Page 28 of Hers to Command

The question is how I’ll make sure I am the one deciding how things go from here.

After Mrs. Batton leaves me to explore the rest of the house, I find myself pacing in Riccardo’s study, my thoughts running at high speed. I have protection now, real protection, which is a much better operating base than I had before, even thoughthat protection is contingent on Riccardo keeping up his end of the bargain. For now, though, Riccardo has made it clear that he’s committed to keeping me safe, and that changes everything. Although part of me wants to curl into a ball and keep crying, I’m finally in a position to act and I’m not going to waste that.

I stop pacing and grab my phone, hesitating for a moment before scrolling to Sergei’s number. My chest tightens. The last time I spoke to him was over my father’s dead body. Now, it’s about planning his funeral. I sit on the edge of the large leather chair, tapping the phone screen with fingers that feel too stiff.

I shake my hand out. I don’t have time to wallow in grief, not right now.

The phone rings, and I steel myself as Sergei picks up. His voice is gruff, tired.

“Anya.”

“We need to make arrangements for the funeral.” The words are heavier than I thought they’d be, like they’re being ripped from me piece by piece. “Has anything been decided yet?”

There’s a pause on the other end, and I can hear Sergei exhale slowly. “Nothing’s set. Some of the men have been handling basic logistics, but no one wanted to act without consulting you.” He hesitates. “Some even asked about Mikhail.”

I clench my teeth for a second.

“I’ll arrange something soon, but I’ll need your help.”

“Of course,” he says, his tone softening.

I push through the painful ache tightening in my chest and move on to the more pressing matter. “How are the men handling everything?” My voice firms. “With my father gone... are they leaning towards Dmitri?”

There’s a brief silence, and when Sergei finally speaks, there’s a note of surprise in his voice. “Not as much as Dmitri would like. He’s trying to assert himself, acting like he’s already in charge. But the men... most are hesitant. They don’t know him.And the idea of marrying you off to him? That didn’t sit well with everyone. They respected your father, and for a lot of them, the idea that Dmitri can just waltz in here and take over feels... well, it feels wrong.”

I lean back in the chair, letting Sergei’s words sink in. I hadn’t expected this. Dmitri had been so confident, so sure that the Bratva would fall in line simply because of the deal that had been in the works. But it sounds like my father’s men are less eager to accept him than I thought.

“The marriage deal isn’t enough for them?” I ask, curious.

“Apparently not,” Sergei replies. “It was your father’s plan, not theirs. They don’t trust Dmitri, not yet. He’s too much of an outsider. The Brotherhood doesn’t have the roots here that your father’s crew does. The way Dmitri’s been acting, some of the men are feeling pushed, like he’s trying to force them to choose him without earning it.”

“And what about you?” I ask, holding my breath. Sergei never showed any interest in taking over for my father, older than him by a few years, but it’s not an entirely absurd notion. But if he lent Dmitri his support, it would most certainly lead to most of the men following suit.

After another pause, Sergei’s deep voice eases my worry. “I’m here to help you.”

I let out a slow breath. That’s more support than I dared hope for and far more than I expected. It’s not like my father ever gave me the opportunity to prove myself. Unless... perhaps my work running the club hadn’t gone unnoticed. At least some of the men would have realized that I spent significantly more time in that office running the business than Mikhail ever did.

My mind races with the possibilities. Should I tell Sergei about Dmitri’s attempt to kidnap me? Or would that confirm my father’s assumption that women are weak and at-risk, and overall not well-suited to run things?

No. Especially since I’d also have to explain how I got rescued by Riccardo.

If the men are hesitant, that’s something I can work with. Dmitri’s whole strategy rests on securing control through me and this supposed marriage that was meant to unite our families. But if the men aren’t sold on him, if they’re still looking for a leader they can trust...

“Thank you, Sergei,” I say, my voice stronger now.

“I’ll stay in touch about the funeral,” he promises.

I end the call and sit there, phone still in my hand, staring at the table. Respect has to be earned, trust has to be built, and right now, that’s not happening for Dmitri. I stand, my pulse quickening as a plan forms. If Dmitri can’t secure the loyalty he needs, then there’s a vacuum waiting to be filled. A vacuum I could take advantage of.

I might not have been groomed for this life like my brother, but I understand it better than most. Certainly want it more than he ever did.

The problem is, I might have the safety I need at the moment, but I also have a husband who is going to make it very difficult to convince any Russian to let me take over operations. Fucking irony.

Once Sergei finds out about my marriage, will that ruin any chance of me winning him over as an ally, even if I find a good way to tell him?

I’m still pondering that dilemma a couple hours later when Riccardo walks into the living room, where I’m sitting with a tea and a plate filled with fruit and cookies that Mrs. Batton has brought me a little while ago.

“You’re home early.”

---