Page 47 of Savage Truce

Even though he pisses me off, my tone remains commanding as I reply, “Careful, Oleg. Are you sure you want to follow Yegor to the grave? Because that’s where this ends.”

“Pig!” he shouts. “I will avenge Yegor.”

“You and me. Face to face. If you’re too old to fight, choose a man willing to die for you. We settle this old school. Winner takes it all.”

He snorts. “You’ve always been too savage. That’s your problem, Volkov. Young, stupid, and have an unquenchable thirst for power you didn’t earn. I want Anastasia. She will marry my son.”

A dark chuckle rumbles from my chest. “Anastasia is mine.”

“I will pardon you if you hand her over to me. I’ll let you and your family leave Russia, never to return. Just give the girl to me.”

“I don’t like repeating myself,” I growl.

“Give me the last member of the Fedorov bloodline!” he shouts.

Done with the conversation, I end the call and dial Andrei’s number.

“What’s up?”

“Sokolov won’t back down. Tell all the captains to prepare their men for attacks.”

“What’s the old man’s problem?” my friend snaps.

“He wants to be pakhan and for me to hand over Anastasia.”

“Are you still going out tonight?”

“Yes.” I walk into my office and shut the door. “The date is very important and can’t be canceled.”

“I’ll be there at six-thirty to guard you myself,” Andrei says, his tone telling me no amount of arguing will change his mind.

“Thanks, moy brat.”

As I end the call, I drop down in the chair behind my desk and rub my fingers over my beard.

Hopefully Zubkob, Yeltsin, and Popov will fall in line and not follow Sokolov.

Blyadʹ, I don’t want to lose more men in this war.

Waiting for Sokolov to attack is not an option. He played his hand and made it clear he won’t accept me.

I have to eliminate him as soon as possible.

Taking a chance, I dial the new number I got for Rosie.

“Wow, and here I thought you forgot about me after all the time we spent together,” the capo, who I helped save, answers the call. “Seriously, I thought we formed a friendship. You only checked on me once? What’s up with that shit?”

“Hi, Rosie,” I chuckle, a wide smile curving my lips. “How have you been?”

“Actually, very good. Enzo asked me to marry him.”

“That’s such great news. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” she replies. “I got the invite to your big day, so congrats is in order for you too. Are you sure about marrying Yegor’s granddaughter, though?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything.”

“Hold up.” Rosie’s voice brims with curiosity. “Did you fall in love with her?”