Throne of Power (Throne Duet #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,9
we agree on that, we will move to the next topic.” Sergei clears his throat to get everyone’s attention. “I served the brotherhood with my life, sweat, and blood, just like you. But as everyone knows, I’m getting old. There will be a time where I will have to step down as Pakhan.”
I swallow as the weight of his words falls on me. Is this why everyone is here, Adrian included? Sergei isn’t possibly planning to tell them about his cancer, right?
“I have decided that the future Pakhan will be a member of the elite group. I will consider everyone carefully for the next few months, and when it’s time to choose someone, it will be one of you.”
They straighten in their seats, the greed for power filling some of their eyes. The fire burning inside me threatens to spill like a volcano ready to eradicate anything in its path.
I can’t believe Sergei is giving away the family legacy to these wolves so easily.
“However, I want my daughter married into one of your families. Consider it a blessing in advance.”
Mikhail moves in his seat, ready to suggest his asshole sons, but I cut him off. “No.”
Vlad shakes his head at me, probably at the tone I used.
“What do you mean by ‘no’?” Sergei’s voice has an edge to it that declares his word is the first and last. I might be his grandniece, but family knows better than to defy him in front of the members of the brotherhood.
“No, Anastasia isn’t ready to get married yet.” I smooth my tone. “She knows nothing about becoming a wife.”
“And whose fault is that?” Igor mutters. “You’ve been sheltering her like she’s a stray kitten.”
That’s because she needs sheltering in this world, but I don’t say that since it’ll most definitely be used against me. I can’t allow myself any loopholes, even if it’s Ana.
“You want the Sokolov name to live on, right?” I gulp. “I will do it.”
“Color me surprised! I thought you’d be a spinster for life.” Damien pauses dramatically, then mimics a claw with his hand. “Marry me, tigress.”
“In your dreams, asshole.”
“You will really get married?” Sergei asks in an unsure tone.
“Yes, but I get to choose.”
My granduncle motions ahead. “Then choose.”
“Poor motherfucker,” Kirill mutters under his breath.
“Careful, or I might choose you,” I taunt, even though that will never happen. This table is full of alpha assholes who will either lock me up or make me go crazy or both.
“Spare us the suspense and choose.” Damien rubs his hands together. “Here’s a hint. Me.”
“I said, not you.” My gaze roams until it lands on Kirill. He pauses, probably thinking I will go on with my threat. “Not Kirill either, for reasons. He can’t handle me.”
He fixes his glasses and flips me off discreetly. I ignore him and continue on.
“Not Vlad. He’s like my brother. Obviously not Adrian, because he’s already married—unless we can move to a country that allows a second wife?”
His expression remains the same. “I’m flattered, but I’m going to decline the offer, Miss Sokolov.”
“Pity.” I pretend to be bummed.
“That leaves Mikhail and Igor’s sons,” Sergei says.
I meet Mikhail’s gaze with a smile. “You have two sons, right?”
“I do.”
“Last I checked, they were boys.”
“They grew up. My eldest is thirty.”
“Age doesn’t mean maturity. They’re still boys. I wonder where they got that from.”
“Rai.” It’s Sergei who reprimands me. “That clearly eliminates Mikhail’s offspring, which leaves you with Igor’s. We will go with the eldest, Alexei.”
“Wait—no.” My eyes widen despite myself. Alexei is even worse than Igor, and he’s someone I’m definitely more wary of than his father. I can’t marry him. He’s a traditionalist and strict to a fucking fault.
He’ll smother me before I know it.
Maybe I should’ve picked one of Mikhail’s idiot sons after all, but that would mean having the asshole as a father-in-law. No thanks. He hates me enough without family relations.
Dammit. How did I get myself cornered with Alexei? Think, Rai, think. I need to get myself out of this.
“Alexei isn’t my eldest, Pakhan.” Igor’s calm voice cuts into my thoughts. “I have finally found my long-lost eldest son who we thought we lost in a car crash. In fact, I meant to introduce him to you today. He’s waiting outside.”
“Congratulations, Igor,” Sergei says without his usual note of firmness.
The others follow suit, and he thanks them one by one, even though his expression remains the same.
“Let him in,” my granduncle orders after they finish.