Empire of Sin (Empire #2) by Rina Kent

The likes of him kidnap, torture, and kill for the mere fun of it.

My insides crumble to my feet and my heart beats out of rhythm.

This is just a nightmare, right? The worst nightmare possible.

If I blink, I’ll wake up and put this whole thing behind me.

But when I slam my eyes shut and open them again, reality crashes into me with no introductions or preparation.

My gaze meets the one who’s grabbing me savagely. Aleksander. The same Aleksander who I should’ve known wouldn’t just forget that incident in the restaurant from a few weeks ago.

He stares at me blankly, his light eyes resembling an icy storm, not to be budged or survived. They’re the same as his hold on me—merciless, savage, and with a coldness that will soon freeze me to death.

And that’s not the worst part.

No matter how violent and efficient Aleksander is, he’s only the right-hand man of a much more dangerous opponent.

And sure enough, when I look ahead, I find his boss. One of the four kings, the most secretive, the most cunning, and the one who might as well be the deadliest.

Kirill sits on my sofa, flipping through one of the takeout menus. But seeing him isn’t what nearly makes me go into a full on panic mode.

It’s the fact that he’s not alone.

Beside him is the strongest man in the Bratva. Some even say he’s more powerful than my father. He’s not only the strategist and the brains, but he’s also the most ruthless man I’ve ever known.

Adrian Volkov.

And he’s going through my spare laptop, his fingers typing at supersonic speed.

Shit. Shit.

“Come join us, princess,” Kirill says with absolute nonchalance, still flipping through the menus. “Let her go, Sasha.”

Aleksander—whose nickname in Russian is Sasha—shoves me forward and I wince as I massage my wrist.

“Now, Sasha,” Kirill reprimands in a tone that suggests he’s used to his senior guard’s brute ways. “No hurting the Pakhan’s only daughter…yet.”

My lips tremble, but it’s not just because of Kirill’s unveiled threat or the fact that he and Aleksander found me, it’s Adrian.

I can’t stop looking at him, even though he hasn’t acknowledged my existence yet. He’s tall, dark, and has an imposing presence that sparks fear without him having to do anything.

His reputation precedes him. Of all people, I’m well aware of how he erases his enemies when they show the slightest bit of disrespect. Anyone in the world I came from avoids his wrath with any means necessary. The moment he puts someone in his sights, they might as well be considered dead.

One thing’s for certain: his loyalty only lies with the Bratva and his family.

And as a runaway, I don’t belong to the Bratva anymore. So if he chooses to, he could shoot me in the head and cover up the whole incident as if it didn’t happen.

Kirill will sure as hell take his side, not mine. Especially since he’s been not-so-subtly eyeing my father’s position for a while now.

Everyone in the Bratva has.

The king’s throne is the most coveted spot. The princess’s only role is to nod her head and be used by whomever the king sees fit.

That’s why I left.

That’s why I risked Adrian’s wrath, Kirill’s violence, and everyone else’s death sentence.

“Did you recognize me a few weeks ago?” I ask Kirill, my attention bouncing between him and Adrian.

I don’t even attempt to run again. It’s useless since not only is Aleksander standing at my back like a demon ready to strike, but I’m sure that Adrian’s senior guards are also surrounding the place or hiding somewhere I can’t see.

He never goes anywhere unprepared, and he sure as hell wouldn’t give me a chance to escape or leave until he’s through with what he’s here for.

“I suspected it, yes.” Kirill smirks, throwing the menu on the table. “I must admit you did a great job, but it wasn’t perfect enough to fool me. Besides, your mannerisms will always give you away, Anastasia.”

I never wanted to hear my name pronounced the Russian way again. It feels like I’m back in the confinements of that prison, unable to use my fairy wings that I always dreamed would let me fly.

“The Pakhan, Rai, and dear Vladimir said you were continuing your studies in Russia. So it didn’t make sense for you to be roaming the streets of New York as an unflattering version of yourself.” Kirill tilts his head to the side. “Am I right?”

My lips part, my mind stuck on the bit of information he just revealed.

The fact that Papa, my cousin, Rai, who’s the head of the Bratva’s legal front, V Corp, and Vladimir, who’s always been like a big brother to me, said I was in Russia.

I obviously wasn’t. They had no idea where I was, except for the note I left saying, “I’m sorry.”

But they…covered up for me?

My eyes fill with unwanted tears at that thought, the fact that they protected me from everyone else. That they didn’t let me take the fall, even though I was prepared for that.

Even though I should’ve taken it.

I’ve been part of the brotherhood for fifteen years, and I know better than anyone that any betrayal’s punishment is death.

No matter who or what you are.

Papa, Rai, and Vladimir didn’t allow that. Despite being the strictest people when it comes to the Bratva’s code, they bent it for me.