Lies of My Monster: A Dark Mafia Romance(65)

The three of us sat there for hours. They laid out their conditions, and I put mine forward.

It wasn’t just words—we had to sign a contract in blood so that if one of us backed out, he’d be outed in front of the entire organization as a coward who doesn’t keep their word.

It’d be career suicide, basically. Sergei and Igor might be old, but they’ve spent decades in the Bratva, and they consider its values sacred.

Me? I want to be at the top. No matter what it fucking takes.

Even if it means selling my soul to the devil. If I’m at the top, I can bring that devil to his knees in front of me. I will be able to do whatever the fuck I please, and no one would dare hurt those close to me.

I sit behind my desk in the club, building the dozenth house of cards in the past hour.

Viktor is opposite me on the sofa with a laptop on his lap, probably watching some security footage. He likes to show small clips to the guards and remind them how sloppy they are.

It’s no secret that they prefer Sasha over him. She’s compassionate, more attuned to their needs than they are, and often goes out of her way to do their job if they’re feeling under the weather.

The air in the house has become lighter since the birthday party a couple of months ago. And it’s all because Sasha puts in the effort and gently pushes everyone else to do the same.

She even took Karina out to the nearby park for a whole fifteen minutes. She brought her back after she had a numbing panic attack; however, my sister was smiling soon after and talked to me about the air and the bees and even the children she saw there.

I still don’t like that Sasha is close to Konstantin. He’s an asshole who might use her against me, but the stubborn little shit doesn’t seem to think that’s the case and says nonsense like:

“I think he’s deeply misunderstood.”

“Have you ever thought that maybe he’s being corrupted by Yulia? Or that, when you left, you didn’t only abandon Karina but also Konstantin?”

“Can you consider giving him another chance? Or at least listen to what he has to say?”

“At this point, threatening and antagonizing him every time you see him is doing more damage than good. Can you try not jumping down his throat the moment you see him?”

I said yes to the last one if she’d think of him as invisible and never talk to him again. To which she glared and said, “No.”

I’m often tempted to grab her by the throat and drag her into the nearest dark corner whenever she does that. Her defiant side can be such a fucking turn-on.

Her whole presence is. I don’t know the reason, but she’s been becoming more and more beautiful. To the point where I often have these dark thoughts about locking her up where no one can see.

To the point where I’m on the edge whenever she’s not here.

Like right now.

She and the others are doing the rounds downstairs, but I couldn’t be bothered to show interest in that. Tonight, the Pakhan is throwing a party that no one knows the reason behind.

Everyone is expected to be there, though, including our families, and if anyone misses it, there will be repercussions.

So I actually have to put up with Yulia’s presence. The look on her face after everything falls in place might be worth it, though.

“Boss.” Viktor’s voice breaks the silence as he stares at me.

“Hmm?”

“Are you still not going to tell us what went down in the room with Igor and the Pakhan two nights ago?”

“No.”

“Since when do you hide things from me?”

“You’re not my wife last I checked.”

“That’s nonsense. You don’t have to tell your wife everything. But you have to tell me.”

I smile, but I don’t say anything.

“Boss.”

“What now?”

“Remember when you told me Lipovsky likes men?”

The card I’m holding remains suspended in midair as I lift my head and look at Viktor. “I do. What about it?”

“I think the man he likes is you.”

It takes superhuman strength to stop my lips from curving into a smirk and, instead, speak in a casual tone. “Oh? What made you come to that conclusion?”

“He watches you all the time.”

“You watch me all the time, too. Does that mean you like me, Viktor?”

His solemn expression doesn’t change. “This is different. He has this weird look on his face, and he does it when you’re not paying attention.”

Interesting.

“I’m sure it’s nothing.” I place two cards together.

“Or it is something, and you need to be careful.”

“Me? Careful of Lipovsky?”

“Well, he’s the night guard. Maybe I should take over for now.”

“Nonsense.” I wave him away.

Just in time, the door opens, and Sasha walks inside with Yuri and Maksim on either side of her.

Would it be possible to send those two on a holiday for the next two years?

Actually, make that ten years.

“We should go back to the house so you can get ready for tonight’s party.” She speaks in her calm ‘manly’ voice.

Her hair is growing longer again and reaches below her ears. It’s like she does it on purpose to feel like a woman again, but then when she starts looking too feminine, she cuts it off.