Chapter 6: New Coach

IVAN’S POV

Ma’s entrance into Leonid’s office had us gaping in shock. She was accompanied by a Russian man who looked like he had walked out of a fashion magazine. He was handsome and had white hair, broad shoulders, and gray eyes. I could feel how he commanded the room and looked like he owned the world. 

My eyes never left his face until Ma walked over to tease me. She turned to announce that the man was our new coach.

He moved closer and stated, “Hi. I am Nikolai Lev, your new coach.” His voice and accent were deep and thick. I could tell from the way he spoke he must have come from deep in the Russian mountains. 

“Outsiders are not allowed in Odessa.” Alexa's voice rose from the corner of the room.

“Do you take me for a fool?” Ma’s eyes flashed at him. 

“I am sorry, Irina. I am only stating what the rules say,” he responded apologetically. 

“Nikolai is not an outsider,” Greb interjected. I could tell they had all this planned with Ma. 

“Irina, it seems you have a lot of explaining to do. I will be outside the door,” Nikolai said. 

“Leonid, take Nikolai to the boxing club and show him around,” I spoke up, surprising everyone. 

A small smile played on Nikolai’s lips as he nodded and left the office with Leonid. The minute the door closed Ma was about to yell at us, but I held her arm and she turned to look at me in defiance. 

“Ma, thank you so much for taking the time to bring us the coach. We appreciate it.” I smiled warmly at her. 

“You do?” she gasped, her eyes watering. She looked away in sorrow and my eyes flashed in warning at everyone in the room with a dare. Anton was the first to react as he moved closer and hugged Ma. 

“Thank you, Ma,” he whispered down to her and pressed a kiss on her temple. “We don't take it for granted that you went out of your way to get the new coach for Igor and Viktor.” 

She bit back a sob and then closed her eyes as she tried to calm herself down.

“Have a seat, Ma,” Anton begged her. 

She complied and then walked over to the chair to sit down. Once she seemed calm, Greb spoke up. “As per the last instructions by Boss Mikael, I did as instructed. Miss Elena and I traveled to the Ural Mountains to get Coach Nikolai.” 

“He does not seem like a coach,” Alexa spoke up. 

“Yet here he is,” Ma snapped. 

“He is more than a coach, but the details will be discussed later with Ivan,” Greb added. 

“I doubt you will be able to get past the gang rules.” Alexa seems to be on a roll. 

“Are you deaf?” Greb snickered at him. “This was an order from the late boss Mikael.” 

Alexa shut his mouth and turned to look out of the window.

“I understand your concerns, but the boxing coach is not for the club but for Igor and Viktor,” Greb affirmed. 

“What do you mean? What about the rest of the club members?” Alexa asked. 

“I do believe your work is in logistics and not boxing,” I spoke up. “And why are you here? Your presence is needed in the company.” 

He turned around in surprise, but I held my ground, and he realized I was not going to budge. Greb walked to the door and opened it, indicating that Alexa should leave. He huffed and then silently walked out of the room. 

“Why did you let him accompany you?” Ma demanded.

“We had a meeting at the company when you called. Hence he followed me over,” I explained. 

“Let us keep our circle small for now. After the attack, we should be more vigilant and careful,” Ma emphasized. 

“Ma, are you sure about this coach?” Igor asked. 

“Yes,” Ma affirmed. “Ivan, take your brothers to the boxing ring. Greb, please go and make the formal introductions so that Coach Nikolai feels welcomed.” 

“As you wish, Madam Irina.” Greb nodded and they all left the office.

Once the doors closed, I walked over to sit next to Ma. “I know you have questions.” She smiled warmly but worry was laced in her eyes. 

“I do,” I nodded in expectation.

“After the attack on Viktor, I called Greb to ask for a plan. But your Pa had already made a plan prior. He anticipated that the wolves would descend and attack. But I never expected that they would go after Viktor. It was a warning for sure. Nikolai is the man who extended your Pa’s life. I have no idea how, but it seems that Greb does. Nikolai is no ordinary man as you must have guessed. He is the Chairman of Lev Industries and is far richer than all of us. He will come in as a coach and protector of Igor and Viktor. In exchange he will give us more shipping routes for our guns into Russia,” Ma narrated.

My eyes widened as I digested all the information. What did not surprise me the most was that Nikolai was rich. From his demeanor and sense of fashion, one would have mistaken him for a Russian model. His white hair and gray eyes did justice to his handsome face. 

“Ivan, you need to stay close to Nikolai. I have a feeling he is more than meets the eyes,” Ma advised. I felt my body tremble by the sheer thought of his gaze. 

I shook my head. “I am not sure that I can be close to him.”

“You must. It's the only way for our family to survive.” Ma's eyes pleaded with me as she spoke.

“I am afraid of exposing ourselves to an outsider.” I tried to reason. But the truth was I was afraid of the feelings Nikolai evoked when he stared at me. I was afraid I would lose my soul to him.

“I doubt it.”  

I turned away, afraid that she would see the true nature of my fears. Standing up, the words left my mouth before I could stop them. “I have no choice, Ma. Pa asked me to obey you at all costs when we had our last conversation. And for that, I know you will look out for us. But Ma, I don't want you to stress yourself. As I promise I will take over Pa’s work and excel in it.” I turned to her with a smile. 

“That's my boy,” Ma beamed. 

There was a knock on the door and instantly Ma changed her demeanor to a cold one. 

“Come in,” I stated. 

Nikolai walked in and closed the door. “Irina, I must say that the boxing club is well maintained. But I would like to upgrade a few equipment and training stations. Igor and Viktor have agreed but they said that we need the consent of Leonid on the budgets. I assured them that money is not a problem,” he drawled. 

“Agreed. I am going to find him.” Ma patted my arm and left the room. 

Once the door closed, my eyes darted to Nikolai and the air in the room shifted. He walked over to me—he stood a little taller than me. He watched me silently and I felt my body stir.

“I am surprised you are holding out so well.” His voice was deep and husky. 

I stepped back and retorted as my eyes blazed at him, “I hate playing games.”

“I never play games. I am a man of my word,” he asserted, and I felt his words vibrate through my body.