Chapter 5: New York

NIKOLAI’S POV

The change in the air when we landed made my nose cringe. Mount Ural always had fresh cold air and the difference was evident as we landed in New York. I thanked the weather for the cold and snow and wondered how I would survive during the hot summer. As a vampire, I could walk in the sun. Being over three centuries old, I had mastered the magic and power of making sure that my skin could stand the sun rays.

I trained my body and mind and after a century I rose to power as the Vampire Lord of the European Coven. After a century, the older vampires let me be and I lived freely without being questioned or controlled by the vampire council. But coming to New York, I expected them to push their noses into my business once again.

Seated next to Irina, we made small talk as I asked her questions about the Erik brothers. The truth was that I had been watching them for a long time since Mikael made the promise to me. I bought the biggest mansion in Fairfield in the same residential area where Mikael lived. Once a year I would fly to New York and check on their progress. I watched how Mikael hovered over them as he realized that his time was near. Lupus had corroded his body, and my blood was almost gone from his system.

A month before his death, Mikael contacted me through my secretary . When he arrived in Mount Ural, Greb was with him. We stood at the airport as the cold wind picked up and Mikael looked weak.

“Why did you travel when you are in such a condition?” I scolded him.

“My time is near. Thank you for the ten years.” Mikael laughed and his body heaved as he coughed up blood.

“What the f*ck is wrong with you? Do you want to die now?” I walked over and rubbed his back.

“No, and yes. The f*cking disease is gruesome. It's doing a number on me,” he said as Greb handed him a handkerchief to wipe his mouth.

“Let me turn you,” I offered.

“No,” he vehemently refused, shaking his head.

“Fine. What do you need for you to come all this way,” I demanded.

“Protection for my boys. There are too many enemies surrounding the Odessa gang. And it's all because of the shipping routes, the guns, and the money. You have to promise me.”

“Since when does a mere human make a vampire promise him anything?” I snickered and heard Greb gasp.

“Since you saved my life,” Mikael pressed on. “And the dying wish of a person you owe.”

“I owe you nothing. I could just feed on your friend here until he’s dry and let you wither in the cold. No one in Mount Ural would bat an eye since I own and manage everything here.”

“You can scare him but not me. I have nothing to lose as long as you take care of my boys,” Mikael insisted.

“You are a f*cking pain in the a*s,” I muttered as I sensed his body withering. “Fine. Get back in the f*cking plane and don’t ever come back here. I don’t want to bury you in Ural.” I said before I had disappeared back into the castle.

The call from Greb came in timely as I was planning to go to New York after hearing that Mikael had passed away. Mikael was smart enough to make arrangements for his wife and sons.

The hooting of the driver made me realize we had arrived at the boxing club. The gates opened as we drove in. Once the car stopped, Greb was already out of the escort cars and opened the door for Irina.

“Thank you, Greb,” she responded with kindness.

I was surprised when the guards rushed over to open my door. I nodded politely at them and made a mental note to have my security team offer protection. Once I made my way to Irina she smiled and pointed toward the entrance of the boxing club. “This way Nikolai.”

We walked toward the offices and found the manager of the boxing club, Leonid Armen, pacing by the door of his office. Once he spotted us his demeanour changed and he straightened his back.

“Greeting, Madam Irina,” he spoke up.

“Have they arrived?” She cut to the chase.

“Yes. Ivan, Anton, Igor, and Viktor are here. They were also accompanied by Alek,” he responded. Alek Roman was the man in charge of all the shipments in the company.

“Excellent,” she responded with a nod.

“After you, Madam Irina.” Leonid pointed at the door.

She stepped forward and pushed the door open. We walked into the room and four men stood up. It had been a year since I last seen them and they had grown into men. I guessed that the man who stood by the window was Alex Roman.

They all were about to speak when they spotted me. My eyes darted between all of them one by one. The air sizzled around us, and my beast hunger rose to the surface. Being this close to them, I felt the hunger and thirst gnawing at me. My body was aroused by the four of them and I willed myself to remain calm.

“Cat got your tongue?” Irina was the first to speak.

They all snapped out of the trance, and I watched Igor and Viktor rush to her while they said “Ma,” in unison. Embracing her, the two of them almost smothered her and in turn, she burst into laughter. I walked toward the corner of the office and leaned on the shelf while watching each one of them. Greb walked toward the window and shook hands with Alex Roman.

“I will grow old from worry.” I heard Anton mutter under his breath as Irina walked over to him and pulled him into a hug. His voice was deep, with a mild tone that showed his frustration. I understood why Irina said Anton was cutthroat.

But Ivan remained astute as his eyes never left mine. Like a predator he watched me with keen interest, observing like the true leader he was.

“Ivan, are you going to remain a statue?” Irina teased him as she moved from Anton’s embrace and stared at him.

She lowered his eyes to her and then leaned down and pressed two kisses on her cheek. “Ma, you had me worried.” His voice was deep, sexy, and commanding.

Irina pressed a hand to his cheek, patting it. “I am sorry for worrying you.”

Her statement made me understand why Ivan was bound to be the leader of Odessa. His body, attitude, and demeanour were those of a true gang leader. He stood taller than his brothers, though they were over six feet tall.

“I have good news for all of you,” Irina announced. She turned to me and said, “Let me introduce all of you to Nikolai Lev. He will be your new boxing coach.”

“What?” Igor and Viktor responded at the same time. Anton’s eyes squinted at me while Ivan remained cold and distant.

I moved from the bookshelf and took a few steps toward them. “It's a pleasure to meet you all. I am Nikolai Lev.” My voice boomed across the office space.