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This takes him by surprise if the slight shift in his posture and the frown on his forehead are anything to go by.
“I have to warn you, though,” I say in a low voice. “It’s going to cost you.”
Dimitri straightens his back and waves a dismissive hand. “Name it. It won’t be an issue.”
“Very well,” I declare in a short voice, a small smile slowly sneaking onto the corners of my lips. “I’ll give you access to all the weapons you need, and in return, you’ll give me your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Pure shock flickers in his eyes, and I can almost hear Igor and Aleksander’s brains spinning, desperately searching for a way out.
Not receiving an answer, I continue, “No one can protect her like I can. Hell, if you reject my offer, you’ll all be dead within a week. Once she agrees to become my wife, our union will guarantee the cooperation of both parties.”
“Volkov,” Dimitri starts, searching for the proper words. The man’s got it all, but whether his fortune will last depends on his answer.
Still, his eagerness to buy so many weapons is an indication that his reign as the pakhan is not as safe as he’d like it to be.
My hands drop to my thighs and my legs spread under the desk as I lean closer to him. “Let’s be honest for a moment. No one wants to fight you. You’ve worked hard to conquer New York City, but to survive, sometimes compromises have to be made.”
He gives me a long stare, one in which I catch a glimpse of the uncertainty that gnaws at him.
I nod toward his son. “You shouldn’t have to die for him.”
“This isn’t right,” Igor challenges me, his voice barely above a whisper, but Dimitri throws him a warning glance, and he immediately clamps his mouth shut.
Aleksander reaches for his brother’s shoulder, trying to calm him, but Igor’s reaction makes perfect sense. Never before has someone dared to make such a brazen demand from the Sokolov family.
“What will it be, Mr. Sokolov?” I provoke, twisting my lips into a forced smile.
He places both his arms back on the table and leans closer. “Do you think you’ve impressed me with the way you’ve built your life, son?” He shakes his head dismissively.
“Like everyone before you, I’ve worked hard and made sacrifices.”
His voice drops lower as he points one of his thick fingers at my face. “No one lives forever.”
“And you’ll be the first one to attest to that,” I grumble as my fist aches to slam against my desk. But I hold back. He still hasn’t declined my offer. I decide to push and put another nail in his coffin.
“Or, perhaps, I should contact Gargarin and see what he’s willing to offer me for a shipment of guns.” I smirk, forcing his hand.
I’ve had my eye on his daughter for a while now, biding my time ever since I first saw her. And now is finally the time to get what I want.
Dimitri’s eyes burn with anger, but he’s realizing he has no other options. I don’t need him to say the words to know that I’ve won. I get to my feet and put my hand out for him to take. Dimitri’s deep blue orbs watch mine warily as he pushes himself to his feet and, with a stiff posture, grabs my hand.
“We have a deal then,” I conclude as we shake. “Will you tell her, or should I?”
TWO
KATARINA
“Kata!”
I groan as Igor’s deep voice invades my dreams, making me aware of the pounding headache that threatens to make me vomit on the floor. One of my eyes cracks open, but the bright sunlight stings, so I slam it back shut and throw the soft pillow over my head.
“Go away!” I snap from my messy bed as my hands fly to my aching temples.
“No can do. Papa has something to tell you,” he insists.
The determination in his voice tells me it can’t wait. My plan of sleeping until noon is now ruined anyway. It wouldn’t matter much if I hadn’t spent the entire Friday night working at a music event where the artist I’ve been trying to sign was playing. Being a talent scout sucks when my family decides to interfere with my beauty sleep.
Whatever it is that my father wants me to know, it cannot possibly be more important than me recharging my batteries. Even the smallest mishap at work could make them doubt that I’m the right person for the job.
