It just may explain why the men didn’t seem to trust me. Why I was watched but not approached, why, when I came in, the guard just inside turned away, something I noted but dismissed.
Do these people in this bratva see me as a traitor because I’m so connected to Demyan? I know Demyan and his integrity. It makes me question the ideological bent of my grandfather.
But I don’t think they crossed paths, not on any real level, so maybe it was strong men clashing through the filter of different allies.
I sigh. “I understand their skepticism. And I understand if the senior men don’t trust me, then how can I expect the soldiers to? I’d be skeptical too, if the roles were reversed.” I look at Melor. “I’ll prove my loyalty.”
“I believe you will.” He nods. “But it’ll take time. And may I suggest you perhaps distance yourself from the Yegorov Bratva?”
Fuck. “That might be difficult, considering I’m marrying Alina Yegorov.”
Melor’s brows rise. “Then perhaps you can find a way to harmonize the two bratvas. I’m here for whatever you need of me.”
“I was going to move in tonight, but I’ll perhaps move things in and give them a chance to accept.”
“As you wish,” Melor says.
I stand and hold out my hand. He takes it.
“Thanks, Melor. I’ll be in touch soon.”
I’m at home,organizing the bag I need to take. In the end, I sent most of my clothes over, but I’ll spend tonight sorting things and then sleep in the guest room so I can be there bright and early tomorrow.
I have work for Demyan, too.
I pick up my whiskey and take it to the sofa where my Chinese food’s sitting, and I look at the information Melor sent to me.
My phone rings, and I smile at the name that appears on my phone.
“Ilya,” Alina says, her sweet voice sliding into me. “You didn’t call. How did it go?”
I hesitate for a split second. “Fine.”
I don’t want to bother her with teething problems. The men will come around and accept me once they get to know me.
“It seems you’ll be moving somewhere way more exciting than my duplex,” I tell her.
“A mansion, isn’t it?”
“A mansion you can redo however you want.” I pause. “You’ll be impressed. When do you want to move in?”
She falls silent. “I think…I think our wedding night makes sense.”
Wedding night. There’s something about the catch in her voice and the words themselves that send dirty fantasies spinning through my head. My cock gets hard.
Thank fuck this is a phone call and she can’t see me.
“Have you spoken to Demyan?” she asks, killing my erection in one fell swoop.
My mouth twists. “Get off the phone. I’ll go do it now.”
Her laughter rings in my head as she hangs up, but it does nothing to stop the anxiety as I call Demyan.
I quickly, quietly explain the inheritance, obviously leaving out the part about Alina. And I don’t tell him that the men seem to have an issue with my relationship with him. That’s something that’ll fall into place with time.
“Anything you need, let me know,” he says. “If you need me to swing by the Belov compound here, I will.”
“No, it’s all good.”
