We'll Be Waiting

(SERGIO)

The car turns into the warehouse lot. By the looks of it, the place hasn't been used in ages-just the perfect spot for an errand. When the wheels screech to a halt, I step out of the car I rented. Maksim follows after me and then unlocks the trunk.

He yanks the boy out and throws him to the ground where he had crumpled a pile of limbs covered in some cheap clothing. My men had caught the stray boy crawling out of Ivanna's bedroom window this morning. I stare at him, wondering what it is that Ivanna saw in him. Why would a woman as beautiful as Ivanna Sidorov waste her time on such a pathetic loser like this?

She is a gorgeous lady. From what I saw, I could tell the rumours of her look weren't exaggerated. Rumours have it that all three Sidorov daughters resemble their mother. Polina Sidorov was a famous model before she married Misha Sidorov. I remember admiring her so much when I was a teenager. And Ivanna Sidorov is the spitting image f her mother, except with a bigger bust.

Oh, how I'd love to have them for myself.

Stop Sergio. He is marrying your son.

Angry at the lewd thoughts in my head, I decide to let that frustration out on the man on the ground. "So, you are the boyfriend?"

His scared eyes dart between me and my men. "Who the hell are you? And why am I here?"

I nod curtly at Maksim, who gives the big a swift kick on the ribs. "I ask the questions, boy," I say when he finally catches his breath. "And now, I need to know if you had sex with her."

"W…what?" the boy's brows rise, which earns him another swift kick that leaves him heaving for two full minutes. I sigh. "Alexei, I have no time for pleasantries. I grow tired fast. Just tell me if you fucked her."

"Wait, you're talking about Ivanna?"

Maksim lifts his leg to kick again, but Alexei holds up his hands in surrender. "Stop… please stop. I will tell you whatever it is that you want to know."

Finally, I bend and gaze squarely into his eyes. "Did. You. Fuck. My. Son's. Fiancée?"

As it looks, my voice seems to have imparted the gravity of the situation on Alexei. His brows fly up and he begins to babble things that don't make sense. "I didn't know that she was engaged. Really. I'm sorry. She told me nothing about it. I would have never slept with her if I hadn't known. I swear. Please… you have to believe me."

"How long, Alexei?"

He licks his lips. "We've been seeing each other for seven months."

I rise and gesture to Maksim then hold my hips frustratedly. Seven months and this bastard has been sticking his dick in her? My God! What was that fool Misha thinking letting his daughter loose in the streets of Krasnoyarsk?

Maksim puts some effort into the kick that has Alexei curling up into a tiny ball, gasping. "Please… please. No more." He pleads. "I think you broke a rib."

Maksim and 1 exchange amused glances. We both know that he'd been holding back. "Get him up," I order.

Kazimir and Maksim each grab an arm and holster Alexei up. Alexei moans in pain, head hanging low. I yank a fistful of his hair and tilt his head up to meet mine. "Listen and listen well. Forget about Ivanna. Forget she exists and don't even attempt to contact her. Suppose she contacts you today, tomorrow, a year from now or whenever, ignore her. If you defy me, I will skin you alive. Do you hear me?"

He whimpers. I can smell piss now staining his pants. Good lord! I want to go home. "Are we clear?" I repeat in a sterner tone.

Alexei nods. "Crystal."

"Good." I step back and head for the car. "Leave him."

I hear what sounds like Alexei drop to the ground as I open the door. Maksim and Kazimir, both my second cousins get in the car and we drive off, leaving Alexei to trace his way back home. I rub my jaw and stare at the trees whipping past us. Misha has clearly left his daughter in the wild to do as she pleases. She has probably slept with tons of men. Who knows? But do I care anyway? Even though we retained most of our traditions in Tyva, the old tradition of insisting on the bride's virginity is dying out. The bloody sheets practice is outdated these days.

Twenty years ago, my wedding had adhered to all the traditions- the things that were supposed to bring good luck to the couple. Yet, my woman died just five years after we got married and left behind a little boy. There hadn't been good luck, just misery and sadness.

But I didn't love Karina. We were both young, and the marriage had been arranged as an alliance with Sokolov Family. I thought she understood her part as a wife, that she would tolerate my long absences and the mistress that I kept in town. Karlen had been born after our first year of marriage. I had hoped to sire more sons and daughters. How foolish! I was too naïve and I thought that the mafia violence wouldn't reach my family.

"You think Karlen will like her?" Maksim asks. "He wasn't pleased when he heard that you were coming to Krasnoyarsk to select his bride."

"Karlen will marry whoever I tell him to marry."

In truth, I have no clue about Karlen's taste in women. My son is very secretive. He has always been, what he learnt from me. But who wouldn't want Ivanna Sidorov?

Not that it matters anyway. The marriage has to happen because it will form a strong bond between our families. It will also settle Misha's debt. A win is a win.

Maksim glances at the rearview mirror. "Should we go back to the hotel?"

"Yes. For a while. She is going to run, that, I'm sure. So, we need to be ready."

Misha has given his daughters too much freedom, clearly. With no discipline or consequences. How Ivanna spoke to her father means she doesn't know her place. I almost envy my son for his task to bring her to heel.

I like women with a fierce spirit. Just like Ivanna. They are much more fun to deal with. And having a strong woman, or rather one who tries to prove their strength always gets my blood boiling.

Kazimir turns around. "You think she's going to try and run?"

A little smirk tugs on my lips. "Oh, you can bet on it. But we will be ready and waiting for her. Tell the pilot we leave today."