Heart of My Monster (Monster Trilogy #3) by Rina Kent

I’m the most balanced and lucrative of the bunch, and that’s a fact.

Sergei addresses everyone in the room, “As I announced at the beginning of this year, I’ll be stepping down as Pakhan due to illness. It’s time to bring new blood into the brotherhood, and while I planned to reserve this position for my son-in-law, my daughter went and married some lawyer who doesn’t belong in our world. As a result, I nominate Kirill as the next Pakhan.”

“You can’t be serious!” Rai stands up with Kyle’s help. “He’s too manipulative to lead, Granduncle.”

“Manipulative or not doesn’t matter. Kirill brings in the most deals, money, and success to the Bratva, and he’s managed to do that in only a few years since his return from the military. Not to mention his pure Russian ties who have been in the brotherhood for generations. I believe he’s the organization’s best option for survival, but I won’t make a final decision on this until a vote is taken.” He pauses for effect. “Those in favor of Kirill becoming the next Pakhan, raise your hand.”

Sergei is the first one who does so, followed by Igor. Mikhail watches the other two, then focuses on me. He’s always been a follower of Igor and Sergei, but at the same time, he’s suspicious. However, I did promise him a hefty reward, so he puts his hand up.

It's still three to five, though.

I stare at Adrian. His poker face remains the same, and while he wasn’t a fan of this idea, he’s smart enough to slowly raise his hand.

Four to four.

“Damien?” I pin him down as he throws another one of my books aside.

This asshole has been promised more than anyone else, including any war he’s in the mood for.

I didn’t bother with Rai, because she’d never approve. Her husband is of the same opinion. Vladimir is a gray area that I would rather not count on.

So my only other option is this unpredictable motherfucker.

“I don’t give a fuck that you’re the Pakhan,” he says as he raises his hand. “You’ll fight me.”

I think the vote is over, but then Vladimir raises his hand. I’d say that’s a surprise, but it’s not, not really. Vladimir might be this giant bearded mule, but he’s logical enough to realize I’m the best choice.

Or, after Damien cast the deciding vote, he realized his side was losing and he jumped ship so as not to be cast aside by the new Pakhan.

Six to two. Seven, if we’re counting mine.

Rai purses her lips and glares at me. I smile back, showing my teeth.

“Please join me in welcoming the new Pakhan,” Sergei says. “Kirill.”

It’s all going according to plan.

By the time the meeting ends, I’m in the mood to kick everyone out, but I don’t. One, I’ll have to get used to them being in my space, considering that my house will be the base for all future meetings.

Sergei will go on a family trip with his daughter and son-in-law and is fully retiring. Adrian stays behind to fill me in on the special meetings he always has with the Pakhan, all while trying to convince me to step down before it’s too late.

Damien is asking for a fight right after the inauguration.

Vladimir grunts but does fill me in on the security detail since he’s the one in charge of that.

Rai wants to call me names but knows she can’t. She no longer has her granduncle’s support and, therefore, if I decide to prosecute her for the insolence, no one will stop me.

Me? I want to celebrate with my wife.

None of these people matter and their faces aren’t the ones I want to look at while I’m sipping champagne.

I told Sasha she had to wait six months until I was more comfortable in my position and then I could bring her back without anyone intervening, but maybe that’s too long.

In the beginning, I had only a fifty percent chance of making this work, mainly because there were too many variables in the equation.

Now that the situation has changed, three months should be enough. At this point, I don’t give a fuck if they find out Aleksandra is the Aleksander they’ve known for years. I’m just not sure she does.

Which is why I sent Maksim to Russia to take care of the last thread that’s holding her back.

The fact that I still have no news of him is the only hitch in the plan.

After everyone leaves the office, Viktor barges inside, his face tight and his eyes dark.

“Anything from Maksim?” I ask.

“No, but I received unsettling news about one of our properties.”

“I don’t give a fuck about our properties. Get in touch with Maksim. And where the fuck is Yuri?”

“Kirill.” He steps forward.

I pause.

Viktor rarely calls me by my name and only when shit is hitting the fan.

“What is it?”

“It’s about the property you asked me for the keys to about a week ago.”

My spine jerks upright and a buzzing rings in my ears.

I’ve always been the type who relies on his intuition to not only determine the next course of action, but to actually survive. Today was going perfectly well until Maksim’s text, and I’ve had a horrible feeling since then.

I just didn’t know how bad it was until now.

“What about it?” I don’t recognize how calm my voice sounds despite the buzzing in my ears.