SWNOVELS Chapter 20
“And you just shot him in the head?” Michael asks two days after the meeting with Igor.
I shrug, unconcerned. “Igor was a sole trader. A man of luxury with a lot of money. It’s not like he was attached to the Bratva or anything. Besides, I won’t have him threatening Anya.”
I pull out my pack of cigarettes and stare at them contemplatively. I only smoke if I’m stressed or socially with a drink. The thought of Anya ripping it from my lips and flinging it out the car window brings another smile to my face as I put them back in my pocket.
Michael and Derrick casually sit across from me in my office, each with a glass of whisky in hand. Derrick has added to his findings on the Ivanov siblings, but I find myself bored reading over the file. Now that I can access Anya anytime I please, I find it much more interesting to discover things about her on my own.
“If I may, sir,” Michael starts. “I’m starting to think perhaps your judgment is clouded when it comes to Anya Ivanov. Your intentions have changed greatly since we first arrived.”
“Those intentions are mine to change. Might I remind you that you work for me? Both of you. I might allow you to have a drink with me, but don’t forget the hand that feeds you.”
Michael dips his head submissively. “Apologies, sir.”
“My goal is very clear. I plan to stay and make Anya Ivanov my wife.”
Michael’s jaw grinds, but he says nothing. Good boy.
He hasn’t been shy about his thoughts that my association with Anya Ivanov is dangerous, especially if it doesn’t fall in our favor. But I have no intention of letting Anya go anywhere other than my bed.
The moment I met Anya I was in awe. I could’ve gotten straight down to business, but I wanted to watch her, mesmerized in the way she controlled a room and scared men just with that icy gaze alone. I knew then that I could worship a woman like that every day as well as treat her as my equal. She is the first and only woman who has ever measured up to something I hadn’t even realized I was looking for until her.
“Is the house settled?” I ask Derrick.
“It’s all in your name, and your belongings have already been moved,” he says.
“Excellent,” I reply, rather chipper. I’ve bought many properties, much like the penthouse I’m in now, but none of them excited me as much as my new purchase. I will make Anya come to me, and I have no doubt she’ll soon find out how I’m further settling into her city and encroaching on her space.
My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket.
Will.
“What have you got?” I ask. The moment Igor mentioned Alek was last seen in Russia, I had Will focus on that location.
“Not the news you want yet. But I’m on his trail now,” he says, rather smug with his British accent.
“I don’t know why it’s taken you so long already. I thought you were the best,” I chide.
He chuckles. “Well, it seems like you found a slimy and clever prick all in one. But no matter how long he tries to go under the radar, he’ll eventually surface. I just wanted to update you. I also hear you’re creating a stir with his sister back home.”
“Where, pray tell, might you have heard that from?” I ask.
He laughs down the line. “You underestimate me. You got it bad, huh? Never seen you seriously interested in a woman before. Unless there’s something you’re trying to get from her?”
I pause with the scotch at my lips. “I plan on extracting many things from Anya Ivanov. Which reminds me. Wherever you have your little gossip meetings, I want you to make it very clear that no one is to touch so much as a hair on Anya Ivanov’s head. If they do, they will deal with me.”
Michael and Derrick look at one another. They’ll no doubt ensure the same message goes to my men.
Will whistles. “Wow, you’ve fallen pretty hard for the beauty, haven’t you? But I’ll make sure your message is spread loud and clear.”
“It’s not falling when I’m simply claiming what’s mine.”
“And does Anya know about this?” he asks pointedly.
“She will.”
If I don’t fuck it up and give in to my carnal urges first.
“Alright, lover boy. Good luck. And if you end up ten feet under, know that I still expect payment. Chasing this fucker isn’t cheap or easy.”
“I’ll transfer some money over now to boost morale,” I promise.
“That’s why you’re my favorite,” Will teases.
I hang up the phone and am surprised when I see a text message from my mother.
Mom: Are you moving to New York permanently? Should I come visit soon?
The only woman I’ve ever permitted to tell me what to do is my mother. She might be naïve to what her son does for business, but it brings me pride to know I can cater to her every need for the rest of her life.
I wonder how my mother might perceive a woman like Anya. They couldn’t be more opposite. I also can’t deny the pleasure it will offer me to see Anya being introduced to any parent.