Page 21 of The Pakhan’s Hidden Heir

His immediate reaction is a good instinct, but I don’t run from trouble.

And I don’t hide from anything.

I face things like a man, and I intend to face this head on.

I turn to him, speaking calmly. “I don’t hide, Akim. You know that.” His face screws up into a scowl, and I continue. “Start a quiet search. Go through the ranks. I want the man who did this found before he can strike again. Use only men you trust completely. No one else hears about this.”

He looks off into the distance, running his tongue along his teeth before he turns back to me, clearly annoyed that I’m not going to go hide. “Done. I’ll handle it personally.” But he’s a good man, and a good friend. If whoever is spreading rumors that Pyotr was plotting against me hears I’m not hiding, they’ll get bold. They did this to him, likely because he tried to stop them.

Detective Harlan clears his throat. “We’ll keep the official report as a botched robbery or rival dispute, you know, buy you time. But if this escalates, even I can’t bury everything.”

“I appreciate the discretion,” I tell him. “Double your usual this month. And keep your ears open.”

He slips back to his partner, and I turn my attention to the body. Pyotr lies on the concrete, blood pooled beneath him.

The sight of it does nothing but stir my inner beast to anger.

A random robbery would’ve shown things missing, so this was more than just that.

I’d say it’s a hit, though not intended for me.

They hoped to send a message to me, and I’m starting to get it.

Someone doesn’t want my heir to come into this world. The timing is too convenient for it to be anything else.

Akim steps closer again. “We should increase security at the house too, boss. I mean you have that woman, and if they know about her⁠—”

“They don’t,” I cut in, but I deeply appreciate how he’s already forward thinking. If they’ll come for me, they’ll come for her too. Which means I must protect her at all costs. “But yes, tighten everything. No one gets near her without your direct say.”

He nods, but the worry lines crease his face.

I will find the man behind this. And when I do, he’ll learn exactly what it costs to turn on Bastian Dravenko.

8

RAINA

Lada arrives at Bastian’s estate for lunch we organized just before noon. Ingrid brings her out to the garden terrace where his staff set a table for us.

This garden is so lush and full of life. With the fountain running behind us, it almost feels like a park that belongs only to me.

I’ve grown really fond of taking lunch out here, and today I get to spend it with my best friend.

Besides, Bastian asked me a few days ago not to leave the grounds for a while.

I don’t know what happened or why, but I can respect that. He’s got a lot on his plate and he probably just can’t spare the manpower to shuttle me to and from outings.

And Lada hasn’t seen this place yet, so inviting her over is a treat for her—and me. I get to show off how good I have it, even if it’s temporary.

When she saunters out onto the patio swathed in thick vines of floral greenery, she looks amazed and stunned. “My god, Raina, look at where you live now! You’re sure we can just sit out here?” She lowers herself into the chair across from me and glances back at the doors like someone’s going to come take her away.

“I mean, I don’t live here. I’m just staying here.”

Gesturing for the water, I smile at Ingrid, who waits patiently, and she walks over to pour Lada a glass of the sparkling water she left chilling for us.

“You’ll be here for like two years or something. That’s living here, girl.”

“Relax,” I say calmly as Ingrid winks at me and backs away. “You’re my guest.”