knew I wasn’t blood, he’d been one of the few men who’d accepted my position within the organization as I’d grown older. For that, as well as his protection of my father, I’d respected him.
“You do know the anniversary of your father’s death is coming up,” he added.
“Yes.”
I hadn’t visited the grave since he’d been buried; the thought of mourning him in an old cemetery by a block of stone had been too much to bear.
Ivan snorted as he glanced out the window. “When the Petrovs learned of Dimitri’s death, there was an additional price placed on your head. You were found guilty immediately.”
As I’d suspected would happen.
“So you were aware of the assassination demand.”
“You forget who you are dealing with, Sacha. Very little has changed since you left. There are two distinct sides just like before. They have always been prepared for battle. There will always be the hunger for more territory as well as power. I will advise you one last time to return to your new country.”
“As you said, there will be a bigger price on my head. I’m no longer willing to live my life in shadows. It’s time to finish what should have occurred within days of my father’s murder. Michail needs to be punished for his treachery.”
He locked eyes with mine, shaking his head. “You should have ascended to the throne.”
While I wanted nothing more than to tell him the world that I’d lived in wasn’t a kingdom, I’d come to realize that it was exactly like a monarchy. “Establish the meeting. Then be prepared. We are going to war.”
There was no doubt Ivan realized he’d been dismissed.
After easing back, he gave me a respectful nod.
I could tell there was something else he wanted to say. “What’s on your mind, Ivan?”
He seemed uncomfortable, more so than I was used to seeing him. “There are reasons your brother never accepted his leadership role.”
“And that would be?”
“He’s the son of your father’s mistress.”
I wasn’t surprised that Ivan spouted off the words. While I hadn’t been for certain of Michail’s lineage, the remembrance of the conversation I’d overhead between my father and brother had brought the possibility to light. After all, my father had enjoyed several women over the years. “My brother is the firstborn and only son of Maxim Federov. You’ve known that from the day you agreed to honor my father by working with him. I suggest you remember that, Ivan.” I gave him a hard look, searching his eyes.
“I am glad you’re back, Sacha. Your counsel has been sorely missed.”
I didn’t answer him. There was no need. Soon, Moscow and all of Russia would learn that fucking with the Federov Empire wasn’t in their best interest.
And soon, those who’d been responsible for the treachery would learn their fate.
My father’s house. I stood outside the estate, forced to endure several unwanted memories. While I felt extreme sadness, I also had a moment of reverence. I’d been one of the lucky ones, even though the majority of Russians might disagree. Being taken under his wing had at least provided me with the necessities in life as well as a solid education.
I took a deep breath before entering the mansion. The various remaining Brigadiers as well as the made men had been summoned. I’d already learned that their numbers had dwindled over the years, certainly not the force my father had commanded. That was due to Michail’s unusual leadership skills. I didn’t need to learn the details. My brother was a brutal man, exacting revenge on anyone who looked at him the wrong way. Given my brother’s possible defection, at least his betrayal had fueled their anger.
Or so I hoped.
The Petrovs would need to be driven out of the city in order for us to maintain our superiority. If that didn’t happen, my father’s soldiers would be gunned down one by one, their families exterminated in whatever method the Petrovs saw as necessary.
With Michail gone, Ivan had taken over the estate, as well as interim duties handling the affairs of the organization. An unusual move, but one I couldn’t argue with. I wasn’t here to reclaim the house or the would-be throne, merely to right a wrong.
As I walked into the living room, I could see a combination of emotions from anger to relief. In my hand was an assault rifle. I wasn’t taking any chances, nor did I want them to think I’d grown weak in my absence. There was instant quiet in the oversized space,