Moscow, Russia

N I K O L A I

Her words had been echoing inside my head on repeat for the last three days, and I couldn't drown them out no matter what I did. It was almost like she had branded her heartache on my flesh and no matter what I did, it was there to stay. The tears leaving her serpentine eyes fed the poison inside my soul, but I knew that every time I became the reason behind her tears, the splinters battered my heart just the same. To think about letting go of my cantankerous rage was the same as watching an old friend die, and I didn't know which one was worse. I'd missed her far longer than I'd had the chance to love her and it appeared that I'd lost myself when I was busy grieving for someone who'd left. Now I'd spent months hating her when every fiber of my being had started protesting against the lies I'd been telling. I wanted to love her, but the art of feeling anything but rage always eluded me, almost like an open book with ink running out of its pages, making a masterpiece, however, one that no one could read. It appeared I was keeping secrets, and from myself at that. Perhaps, we were both liars, I just couldn't decide which one of us told the lie that'd killed us. I'd never gotten a funeral for her, couldn't bring myself to think about it, however, I'd attended the funeral of my love for her every day since. I just didn't know it at the time.

It wasn't easy to make up my mind, but if we were to get somewhere with whatever twisted thing it was between us, I knew I would have to let her in, even if it meant giving her the power to hurt my bleeding heart worse than she had before.

Deciding it was time we talked and lay our cards on the table, I walked towards her room, unaware that I might've been a little too late for that.

"Keira, we need to talk." The darkness inside the room was a surprise since Keira always liked to keep it bright, and if not anything, she at least had the bedside lamp turned on.

"I was wondering, are there any nice swimming pools around?"

"Kyzer." I cleared my throat as I turned the lights on, coming face to face with the face of my brother-in-law, "what a pleasant surprise."

"I know," he grinned, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes because the fucker knew I didn't mean it, "You have yet to answer my question though." He pointed as he got rid of his leather jacket, throwing it on the arm-chair.

"I find it hard to believe that you came all the way here for a swim."

"I'm not here to swim." I arched my brow, pocketing my hand, "I was merely wondering so I could throw you in one."

I chuckled, "It's a futile attempt to kill me."

"I'd be more creative if I wanted you dead," Kyzer snickered, "this is for shits and giggles, mate."

My hand fisted in my pocket as I found a place to sit, fully aware no conversation with this motherfucker was short.

"I don't have time for shits and giggles, Kyzer." Remembering the conversation I'd overheard between him and Keira, I knew he was the reason behind Keira's absence. "Now, where is my wife."

"Somewhere you don't need to be," Kyzer flicked his fingers as he walked towards the mini-fridge, and opened it. He took a peek inside and closed it just as fast as he'd opened it, finally turning to me, his fucking grin intact.

"You don't get to decide that,"

"Considering that you don't know and I do, I think it's very much my call if you should be aware."

"She is my wife." I found the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them.

"And have you been acting like a husband?" Kyzer pinned me with his gaze, and it was in that moment I realized how much alike the siblings truly were, except I knew Keira like the back of my hand, and her brother was perpetually a stranger to me.

"That's none of your business."

Kyzer's grin vanished for a fraction of a second and I wondered what the fuck was up with him. "I didn't think it was either until Keira called me crying."

My back stiffened, and I fought against any reminders of the day I'd shut her down, "I don't give a fuck what happens between the both of you, but you don't get to fuck with her."

"Where is she?" I asked him again, knowing pushing him wouldn't get me anywhere I wanted, and making an enemy out of Kyzer Knight was not on my agenda for the day so I swallowed my anger.

"Like I said, you don't need to know right now." Kyzer reached for his black jacket and shrugged it over his shoulders, "This is the only time I'll give you a piece of advice so listen to it well. Take this time to think. Figure your shit out, and decide what you want, and if it's not her." Kyzer patted my shoulder, "I'm asking you to let her go."

It was the first time he'd gotten rid of his bullshit, and even I had to admit, I still had no idea of who the fuck he was. "On that note, I do want a favor from you."

Shaking my thoughts, I stood up, and made my way to the door, "I would prefer if we don't have this conversation here."

Kyzer looked around the room before shrugging and walking out the door and I followed him closing the door behind us.

"I want you to meet Theo Blanc," I arched my brow just as we stepped inside my office and closed the door behind us. Kyzer did not wait for me to tell him to sit and took a seat, his feet perched up on the small coffee table between the two chairs.

"I'm not your lackey, Kyzer." I rounded the table and took a seat, "I need details."

"Don't get your knickers in a twist, I was getting to it." Kyzer exhaled, "Theo needs to kidnap Mallory Esposito, and I can't be seen or Astley will know,"

"He goes by Angelo Esposito now," I added, making sure it was the same person he was talking about, "and what the fuck do you want with his daughter anyway,"

"It's cute that you think I give a shit about what he's going by," Kyzer straightened, his grin nowhere in his sight, "and it's not his daughter I want anything with. I need her gone so Samuel Venari can marry someone else. It also comes as a bonus that it'll drive his fragile reputation to the ground."

Samuel Venari was Angelo's Consigliere, and I wondered how shallow the loyalties of Angelo's men were for Kyzer to lead them by their balls as he did, or perhaps, Angelo was a dead-beat asshole, and his men just wanted to quicken the cycle of his death. Either way, it was none of my business, and this little favor did me no harm as far as I could tell.

"And why can't you meet with Theo Blanc?"

"Because Angelo will know if I'm seen anywhere near him. I'm sure you know Theo is the infamous thief."

"If Angelo has men on you, then he must have them on me,"

"No, not after today, he won't."

"The fuck does that mean?"

Kyzer grinned as he straightened in his chair and crossed his legs, "Because, Theo will meet you in Bratva territory, in Chicago. His men can't reach you there, and your being in Chicago is not conspicuous, however, mine would raise alarms."

Then it dawned on me, he wanted me to go back to Chicago after I'd asked dedushka for some more time here before coming back so he could officially introduce me as his heir. The hair at the back of my neck stood up at that, however, I also knew what Angelo's fall meant for both Kyzer and Keira, and as much as I didn't care about Kyzer. I did care about Keira, even if it was warped and buried under the debris of my resentment.

"You've thought this over," I ran my hand over my stubble, eyeing Kyzer as I debated a million reasons I shouldn't agree to this.

Kyzer offered me a sad smile, "I can't afford mistakes," his words surprised me as they were quite different than the devil-may-care facade he had going for him, "Keira thinks she had those four years because we were all in hiding," I straightened at the mention of the months she was mine.

Even if she was never truly mine, her lies and legacy always took precedence over what we had.

Kyzer pinned me with the same gaze as his sister, "I've spent the last twelve years of my life building all the arsenal I would need to go up against the Chicago Outfit, and when I made a mistake the last time, Keira had to let go of the faux life she adored so much. This time a mistake would be catastrophic."

"What does it matter to you who marries Angelo's daughter?"

Kyzer smirked, "Let's say making sure that wedding doesn't happen is the ace up my sleeve," he checked his wristwatch, "I have to get going, and I'll send word out to Theo. He will know what to do."

"I'll invite him to a place we invite prospective associates," I nodded, understanding his message. "And, Kyzer? Use a fucking door this time,"

"That's no fun," Kyzer got up, fixed his clothes, and left, flicking his fingers at me.

Once he was gone, and I was alone, I realized how fucked I really was. My life was shambles, I'd found myself caught under the debris of the catastrophe I'd created. The fucked up part was that I didn't want to get up from under this debris. I may not have wanted anything to do with Chernov Bratva, but I'd found that I liked the power that came with it. More importantly, it was because the unapologetic cruelty that ran in my veins was given a free rein.

Perhaps, who I was before was a facade, and what I was now was who I really was, and like all masquerades came to an end, mine did when I'd thought Keira was dead. It was also ironic how I wanted her to stay with me now that she was gone and when she was around, I wanted her gone. My need for her always bleed through my hatred for her, and no matter what I did, I could never sew the wound that her absence had left behind. Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair, and got up, knowing there was a lot I needed to do tomorrow, starting with filling Alexei in and taking a flight to Chicago.

Alexei had taken that as well as I'd expected him to. He was never fond of my association with Keira, and my involvement in Kyzer's affairs, but it wasn't like he had a choice, and after some words, he had agreed. Not that I had needed his approval, and now I was on a flight to Chicago to meet Theo Blanc right upon my arrival. I knew it would go over well with dedushka that I was conducting business in his city before reporting to him, however, I'd deal with him later in the only way I'd learned. By offering him something he couldn't refuse.

Once the plane touched down, I'd hurried to get to the hotel I knew Theo Blanc was waiting, and considering the wedding was tomorrow, the sooner I'd met with him, the sooner he could put the plan in action. I'd also thought upon Kyzer's words. About letting Keira go, but whenever I'd even remotely consider the possibility, a phantom pain would take over my limbs, and it almost became difficult to breathe, however, the idea of forgiving her was unfathomable. It was almost like I was running in circles. I couldn't be with her in the only way she wanted, and I couldn't be without her either. The worst part was I no longer trusted myself to act on any plans I'd make regarding my joke of a relationship with Keira.

The car came to a halt and I pushed all thoughts of Keira to the back of my head as I fixed my sunglasses on my face and walked inside the place. My feet clicked against the white, tiled floor as I made my way to the conference room. One of the men with me opened the door for me and I stepped inside, surprised to find only one man sitting inside. I'd expected a thief of his caliber to come with his own security detail, or maybe he had. Looks, as I had learned, could be deceptive.

Theo adjusted his glasses over his nose and stood up when he saw me enter the room, buttoning his jacket as he too took a step away to stand right in front of me. His height was almost the same as mine, black hair neatly styled and three-piece suit without a crease in it. Considering that he was on a first name basis with Kyzer, rumor had it that Theo Blanc didn't just allow anyone to call him by his name. I would have reckoned that he was chaotic in the same way as my brother-in-law, however, with appearance alone, he looked the polar opposite of Kyzer.

I offered him my hand, "Nikolai Chernov,"

"Theo," he said, just as we both took our seats back around the table.

"I assume you're aware of what you need to do?"

"Yeah, I got the information, and rest assured it will be done."

I wasn't comfortable with the idea of kidnapping someone, but I also knew Kyzer didn't plan to harm the girl, so I kept my qualms to myself, "How long do you need to keep it?"

"Shouldn't be longer than 48 hours,"

His curt, small responses and indulgence in silence was meant to unnerve people, however, I liked that he wasn't pretentious enough to fill the silence with words. This whole meeting was a carefully crafted glass castle, and we had to play the part for reasons that were unique to both of us. I knew who he was, a thief, and he knew who I was, a future Pakhan. Both criminals in our jurisprudence, however, my kind had naturally assumed the position of criminal royalty for no reason besides the fact that we were a brotherhood.

Our phones vibrated on the table at the same time, and when he reached for his, his muscles loosened for a fraction of a second before he covered it up as he typed something. I already knew what the message was and had no interest in reading it right now.

"I assume you won't harm the girl," he tucked his phone back in his pocket and regarded me indifferently.

"A thief never harms prized merchandise," he shrugged before adding, "and it's not the kind of thing I usually do, but I owed Kyzer a favor. I am, however, curious as to why he would waste it on something so mundane."

"Maybe it's not so mundane to him, as they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure."

"You're right," Theo said, his eyes falling over my vibrating phone, "I suggest you take that, we have discussed everything we needed to."

"I suppose so," I nodded, standing up, and walked Theo out before I turned the screen on and looked at the messages from dedushka. And I just knew it was about time I surrendered to my fate and accepted what he had been wanting me to take for years now.

A seat at his table as his apparent heir. Not one who was hiding out, but one he could flaunt and throw in his enemies' faces. Alexei had also texted me a location on Keira, however, he'd also mentioned that she was always on the move so it'd been hard to pin her, and if I wanted to be precise I would need Kyzer to tell me, who seemed in no rush to disclose my wife's whereabouts to me. I'd decided to deal with Kyzer later, and get my wife's whereabouts from him as soon as I was done with this shit-show I'd run for myself. The mansion's doors slid open once the guards had realized it was me inside the car, and the car drove up the road. The landscape around here always had a meditative quality and despite myself, I found myself staring outside as the trees passed us by. Soon enough the brick-walled mansion came into view and I stiffened in my seat, fully aware that I shouldn't have felt this way meeting my own grandfather, but ever since I came to him eight years ago, he was more my Pakhan than grandfather.

I steeled my emotions just as the car stopped, some leaves that hadn't been cleaned yet crunched under it as someone opened the door for me and I stepped out in front of the house that always kept more ghosts than it did people.

Once I'd been led inside the room, I noticed dedushka get up once he'd seen me and approach me,

"Dobriy den, Kolya." He took my hand in a firm handshake and then patted me on the back. Age had been kind to him, but even that couldn't stop his weakness from becoming apparent. He no longer seemed like someone immortal, except he would be, even after death did take him. "I would've appreciated it if you brought your wife. After all, it's best we arrange a reception so everyone can meet the both of you."

Denying him had never gotten anyone anywhere, and it was a futile endeavor anyway, considering he had the means to get shit done in the way he wanted. Not to mention if he got a whiff of the shit Keira was up to, he would sooner kill her than accept her as my wife, "She was with her brother, but she'll be here the next time."

"Next time?" Dedushka arched his wrinkled brow as he took his seat again, and only when he was settled did he allow me to take my seat. "I would've thought you would move here for good now. I've entertained your whims long enough, boy. There's a way things are done here."

"I have some business back in Moscow, once that's settled, I'll be here."

"You have been saying that for years now, Kolya." His stern words lost their effect when he coughed, but his fit of coughing had ants crawling up my spine, after all, despite everything, he was the only remaining family I had left. And he adored his daughter, just not enough to keep her only child out of this. And he'd made that abundantly clear when I was given his name as my middle name. "There's a way things are done here. You need to meet the people you will lead one day. My blood isn't the only reason they will accept you."

He glared at me and I swallowed, knowing the words I'd say next would change everything, if not just the apparent course of my life, "Give me two months, and then I'll move back."

A ghost of a smile graced his lips, "Alright, Kolya. Take these two months and then I expect both you and your wife here. I'll have your rooms ready when you do." I nodded, "Now while you're here, how about you attend the meeting I have tomorrow at breakfast?"

Like I'd said before, denying him wasn't an option, "Of course." If I hadn't known I'd sealed my fate, I did now.

Nikolai Alexandrovich Chernov. The heir to the Chicago Bratva and it almost appeared that whoever I was before this had died a cold, lonely death long ago in the throes of his grief.

* * *

So what do you think?

Thoughts/theories?

How do you feel about Kyzer? And what he's upto? If you're curious, he gets a book right after Till Death Do Us Part. And if you have any guessed about his girl hmu!

I know I take ages to update but I promised you a good ending for them and I will deliver, it's just uni is my prime focus for now! On that note, I have a few questions from you asking how many chapters this will have, and I don't quite know yet. I know we're getting closer to the end, how when exactly will I end the book? I don't know...Thank you so much for reading; please vote and comment; I love hearing your thoughts!