Page 1 of The Pakhan's Sold Bride

Chapter 1 - Nestor

The views stretch out from the top floor of my mansion across the San Francisco Bay Area. Gorgeous, endless ocean views that run as far as the eye can see.

San Francisco belongs to me. This is my city.

Nothing happens here without me knowing about it or having a controlling factor in it.

The West Coast is run by five families. Five unchallengeable strengths, each dominating one city. We work together to make sure things run the way they should, to keep everyone in line, and allow the flow of business within the city to be fair and economical for those we allow to be involved.

This network of alliances creates a good web of support. We give and receive and build together. By maintaining this alliance, we maintain our own power. And my power is unquestionable.

Which is why it pisses me off to indescribable heights when my stepbrother insists, over and over again, on testing my patience and understanding.

Miron has been on a relentless track to try and overthrow my throne. He thinks he has what it takes to overpower me. To take over San Francisco. He has no idea what he’s getting himself into. And my patience is wearing thin.

“He didn’t get the last warning?” Ulyana asks. She sits on the sofa with her legs draped over the arm of the chair. She has the latest copy of her favorite fashion magazine in her hand, but it’s closed as she scrunches her face towards me. “He can’t be that stupid.”

My sister is twenty-two, twelve years younger than me. But she’s sharp, sassy, and street smart.

“I don’t need you worrying about Miron. You need to focus on college. When do you go back?”

She’s been staying with me during her summer break.

“At five. But are you going to be okay here without me? Who is going to remind you to eat your vegetables?” she teases.

I snort. “I’m sure I’ll manage.”

Huffing loudly, she opens the magazine again, and I pace near the window, waiting for the call from Roan, my right-hand man. I want to know what the hell Miron got into now.

“Miron the Moron, is an idiot if he thinks you don’t know what he’s doing,” Ulyana says from behind her magazine. “Him and his stupid father.”

“I know. I don’t know why our mother married that guy. You and I tried to accept him, we’ve given them both a fair chance, I’d say. But I’m over it now. Miron and his father need to go. I think Sergei married Mom for the power, not love. I wish she could see that.”

“Mom’s smarter than you think, Nestor,” my sister says.

“I hope so. The times I’ve tried to talk to her about it, she hasn’t exactly wanted to hear what I had to say.”

Giving up on waiting for the call, I toss my phone onto the table near the window and sit down.

“Did you have lunch yet?” I ask Ulyana.

“I did. Hey, you know what I was thinking? You should find a girl and get married.”

Laughter rolls from my chest in a loud outburst. “Married. Why the hell do you think I’d want to get married?”

“No, listen, this is a good idea. If you get married, you make babies. Little heirs to the kingdom. Miniature Nestors. Then there’ll be no more mistaking who takes over after you, and Miron and his father can get lost.”

I clench my jaw. I hate to admit it, but she’s on to something. An heir would solve a lot of problems for me. The bloodline would continue, and the kingdom would stay in the family. Questions about who is next in line would vanish.

“I guess I’ll get right on that. Finding a wife. I’ll put it right at the top of my list,” I say sarcastically.

Ulyana picks up one of the throw pillows from the sofa and lobs it at me. I catch it, chuckling.

“You’re an asshole. You just don’t want to admit that your little sister is smarter than you and came up with the idea before you.”

“No, I can admit it. It’s a good idea. Just not practical right at this moment.”

“Well, you better hurry and make it happen.” She stands from the sofa and stretches. “I’m going to pack.”

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