4— I got in.

Adrian

Everything feels blank. I loved Larisa. I killed for her. I did everything for her and what did I get in return?

Parking in front of the building Nikolai asked me to meet, I climb down from my bike.

He's outside the building, with three SUVs parked. He's ready to leave.

I watch him as he talks to one of his men. His hair is not packed this time and just flies with the wind as he speaks. Bastard. Do I hate him? Yes. A lot. He gets on my nerves.

He turns his head over to my direction and when his eyes land on me, he smiles.

"You made a mess." He comments, motioning for me to walk towards him.

"I asked you to kill Igor, just him." He must have seen the bodies.

"Who I kill is none of your fucking business." I grit my teeth and the smile on his face widens as he speaks.

"You'll need to learn your manners, Adrian, you don't speak to me in that tone." The smile on his face falls. 

"I'm your boss." He adds before turning back to the man he was speaking to earlier.

"We're leaving." He says to no one in particular, walking to one of the SUVs.

He's taking me to his place. I know a man like Nikolai will not live in such a shabby place.

"You're riding with me, Adrian." He climbs into the back seat, leaving no room for argument.

What have I gotten myself into? To hell with you Igor, I hope you rot there.

I tuck my hands into my front pocket as I casually walk to the front seat. I'm about to open the door when he says.

"Come to the back seat," I stiffen as his driver turns to face him.

"But boss, you prefer sitting alone at the back." He says as Nikolai glares at him.

"Do you still like your fingers?" He raises a brow at the driver who apologizes before looking forward.

"We don't have all night, pretty boy." He utters, his eyes now buried on his iPad.

Gosh, I hate this man. So much.

I swallow deeply and walk to the back seat as I slowly get in, making sure to maintain a distance. The SUV starts to move, with the others behind.

He surprisingly says nothing throughout the journey, his eyes remaining buried on his iPad. I find myself sneaking glances at him from time to time as his tattooed fingers type swiftly on his iPad.

I finally look away before he catches me staring and makes an annoying comment.

I have no idea how long it takes, but we finally arrive in a villa. The large gates open, as the SUV enters the compound. 

It's a large compound, and although it's dark, I can see my surroundings with the lights. I know Nikolai is wealthy, he's in the fucking Bratva.

The SUV finally stops in front of a large mansion. Nikolai is the first one to step down and I follow.

"Why did you bring me here?" I ask in confusion as he walks towards the mansion.

"Why do you think I brought you here?" The corner of his lips pulls up and I fume in anger. 

"You'll live here from now on Adrian." He announces.

"You've got to be joking, Nikolai-"

"It's sir. I'm your Boss." He interrupts me as he walks into the mansion.

"You'll join my team of bodyguards Adrian. Your job is to follow me around as my right-hand man. You're good at taking shots, so I trust your skills." He explains, walking up the stairs.

That's what the Bratva is all about. You are never safe. You'll have enemies lurking about, waiting for the best time to launch an attack. It can be anywhere.

"I only need your services for a year. I'm on the verge of greatness and greatness attracts haters. I can't take any chances can I?" He pauses and turns to face me with a smile on his face.

That's what the Bratva is all about, power struggle. He's definitely aiming for a high position, risking his life in the process.

"Kuzma will fill you in on everything you need to know. He should be here any minute." He says, taking a look at his watch.

And who the hell is Kuzma?

His eyes are still fixed on his watch when I see a lady approaching with angry eyes. Blonde, she looks to be in her Twenties.

"Bastard! You finally came home" She's talking to Nikolai and there's nothing but anger in her voice.

"Irina," He calls with an emotionless look on his face, as he turns to face her.

"How dare you show your face here??" She's practically yelling at the top of her voice.

"Have you taken your pills today?" Nikolai asks instead in a calm tone and that seems to anger her more.

"I'll kill you, Nikolai. You son of a pig!!" She grits her teeth, launching at him, that's when I notice what she's holding. A knife.

"That makes the two of us. Go to your room Irina or I'll ask Andrei to tie you up and force those pills down your throat, so you can calm down.." He threatens in a low voice and she scoffs.

I stare at the lady who does not seem to be scared of Nikolai and is probably planning to stab him.

And why is Nikolai saying nothing? He should have noticed the Knife.

"You think I'll allow that doctor to touch me again?!!" She screams, hitting him on the chest this time with her fists.

"I should kill you, so you'll go join Dad." She hiss, holding up the knife as she points it at Nikolai who remains unblinking.

Is he going to stand there and do nothing? With the look in her eyes, she'll stab him.

She launches the knife at him, I quickly move, grabbing her wrist just in time.

Her face contorts in rage as she spins towards me. "And who are you?" she spits, her voice venomous. The intensity of her green eyes, identical to Nikolai's, betrays her familial connection. I've stumbled upon the sister. 

"Step back miss," I utter softly to the raging lady in front of me with my most respectful voice, but the look in her eyes only hardens.

"Who the fuck is this bastard!" She yells in Russian and I slowly shake my head. Why is Nikolai still quiet? He should deal with his sister.

"Please step back, miss." I utter politely, but she only glares harder at me before looking at her brother.

"Tell this bastard to get his hands off me Nikolai, or I'll kill him before killing you!" She snaps again in Russian and finally, Nikolai reacts.

"Are you done, Irina?" Irina. That's her name.

"No, I'm not. Where the hell were you?" She screams at him, finally releasing the knife and it drops to the ground. I sigh in relief, bending down to pick up the knife.

"You just disappeared after our father's funeral and you think you can appear again. Get out Nikolai, you're not needed anymore!" She screams, her face red as she practically jumps in his face though he's way taller than her.

"Irina," Nikolai begins, taking in a deep breath as I step aside.

"I've been traveling all night. I need to rest. Excuse me." He utters in a clipped-off tone, there's this bored look on his face that screams that he's tired of whatever Irina is displaying, but there's also this affectionate look on his face that he's trying so hard to hide.

"Is that all you've got to say? Huh?" 

"You're my brother and you promised to stand by me after Dad's burial, but what did you do? You left!! You didn't even pick up my calls." She states, fuming in anger.

I know Nikolai's father died over six months ago, don't tell me he has not come home since then. 

"I hate you. Nikolai. I hope you die too." She grits her teeth and Nikolai listens to her with no expression on his face, before a smile finally creeps up his lips.

"Too bad, I won't be dying anytime soon." 

"I hate you. Nikolai!" She fires at him.

"I'm busy, Irina. I have no time to play." He states, brushing past her as he motions at me to follow him.

"I'm still talking to you, Nikolai!!" She yells after him. But Nikolai ignores her as he walks to God knows where.

"Avoid Irina, if necessary." He orders, stopping in front of a door.

"I doubt if you both will meet, avoid her if the need arises." He opens the door, walks in and I follow behind.

It's his study room. I want to ask him why he's so cold to his sister but I refrain from asking. Reminding myself that it's none of my business.

"Kuzma should be here soon." He packs his hair up, sitting on the chair behind his table.

I nod once, standing in front of his table.

If one thing, the fucker doesn't only have an attractive face, he has the perfect jawline. 

"Kuzma will fill you in on whatever you need to know. You're starting work tomorrow." He informs me, a man like Nikolai moves around a lot, that's why he needs me to protect him. As a member of the Bratva, he sure has a lot of enemies who want him dead.

"And who's Kuzma?" I inquire and he looks up at me.

"You'll know when you meet him." He replies with a smirk on his face. Fucker. I should punch that smirk off his face.

"Wait outside my door. He'll meet you soon." He instructs.

"Okay, boss," I mumble, hating myself for calling him that. But he's my boss and I'll have to give him that respect.

I turn to leave, closing the door gently behind me as I stand patiently waiting for the so-called Kuzma.

30 minutes, an hour, an hour thirty minutes later. Kuzma is still not here!!!

Fuck!! My legs fucking hurt. I did not move an inch and have been standing. Nikolai didn't even call to ask if his kuzma had come.

"Bastard." I curse under my breath in Russia. If I know my way around, I will walk away. But I'm new here.

It takes another ten minutes, before I finally see a black-haired man walking towards me. He's not alone, he's with two women. Two brunettes.

"Adrian?" He says the moment he stops in front of me and I nod.

"Follow me." He orders then turns to the women.

"Go in, the boss is waiting." My mouth forms an O once I realize the use of the women. Of course, they're his sluts.

Kuzma begins to walk away and I follow behind him.

"I'm so sorry man for taking too much time." He apologizes, turning to face me.

"I'm Kuzma." He introduces himself, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Adrian." I say, though it does not matter. Since he already knows my name.

"It's quite a surprise that the boss added you to his high-ranking guards. They're only three of us." He explains, leading me to a hallway.

"Three?" My brows furrow and he nods.

"Me, Ilya, and you." 

"Who's Ilya?" 

"He's the boss's right-hand man and the closest to him. Ilya and I follow him around the most. Surprisingly, he added you. Seeing you're new." He deadpans and I know exactly what he's driving at.

I'm new and can't be trusted.

"You'll stay here." He stops in front of a room. " Ilya stays in the next room and I stay in the next. The other guards live in the guard quarters outside the mansion." Oh, I get it. He keeps his right-hand men around.

"You're here to protect the boss if anything happens, even if it means protecting him with your life." He deadpans and I scowl inwardly. I can as well kill him.

"Make sure to stay away from his family. His mother Zorya, brother Pavel, and sister Irina. Stay away from them." By the way he drags out his words, I can tell those people are bad news. 

I already met the sister and I don't plan on going near her again. 

"Okay," I reply curtly.

"That will be all for now man. I'll show you around tomorrow, so you'll know the map of this place. Go in, you look exhausted." Yeah, Fuck I am. I killed my girlfriend and found out she was cheating on me. A lot has been going on. I need time to think and process things.

"Thank you." I mumble and Kuzma smiles at me, patting me on the back, before walking away.

I walk into the room and look around. It's big, with a comfy bed in the middle. There's nothing much in the room, just comfortable enough for a person to stay in.

I smile, sitting on the bed. I did it. I got in.