seen Leo tagging along instead, following his typically peaceful friend.
Kade doesn’t appreciate the rescue. He throws Ares an angry look as if he’d prefer him to stay out of it.
“My father is an honorable man,” Kade spits at Vanya. “You know nothing about my family.”
“I know more than you think,” Vanya says, with an air of holding back some secret.
The threat only makes Kade angrier.
“My father has run St. Petersburg flawlessly while Uncle Ivan’s been in America. The business prospers as it never has before. And the dispensaries in America are raining money!”
“Yes, so your father says,” Vanya hisses, his eyes narrowed to slits. “It’s him making the reports, after all . . .”
“If you have something to say, then say it!” Kade cries. “And I’ll break your fucking jaw for you!”
“All right, I will. I think your father is a lying fucking thie—”
Kade rushes at Vanya and I run forward at the same moment, intersecting the two before they meet. I put my back to Kade and shove Vanya so hard that he stumbles backward, falling on his ass on the mats.
Instantly, Bodashka and Silas surge forward, as do Leo and Ares.
I find myself in the bizarre position of facing off against my own friends, with my enemies by my side.
The truth is, I like Kade Petrov better than Bodashka, and I fucking despise Vanya and his father, who are conniving rats, always trying to improve their own standing within the Bratva by tearing down those above them.
I only met Dominik Petrov for a moment, but he seemed like a man of honor. Besides, Ivan Petrov is one of the most feared bosses in all the Bratva. He controls the entirety of St. Petersburg, as well as massive holdings in America where he capitalized upon the legalization of marijuana to open seven of the largest dispensaries on the west coast. I highly doubt his brother would be stupid enough to embezzle money from him, or whatever the fuck Vanya’s trying to imply.
“Back off,” I snarl at Vanya. “If the high table has a problem with Dominik Petrov, then they’ll convene a council.”
“They are,” Vanya smirks. “My father is heading it.”
“Then let them decide if there’s been any malfeasance. It’s not up to you to make accusations.”
“Why are you defending him?” Bodashka says, glaring at Kade. “He and his brother are both the same. Arrogant. Grasping. Above their station.”
“You’re just mad because Adrik beat your brother in the Quartum Bellum three years in a row,” Ares says, staring down Bodashka.
The petty rivalries amongst the Bratva are almost as vicious as those against their foreign foes. There’s antipathy between St. Petersburg and Moscow, between the Paris Bratva and London, and intense jealousy against our brethren in the States.
I’m not familiar with the drama Ares is referencing, but I’m sure he’s right.
It doesn’t matter. I’ve gotten enough shit from the children of Bratva over my own family’s standing. I’m not gonna watch Vanya heap the same abuse on Kade’s shoulders.
“Keep your ignorant opinions to yourself,” I say to Vanya, who has climbed to his feet once more, his handsome features distorted with anger. “It’s none of your concern how the Petrovs run their business.”
“It’s you that should watch yourself, Dmitry,” Vanya sneers. “You ought to learn where to make allies. The Antonovs are rising in Moscow. If you pay your respects, I might find a place for you when Danyl makes me lieutenant.”
I snort. “I’ll find a place for you shining my boots when I earn that spot.”
Vanya opens his mouth to retort, only to be interrupted by Snow clapping his hands sharply, calling the class to order.
“My apologies,” he says. “I was delayed by the Chancellor. I hope you all took the opportunity to warm up, because we’re going directly into drills. Pair up.”
I nod to Kade Petrov. “Want to join me?”
“Sure,” he says, surprised but gratified. I haven’t voluntarily sparred with him before—it’s usually Snow who rotates the more experienced fighters through the younger students.
Snow orders us to grab pads. I slip the targets on my hands so Kade can go first for the drill.
I take him through a jab, hook, cross combo. Kade punches the pads viciously, exorcizing his residual animosity against Vanya.
“Never mind him,” I say to Kade. “He’s a fucking asshole, everyone knows it.”
Kade throws me half a grin. “I thought that’s what everybody says about you. How come you stood up for me?”
“I may hate everybody, but I hate Vanya the most,” I shrug.