13— He’s dying.

Adrian 

I've been avoiding Nikolai and I've been doing a great job at it. I hover around Kuzma all the time. There's no way he'll start saying lewd words to me when Kuzma is around me, so my plan works.

I and Kuzma stand by the SUV waiting for him and Ilya to come out. Minutes have passed and I can only guess that Olga succeeded in making him stay for breakfast.

We wait for another ten minutes as Kuzma fills me in on a few things. He actually tends to talk a lot and definitely has a lot to say. I do well to reply him when it's needed, to not make him feel bad.

Soon after, we see Nikolai approaching without Ilya. He's now wearing a coat. I thought he was immune to the cold after living in Russia for 30 years. I'm wearing one, I can't afford to get sick.

As he approaches, I can easily tell that he's not in the mood. His face is contorted in rage and the look on his face screams back off. I've never seen him look this angry, I mean he's always trying to be an annoying ass. 

"The boss looks pissed. It's best if you do nothing to annoy him." Kuzma whispers to my ears. I'm planning on doing that. I plan to stay one million miles away from him.

He finally approaches us and Kuzma opens the door of the back seat for him and he goes in. I go to the passenger seat, Kuzma to the driver seat. He drives out of the compound, other SUVs following behind him.

The ride is oddly quiet, while Kuzma whistles as he drives, I can't help but wonder what must have gotten Nikolai so angry. He didn't even utter a word, till we arrived at the Pakhan's house.

He gets out of the car and we both escort him into the house. The other men stay back.

Just when we are about to get to their meeting room, a voice calls out for Nikolai.

I look up to see Mikhail approaching, Alexei is with him and they both exude this air of dominance.

"Nikolai!" Mikhail calls with a somewhat cheerful smile on his face. The smile only screams mischief, it's not the usual nice smile people give, it gives this cunning vibe.

"You're early today." It's the first time I've heard Nikolai speak since we started our journey.

"I had to drag him here myself." Alexei, the blonde-haired man butts in and Mikhail sends a glare at him.

"I only followed you because I wanted to, Alex." 

"Because you didn't find a pussy to fuck." Nikolai scoffs with a bored look. Mikhail slowly shakes his head, placing his hand on Nikolai's shoulder.

"It's not that I didn't find one. I have women at my beck and call." 

"Then what stopped you from shagging before coming here? Since you're very fond of doing that?" Alexei says, emphasizing on the word shagging. 

Mikhail smirks mischievously. "I was saving myself for the exquisite pleasure of this meeting. I think Dmitri has news to share. Can't miss it." 

Nikolai raises an eyebrow. "Saving yourself? You mean saving your energy for all the STD tests you're going to need?"

Alexei chuckles with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "Yeah, Mikhail. My uncle owns a hospital. I don't mind booking you an appointment." He concludes, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.

Mikhail shook his head, laughing. "You two are ridiculous. I assure you, my health records are spotless."

Nikolai leans in, mock-conspiratorially. "That's what they all say before the itching starts."

"Fuck you both!" 

"No, I'll pass." They both say almost at the same time. Mikhail rolls his eyes at them and then his gaze lands on me.

"I see you brought this pretty boy along today." The corner of his lips curves up and I suddenly feel everyone's eyes on me.

"Who's he?" Alexei asks.

"I don't know where Nikolai picked him from. He looks so soft. Don't you think he'll pass as a male stripper?" He asks meaningfully pointing at Alexei who nods affirmatively and I hold back a scowl. That's actually an insult! A big insult and I'm not going to take it. I'll fit in as a male stripper? I don't look soft!!! I have muscles, I'm ripped, and tall. It's just my facial features! I literally had girls hovering around me just to date me. How dare he call me soft?

"I hope you don't plan on taking him to bed." Alexei teases and I notice the way Nikolai's face darkens.

"No, I prefer pussies. I can take his sister if she's as pretty as him. Do you have one?" There's a meaningful look on his face as he asks me that. Gosh! I want to punch him so badly. Nikolai should take his friend away before I really kill him. He's fucking getting on my nerves.

"No, I don't." I bite out a reply, trying so hard not to sound rude. 

"Touchè." He licks his lower lips and before I know it, he lifts his fist, landing it on my left eye. What the hell? He fucking punched me!! Again!! And why is Nikolai quiet?

"He's not fit for this job, Nikolai. There's a slot for a male stripper at my club, I can take him in." Mother fucking hell!! This is Damn disrespect! He keeps hitting me. The vision of my left eye is blurry and I'm sure I'll get a black eye. It fucking hurts.

"That wasn't really necessary, Mikhail." Nikolai draws out, shaking his head in disapproval. He still looks angry, but his demeanor has softened. 

"I asked him to block my attack the next time we meet. He didn't." Mikhail utters, the words rolling out of his tongue casually and I glare at him. Why don't I just kill him instead of Nikolai? I hate him to the core. I feel the need to strangle life out of him. 

"Come on. Dmitri must be waiting." Nikolai's voice rings in my ear. He gives me one last look before disappearing into the room. 

I bite back my retort, my jaw clenched in anger. Mikhail's nonchalance only fuels my anger more.

"Are you okay man?" Kuzma asks after they all go in.

"Do I fucking look okay?" I mutter through gritted teeth, clenching my fists hard. I should go into that room and pummel Mikhail to death. 

*****

Nikolai 

Mikhail can be an ass and when he's up to one of his mischievous tactics. No one can stop him. I already knew before that he'll raise his fist at Adrian just like he promised and I seriously expected Adrian to block the attack.

I feel so angry after the banter with Zorya. That woman riles me up. She makes me feel so fucking angry. I hate her so much. There was a time when I always looked up to Zorya.

When I was younger, I loved my mama and I wanted her to shower me with love like other mothers did to their children. She never did! Throughout the years before Pavel was born, she never failed to remind me how much of a failure I was and how she regretted birthing me. I'd go days, weeks, and months without seeing my mother and I'd cry, like the broken little kid that I was. When Pavel was born everything became worse.

Do you know how it feels to watch the mother who you've always looked up to for affection love your little brother like she could die for him? It was at that moment my despise for Zorya began and I grew to hate her more as time progressed.

"Good day Pakhan," We all said to Dmitri as we got into the room. He was already present with Vladimir, the bitter old fool.

He waved at us briefly as we all took our seats.

"Where's Viktor?" Mikhail's brows furrow, looking around for the missing last member. Viktor.

"He won't be able to make it. His daughter had an accident. Turns out the nanny has been making the little girl go through hell." Alexei explains as Dmitri adds.

"He said that he won't be able to make it today." That nanny is toast. As far as I'm concerned, Viktor loves his little girl more than his life. He's the only married one amongst us. Or was married. He lost his wife to an unfortunate accident and since then that man has been cold as ice. I'm pretty sure when his wife died, she took his heart along with her. The only person he smiles with is his little daughter, who he's shielding from our world. According to him, he does not want his daughter to be part of our dark world. I can count how many times I've seen her with my right fingers.

"We'll proceed with the meeting, I only have one announcement to make." He announces, the look on everyone's faces becomes serious as we wait to hear his announcement.

"My 65th birthday approaches, and with it, a significant milestone," he says, his voice filled with gravitas. "I've decided to retire as Pakhan, effective immediately after the celebration." Silence reigns in the room and everyone has puzzled looks on their faces. 

I knew this was going to happen. Dimitri has been planning his retirement. I want to be the Pakhan and I didn't spend six months away, doing nothing. I know he's sick. Dimitri is dying, but no one knows of it yet. I only managed to find out about that crucial information.

"And I've chosen one of you to succeed me," he continues, his gaze sweeping the room. 

"Who?" I ask.

Dmitri smiles, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "That, brothers, will be revealed on my birthday. Let's just say the chosen one will be surprised."

Surprised? What game is he playing?

I glance around the room, assessing my competition. Alexei doesn't care, Mikhail's is a wild card and just wants to live his life without rules, Viktor, lives for his daughter alone, he wouldn't want to drag her into this and that leaves me with….. Vladimir.

My eyes land on him and I can feel the way he keeps staring at me intently. Once I become Pakhan, he'll be the first person I get rid of.

"And when's the birthday?" Mikhail grills, the look in his eyes says he's eager to leave. To do what? Get back to fucking or go torture an innocent soul.

"It is held every year, Mikhail." Alexei drawls out.

"And?" Mikhail shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly and I don't blame him at all. I have no idea about the date as well. We do attend every year, but it doesn't mean I keep the date in my head. I get the invitation, attend and the day pass like every other day.

"I'll send out invitations in a month," Dmitri says, his eyes scanning the room.

"Okay, Pakhan," we all mutter in unison, our voices a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

Dmitri nods, a hint of satisfaction on his face. "Good. I expect all of you to be there." 

Alexei types on his phone and I guess he's sending a message to Viktor, while Mikhail nods thoughtfully. Vladimir leans back in his chair, a calculating glint in his eye. Dmitri's expression remains neutral.

I, on the other hand, am deep in my thoughts. This is my chance to secure Dmitri's favor and cement my position as his successor. Mikhail is not a problem, neither is Viktor and Alexei.

The Pakhan glances around the room once more before standing up. "That's all for now, You're dismissed."

We rise from our seats, murmuring our respects as we file out of the room.

"Pakhan, may I—" Vladimir starts, but Dmitri waves him off.

"Not now, Vladimir. I need to speak with Nikolai."

"Wait behind, Nikolai," Dimitri says, his voice low and serious. "I have something to discuss with you."

I nod once.

"You know right?" He asks and it doesn't take me a second to know what he's talking about. I nod yet again. He's dying.