Arranged Bratva Love

Ive

“You need to get your wife a puppy,” Ivan said, taking a seat in my office. Rage was due to arrive any minute.

I’d woken up to knocking on the door. Cassie had arrived at exactly seven o’clock with the intention of spending the whole day with her sister. I had no idea Cassie was such a morning person. Charlotte hadn’t responded to the door, but I had, and seeing Cassie first thing in the morning wasn’t good for my mood. It had pissed me off.

I left the two sisters and made my way to my casino office, where Ivan was already waiting. He was in a chipper mood. It was rare for me to see him in any other kind of mood. I’d rarely seen him lose his temper.

“And you know this how?” I asked.

“Talking to your wife, of course. Did you know when she was younger, shefound a stray? Yeah, this dog made her so happy and she was going to keep it, but because her dad didn’t want her happy, he took it from her.”

My hands clenched into fists andI was tempted to swipe the contents of my desk onto the floor. Demon got an easy death. The more I learned about that man, the more I didn’t like him. Charlotte had been a mistake on our part, but I’m so fucking pleased we got her, and not Cassie. I have a feeling if Cassie had been taken, Charlotte would have paid the price.

Ididn’t want to think about my wife right now. Last night I had offered her anything her heart desired. I expected her to pick a shopping spree, or ask for credit cards, or to go traveling-anything. And she had asked for a kiss, not just any kiss, but a proper kiss between a husband and a wife. And that kiss had played in my mind since.

“Are you wishing we kept him alive?” Ivan asked.

“Yes.”

“And this is why you never act in the heat of the moment. You allow things to fester, and you’re calm.” Ivan smiled.

“Is that why you haven’t decided between The Butcher or The Beast to take over from Oleg?” I asked.

Ivan shrugged.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

“So it is them.”

“It’s not like it’s a shock. They’re the onlytwo people capable of bringing order to the territory.”

“Why not just makea decision?” I asked.

“I like to make sure I’m making the right decision and I like to have certain things in play before I decide.”

“The longer you leave it, the higher the riskof that territory being reclaimed.”

“True, unless I already have plans in place.” Ivan pressed his finger to his lips. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“So, a puppy?”

“Yes.”

I stared at Ivan and thought about him at my home with Charlotte. He seemed close to her lastnight. I’d not had the chance to call Slavik and Andrei yet.

“Are you attracted to my wife?” I asked.

This made Ivan chuckle. He lifted his watch and smiled. “You took your time. I expected you to ask me the moment I showed up. Instead, you waited a goodtwenty minutes. You are showing patience.”

“You know I’m apatient man.”

“No, you’re a patient man when it comes to extracting information, unless you’re in a desperate situation. You’ve always been a man of action, Ive. That’s not going to change.”

“You’ve not answered my question.”

“Because you know the answer to it, my friend. If I was attracted to Charlotte, she wouldn’t be your wife.”

I knew that.

“Why are you spending time with her?” I asked.

Ivan tutted. “I spend time with all new wives.”

“Yes, but Charlotte is the first you’ve given your blessing to so quickly.”

“That is true. I will arrange for her ink once we’ve dealt with this order of business,” Ivan said.

“What is it about her?” I asked.

Ivan turned his head toward me. “You don’t know? I’mpretty sure we can both agree that Charlotte is a wonderful person.”

I got up from my seat and moved to the front of my desk. I leaned against it and folded my arms across my chest as I stared at the man who’d granted me everything I ever wanted. All I had to do was be loyal. I would die for this man.

Ivan had been true to his word. He never lied. He never offered false promises, and he never turned his backon any of his men. I admired him. The power had never gone to his head and I had to wonder if that was because he made a point of being hands-on.

Most Bratva bosses had men deal with their brigadiers. There were spies, and the Boss stayed out of the line of fire. Ivan was always there. Always willing to shoot and take the bullet.

“She’s been through a lot,” I said. Her scars tell the whole story.

“You see the darkness in her eyes, Ive. We know some of what she’s been through. We met her at eighteen, and for eighteen years, she was at the mercy of a man who couldn’t stand her. A man who wouldn’t even let her have a dog to love. He wanted her to be alone. I have to wonder what she would choose if you offered her a life of luxury or the undying love of a man?”

I thought about last night. Charlotte had wanted a kiss. She hadchosen affection.

“If you gave her a chance, Ive, I have a feeling you both would be very happy.”

“She’s young.”

“And she has only experienced pain and loss. We both know what that’s like. We were able to fight back. She didn’t have that luxury. I’m not attracted to Charlotte, Ive. She has my compassion. Even after everything she’s been through, she was willing to give me a chance, and I imagine she will give you a chance as well.”

“Achance at what?” I asked.”To protect her. To do what no one else has ever been able to do. I feel that Charlotte wants to belong, she wants to be loved, she wants to be cherished. I also believe she fears it. You see, rejection is easy. She has lived with that all her life, but love is scary for her, and that I find so very sad.”

I think this had to be one of the longest conversations on feelings I’ve ever had with Ivan. I didn’t like it and I was more than pleased when Rage knocked on the door. I called for him to come in, and right behind him followed Hank Belafonte. Rage had told us last night that he could make the arrangements to bring Hank in.

Two of my men held a thrashing Hank. There was a gag on his mouth, his hands were tied, and there was blood dripping from his nose.

“I offer you Hank Belafonte. Hank, I’d like you to meet those men you’ve told me whose days are numbered. I believe they would like a word with you.”

I nod at my men to take him down to the basement. They know where to go without any of the casino guests being aware of what was happening.

“Well, that was a lot easier than I thought it would be,” Ivan said, getting to his feet.

“He’s in serious belief the Volkov Bratva is going down,” Rage said.

I glance at Rage, and then follow Ivan as we make our way out of my office and down the long flight of stairs, toward the basement. Hankis already chained up by the time we arrive. He has a shiner decorating half of his face.

“You betrayed us,” Hank said.

This made me chuckle. “Rage was never on your side. Didn’t you hear? Volkov Bratva and the Evil Savages MC are bound together by family.”

Hank spat on the floor. I have to say I liked his spirit. “They gave you the sister they didn’t want. They turned their backs on you the moment a better offer was on the table. That slut meant nothing.”

Drawing my arm back, I punch him right in the nose. Anger fills every single part of my body. No one, and I mean, no one, calls my wife a slut. Screams erupt in the basement and we’ve tied Hank’s arms behind him, so there’s no chance of him escaping.

“You broke my nose,” Hank said.

“It’s not the onlything I’m going to break.”

I want to kill him, but that would be too easy of a death. No, I want to take my time.

Ivan’s going to want to question him, and I only hoped he decided to be stupid. Once he was stupid, I could have my fun with him.

Steppingback, I see specks of blood on my knuckle, and I pull out a handkerchief to clean the mess.

“You didn’t like him calling Lottie a slut,” Rage said.

I ignore Rage and concentrate on Ivan. Ivan had pulledover a chair from across the room, and he moved to sit, crossing one leg over the other, and then staring at Hank. He didn’t say a word.

I’d seen this side of Ivan often, the calm businessman approach. He was in total control, and then I’d also seen him completely lose it, and I knew Ivan scared a lot of men. Many of his own as well. Ivan wasn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty. He asked for one thing from his men, and that was loyalty.

“What the fuck do you want?” Hank asked.

There weretears running down his eyes as he tried to control himself.

“I don’t think you and I have been properly introduced,” Ivan said. “I’m Ivan Volkov, the man you intended to kill, and take over my territories and businesses.” He doesn’t offer a hand, but I see the surprise on Hank’s face.

“You’re … you’re dead.”

“Oh, didn’t you get the memo? That was a bit of fun.” Ivan chuckled.

The fear in Hank’s face was clear to see, even his lip trembled.

“What’s the matter? Didn’t think it was true that I was miraculously alive?” Ivan sighed. “Trust me, I’ve had worse.”

This made mesmile.

“So, you and…” Ivan clicked his fingers, and turned toward me. “What was the other guy’s name?”

“Benjamin Court.” I told him the name, but he knew. I’d never caught Ivan at a loss. It was part of his superpower to know everyone and everything.

“That’s right. You and good old Benji have decided to take over my territory. You couldn’t be satisfied with the tiny pieces we gave you, you had to attempt to take over.” Ivan tutted.

With every second that passed, Hankbecame more afraid. I was expecting more, but then he was a guy who terrorized women.

“Now, forgive me, Hank, but I have to wonder if this was all your idea or if someone put you up to this? The warehouse that headed toward the docks, the women, the way they were drugged and taken. It all seems a little sloppy to me. Why don’t you tell me who you work for?” Ivan asked.

Hank’s eyes went wide and he shook his head. “I don’t work for anyone.”

“So, you want me and everyone here to believe that you and Benjamin decided to go from petty crime to suddenly thinking you could rule this city?”

Ivan turned back to me. “Who ruled this city before us?”

“The Irish,” I said, knowing he already knew the answers.

He clicked his fingers. “That’s right, and I know for a fact the cartel haven’t been too pleased with my being alive.”

Hank shook his head. I wanted him to stay silent.

“Come on, Hank, don’t you thinkit’s in your best interest to tell us what’s going on?” Ivan asked. “I can make a deal with you, if you talk, that is. I know Ive here is begging to use some of his cages. They’ve been a little empty the past couple of weeks. I think he’s already dealt with David, isn’t that right?”

Again, he didn’t need me to say anything, but Hank shook his head. He wouldn’t talk. Even though he feared Ivan and what could happen to him, it would seem he feared the repercussions of talking. Stupid, fucking idiot. He was going to die anyway. We’d at least have made it quick, but now, that was not going to happen.

His foolish actions gave me something to look forward to.