really did want to know who he was feeding intel. I guess we’d find out another time.

“And his escort?” What? He had to go too. I didn’t issue threats and did not follow through. It was a terrible trait to have as Capo.

“He died along with him.” See, Dimitri knew me so well.

My mind easily drifts back to the file in my hand, a stray thought enters my mind and I wonder if I would be able to pull it off. I always really liked trouble. Reaching out for my phone, a sly smile plays onto my face.

“Why do I have a feeling that you’re about to do something you shouldn’t?”

I don’t respond, he’d find out what I want to do soon enough.

“Pakhan Igor.” I greet and Dimitri’s eyes narrow in confusion. “How soon can I have my wedding?”

“How soon? I thought you’d be plotting ways to escape the wedding. What changed your mind?”

“I met my bride.” I say with a smile on my face the Pakhan lets out a loud chuckle. “I suppose three days should be enough time to prepare a wedding. Kindly inform Sergi Petrov that the wedding would take place in three days.” Dimiri’s face wore his shocked expression for about five seconds, I had a habit of erratic behaviour sometimes. Things I did no longer shocked him so much.

“I suppose you want it to look like an order from me?” The Pakhan was a very old but very smart man. He saw through half the people in the Russian mafia, and those he couldn’t see through, he had spies around that would do the seeing for him.

“I’d appreciate the gesture.”

“Consider it done, it’s not often that my godson calls me for favours.” When I killed my father the Pakhan had appointed himself as my god father, not that I needed one. He had wanted someone to kill my father for a long time, he just did not want to be the one to issue the order. He and my father had been very close once upon a time. Another fact I’d rather not dwell on.

Dropping the phone back on the table, my hands reach out to her face through the picture caressing her skin. I remember the feeling of her waist in my arms, her body pressed against mine and feeling myself react to her almost immediately.

I could not wait to claim my bride.