Page 52 of Bratva Hunter

RORIC

Tomorrow is the party. Raised voices echo from the front porch as I step off the stairs heading to the kitchen. I change course and open the door to my growling father and Banner Campbell.

Banner grits his teeth. “You’re the pakhan of a bratva; no better than the Aguilars.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. We don’t do what they do.”

Pulling the door, I move forward. “Stop!”

Both eyes flick to me with my father smirking. “We were just getting acquainted. I just came for the party.”

“Ha.” It’s never simple with the pakhan. “I invited you with the expectation you’d get along. What the fuck is going on out here?”

He flicks his hand toward Banner. “We were discussing Marco and his group. I suggested we just hunt them down and bury them in the desert. This is Texas. Bodies all over the place.”

Rolling my eyes, I motion for the two to follow me off the porch. “First, Marco isn’t a threat. Banner has the security well in hand. Two. This party is for my pregnant wife.”

Banner’s head jerks around to me. “Pregnant. That’s fast.”

I smirk. “Russian.” Poking Banner is going to be fun. Fingers did some research. There’s a family relationship between his best friend, Maxim Petrov and the Campbells. Maxim’s father has a reputation as an assassin that puts mine to shame.

His quick laugh makes me like him even more. He faces my father. “I’m prepared for Marco Aguilar. He’s a sex-trafficking, drug smuggling, murdering asshole, and I’m hoping he gives me a reason to shoot him.” His smile lifts. “This is Texas, after all.”

We both laugh as Jackson strolls up behind us. He extends his hand to my father. “Good afternoon. You must be Mikhail.”

He nods. “I am. Thank you for the invitation to celebrate.”

“You and your family are always welcome.”

My father takes the man’s arm to lead him back to the house. “You and your wife should come to New York. My treat.” The two laugh.

Banner blows out a breath. “Bravikov Bratva here in Dallas.” His words carry a weight that reminds me of who I am.

“He’s worried that Marco will try to take Rosa, and I’ll kill him.”

“You have a reputation for that.” My eyebrow raises as Banner nods. “Can’t find anyone who died by your hand that didn’t deserve it.” He clicks his tongue, and I wait for the news he’s about to share. “My grandfather, the former Vice President, Angus Campbell, will be attending with many other Campbells. You’ll be outnumbered.”

The party just got more exciting. I chuckle to myself as I walk away to find my bride.

Walking through their house, I listen to the playful banter between my father and Rosa’s mother. They’re sitting aroundthe large kitchen table drinking sweet tea. My father, the Bravikov Pakhan, drinks sweet tea? He looks up and ticks his head at me. “It’s a good thing I brought my tuxedo. Apparently even Angus Campbell is attending.”

“So, I heard.” I sit down next to Rosa and run my fingers down her arm, eliciting a smile. “What’s Mrs. Martin making for dinner tonight?”

Raquel answers. “Another favorite of Rosa’s: chicken fried chicken.”

Rosa leans against my body as she takes in the flirting between our parents. I haven’t seen my father flirt with a woman since my mother died. My father swipes Raquel’s lock of hair behind her ear, eliciting a blush. Can’t say this has happened since my mother. He only uses random women for sex, and that’s about all.

Rosa whispers. “I think I’ll go lie down.”

“I’ll walk you up.”

She smiles. It’s the kind of smile she offered to me while we ran from her uncles. Maybe she’s thawing. I stand to help her up as approving glances show around the table. She kisses her mother’s cheek. “I’ll be back for dinner. I’m just tired.”

Swinging open the bedroom door as we rush through, Rosa turns to run her hands under my shirt. “Take it off.” The lust on her face is heady. She kicks off her shoes and drops her capris, glancing up at me. “Pants off. Take it all off.”

Nodding, I take off my shoes and shed my shirt, unbuttoning my pants as she moves to the center of the bed. My tongue hangs out. She’s stunning. I stop at the side of the bed as my cock stands at full attention. “You’re beautiful.”

“Thanks.” Cocking her head, she motions to the bed. “Fuck me.”

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