Satin Princess(81)

I nod. “But what makes you think Yaromir is smart enough to know what the smartest move to make is?”

Yulian chews on his bottom lip as he considers the options. “Even if he’s not prepared to challenge you, what if Marina has convinced him otherwise?”

Lev nods. “She can be convincing when she wants to be.”

“Especially with men,” I muse. Yulian snorts, and I jerk my gaze towards him. “Something funny?”

He shrugs. “I just think it’s ironic. You keep saying she’s good at getting what she wants where men are concerned… But you’ve been the only exception.”

“Which is why she seems intent on making me regret it.”

“Your meeting with Yaromir is in a few days,” Lev reminds me.

“That’s too far away. We need to move it up. I don’t want to discuss this on the phone with him. I need to be able to see his face. If he lies to me, I’ll know.”

I walk over to my desk. Lev and Yulian follow me. I dial in Yaromir’s direct number and wait for him to pick up.

“Anton,” Yaromir greets, his voice shaking a little.

I keep my tone casual, unconcerned. “Yaromir, how is the don life treating you?”

“It’s more work than I expected.”

“Inheriting the second-largest Bratva in the city is no easy job to adjust to. I don’t envy your position.”

“Well, I have an ally in you,” Yaromir says. “Which eases my mind somewhat.”

I look up at my two most trusted Vors, and I know they’re thinking what I’m thinking. The fact that he’s reminded me of my promised friendship is a good sign. He’s counting on our continued alliance.

“You most certainly have my support,” I say. “Now, I’m calling to ensure yours.”

“Is my support in question?”

“I have something important I need to discuss with you,” I say. “But I’d rather not do it over the phone.”

“We’re meeting three days from now—”

“I’m afraid we’ll need to bring this meeting forward. Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow. I… I’ll move some things around.”

“Excellent. Same time and place then.”

“Very well.”

I hang up. Yulian is staring at the phone and Lev is looking at me.

“I don’t think he’s aware that Marina’s alive,” Lev says. “He’s too desperate for your approval.”

“It could be an act,” Yulian suggests.

I scoff at the same time that Lev answers. “Yaromir is not that good an actor. The man is nothing but a lot of false bravado.”

“I agree.”

“If that is true. Can we trust him to handle Marina for us?” Yulian asks.

“He won’t be the one handling anything,” I say. “I’ll handle it. He’s merely going to be the tool I use to trap her.”

Yulian looks doubtful. “She’s going to have her own spies within the Ivanov camp.”

“She very well may,” I say. “Which is why we’re not meeting here or at the Ivanov premises.”

“Where are we meeting him then?” Yulian asks curiously.

“I’ve sent him those details separately. He’ll show up at the appointed time and place with only two men in tow. Same as me.”

“How can you be sure you can trust the two men he’ll bring with him?” Yulian asks.

“Because I suggested he bring them. I told Yaromir they were the most competent and skilled fighters in the Ivanov ranks.”

“That doesn’t answer my question,” Yulian says.

I smirk. “Both the men work within the Ivanov Bratva, but they answer to me.”

Yulian’s eyes go wide. “I didn’t realize you had spies there.”

“I have spies everywhere.”

Yulian gives me an impressed smile. “I gotta say, brother, you think of everything. Guess you have Papa to thank for that.”

“Don’t be smug,” I growl. “I’m here today because of me, not because of Otets.”

“So if he were to rise from the dead to tell you he’s proud, you wouldn’t care?”

I shake my head. “You care too much about other people’s approval, Yulian,” I say. “You’d have made a terrible don.”

“The key is delegation.” He smirks. “If I were don, I’d have made you do all the grunt work.”

“So you understand my position then?”

He shoots me a glare and gets to his feet. “I better go do the rounds. If there are any more leads, I’ll let you know.”

I nod and Yulian heads out.

When he’s gone, Lev turns to me. “Isn’t it nice when we’re all getting along?”

I roll my eyes. “You are getting overly sentimental. I think it’s time you found a woman so she can listen to this crap instead of me.”

“Have you thought about it?” Lev asks abruptly.

“About what?”

“Marrying Jessa,” he says.

The question takes me off guard a little. “I never intended to get married again.”

“But you care about her.”