not that I wanted to, but Dedushka entrusted me with the family name. My mission in life is to protect my family’s honor. Just because I was born a woman, doesn’t mean I’ll let anyone stomp all over me.
But since I knew any resistance would get me, Ana, and Granduncle killed, I gave him the book. With that, Sergei Sokolov became the current Pakhan. The boss. The leader of the brotherhood.
At least on the surface.
Only he and I, along with our most loyal member of the elite group, know that Granduncle has lung cancer he’s been fighting for months.
The moment the rest of the elite group know, it’ll all be over. The Pakhan can’t be weak. He can’t lead the Vory if he can’t stand up straight.
They will remove him and then it will be an all-out war between the four brigadiers, the literal kings who bring money into the brotherhood. The leaders of the security and support group might join too. It will be wolves against wolves, and one thing is for certain—Anastasia and I will either be coerced to marry into their families or killed in the case of disobedience.
Considering my rebellious character, they’ll definitely kill me.
There’s no way in hell they’ll kick me out of the brotherhood that prospered in Dedushka’s time. He started this legacy, and I will continue to uphold it.
While Granduncle has been ruling, I’ve risen up in V Corp’s ranks. It’s the legitimate front of the brotherhood and funnels a lot of money that takes care of most of the tax business.
I snatched the executive director’s post from a greedy associate of the Vory a year ago. In such a short time, V Corp’s net profit grew by fifty percent, and it will continue to in the future.
Granduncle is the CEO, but it’s only in image. In reality, all the work falls on my shoulders.
I’ve never considered it a burden, though, since it’s my way to claim my place at their table. Granduncle began to proudly invite me to the Vory’s meetings due to the accomplishments I’ve been presenting to the brotherhood—but not all of them, apparently, since I wasn’t invited to this one.
Inhaling deeply, I stand in front of the dining room. Its double doors are rimmed with golden ornamentation, and I use the intricate design as an opportunity to meditate.
Right on, war. Here I come.
“Miss Sokolov.” The sound of my last name coming from my left stops me. I stare at Vladimir—or Vlad, as I like to call him.
He’s part of the elite group, a Sovietnik, which is essentially the main coordinator between the Pakhan and the four brigadiers. He plays an important role that keeps the peace between the four brigadiers and makes sure they bring in profit to the Vory.
Vlad is the only member of the elite group that I trust—or more like I trust his loyalty. He was brought in by Dedushka and rose in rank to become who he is today.
Like me, he wants to keep Dedushka’s name in the ruling position.
“Morning, Vlad.”
“It’s either Vova or Vlodya, miss. Don’t use American nicknames on me.” He speaks with a Russian accent, but it’s not as distinctive as everyone else in the brotherhood.
“I will use whatever I want.”
He grunts a response. He does that a lot, grunting and releasing breaths as responses. He’s brooding to a fault, and it especially shows when he expresses how much he really doesn’t like the American half in me or how that half addresses him.
Vlad is generally a grumpy but intense person who barks orders at his soldiers with a tone that’s only meant to be obeyed.
He also has the looks that go with his grumpy personality. I’m not short by any means, but he’s so tall and broad that he blocks my vision whenever he stands in front of me. He dwarfs his suit’s jacket, and his beard adds more to his intimidation factor.
“Now, move, Vlad. I have a meeting to attend.”
His small pale eyes remain the same, but he steps between me and the door. “You were not invited.”
“Still, I have something to say.”
“I think it’s better if you keep your words to yourself, miss.”
“Guess what, Vlad? I don’t care what you think.”
“Miss.”
“Vlad.” I meet his impenetrable gaze with my own.
“You don’t want to be inside.”
“Why not?”
“The four kings are there.”
“The more the merrier. They all need to hear this.”
He grunts. “You cannot embarrass the Vor in front of them. It’s a sign of weakness.”
“I know that, and it’s exactly why