Page 36 of Heritage of Fire

“Da. Thought with you being a married man now you’d get as boring as Luka.” Dmitry chuckles at himself. But I don’t laugh.

Most of the men consider Luka stoic and cold while still being as excellent pakhan. When Kate came into his life, she changed him. He’s more relaxed and approachable. Definitelymore compassionate. Most of the Bratva welcomed this change—some, however, did not.

I think Kate is the best thing to ever happen to Luka. She’s perfect for him. They challenge each other, and they’retrulya powerhouse couple. It’s great. Forhim.

“Nah. You know me,” I say, winking at the waitress who can’t take her eyes off me. “I wouldn’t ever truly settle down. It’s all alliances and arrangements.”

I lift my glass to my brothers, and they do the same. My smirk fades when I glimpse my black ring through the glass. It’s an annoying presence, but one I can’t seem to shake.

I toss back the vodka I’d planned on sipping and wipe my mouth with my knuckles. The burn of liquor rivals the burn in my chest. I raise my empty glass at the beautiful blonde who’s leaning against the bar and twirling her hair around her pointer finger. She smiles and swishes over to refill my glass.

Thisis what I need.

When I wake the next morning, I immediately know I’ve slept in too late. The blaring lights are making my head pound, and I reach over to the nightstand to switch off the lamp. Instead, I turn it on, effectively giving myself a minor brain aneurysm.

Why is it sobright?

The sun peeks through the trees, casting shadows along the floor. Face twisted to the side in my pillow, I groan, willing my body to move. Water is a must—I’m parched, and my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth.

When I finally lift my head a fraction, I notice Luna’s spot in bed is empty. My stomach rolls. I tilt my head towardthe bathroom, exposing the ear that was smashed into my pillow to hear if the shower is running. I don’t hear anything.

Grabbing my phone, I check the time, and my eyes widen.

Damn it. 11 a.m.

I open a text from Luka informing me he’d like to meet later this afternoon, and I barely manage to type out the reply telling him I can be there around four. Crawling from the bed, I drag myself to the shower and let the water and soap wash the lingering scent of alcohol and bar stench from my body.

When I feel seminormal, I throw on my suit pants and a navy button-down wishing I could wear sweatpants. Emerging from the bedroom, I seek out Luna. I make two laps around the apartment, darting from the living room to the kitchen without any luck. I quench my dry mouth, then take the stairs two at a time to speak with Frank.

He isn’t in his usual spot.

Whereiseveryone?

The main warehouse is quiet. We usually don’t have many men here on the weekend, but still. As I move through the remainder of the building, laughter sprinkles in through the open back door. I jog toward the lush sound. Once outside, I curse the sun as it blinds me.

Then I spot Lev and Luna chatting beneath a shaded tree.

“Good afternoon, sir.” Frank’s voice scares me from where he leans against the building, and I practically jump, diverting my eyes from where Luna sits.

“Frank.” I nod at him and cross my arms. My gaze shifts back to Luna, and I will her to look at me.

Why? Why do you care?

After what feels like twenty minutes, I stalk over to the two of them. They’re sitting on a small blanket, and I notice two disposable coffee cups when I get closer. A book is propped open next to Luna, the gentle breeze rustling the pages.

Was she so captivated by Lev that she decided to forgo her book? I clear my throat and Luna’s eyes dart to mine. Lev’s, however, linger on Luna a second longer before he turns to me.

“Nik,” Luna says, “how are you feeling?”

I raise my eyebrows at her. How am Ifeeling? What wasthatquestion supposed to mean?

I don’t have to wait long for an answer, because Lev chuckles out, “Yeah, Boss, you came home plastered last night. Frank and I had to escort you to your room.”

A brief memory of Igor driving me home comes back to me, and I groan, realizing I left my car in the city. Now I’ll have to have someone drive me back for it—Frank is the promising candidate.

“I’m fine,” I clip out, and Luna offers me a smile. “You make an early Saturday morning coffee run, Lev?”

I ask him this while staring at Luna. Her hand twitches around her paper cup. A small bit of light pink gloss lines the rim where she’s put her mouth.

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