Page 91 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride
She is an enigma that I am still learning.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I groan. Glancing at the screen, I see Ardalion’s name flashing across it. I can’t ignore this call.
I need to thank him for the information he shared. It turns out that being in a temporary alliance with him paid off—he’s the reason Ulyana is here with me now, unharmed. If he hadn’t told me Miron was seen going into that hotel, I might have left Ulyana to spend the night there, respecting her need for space.
Flicking the screen, I answer the call on speaker.
“Ardalion, I’m glad you called,” I say, my eyes on my wife, soaking in the hot tub, looking peaceful and relaxed.
“I just heard about the siltation with your precious little lady. I heard you got there just in time, thanks to the tipIshared with you.”
Not wanting to disturb Ulyana’s peace and quiet, I step out of the bathroom and sit on the edge of our bed, my body tired from the adrenaline slowly fading out of my blood.
“That’s true, I did. And that’s why I’m glad you called. I wanted to say thank you,” I reply.
He laughs, but it sounds off. He doesn’t sound happy for me, or happy he could help. He sounds like he just got told he won something.
I ignore his laughter and carry on talking. “So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your help with this matter. I appreciate it. My family is safe thanks to your information.”
He laughs again, making me regret the heartfelt, meaningful thanks I just gave him, and I ask, “Is there something amusing that I’m not understanding? My wife almost died tonight. Nothing about this situation is funny.”
“Saying thank you is one thing, but at the end of the day, it’s the value of what I did for you that needs to be paid back to me. Infull.”
Is he kidding me right now?
“That’s not how an alliance works, Ardalion. Even a temporary one. We both benefit from Miron being gone—it’s the reason youagreedto be a part of this in the first place. There was never a reward discussed. Like I said, that’s not how it works.”
He’s pissing me off.
I bite down on the building anger, reminding myself that he really was the reason I reached Ulyana in time. Even if he’s being an asshole now.
“Mm. Sometimes the way things work isn’t the best way—and honestly, don’t you think you owe me more than words. As a thank you? Isn’t what you got out of it worth it?”
“My wife’s life? You want something equal to the value of my wife’s life?” I sigh, shaking my head, frustrated to be having this conversation after such a long night. I should’ve ignored the call. I should’ve known better.
Ardalion is being stupid. He could have used my gratitude to form a stronger alliance, to play it cool, benefiting over the long game. But instead he’s just reminding me again why I despise him and never wanted an alliance in the first place.
“Correct,” Ardalion says, assuming he’s getting somewhere in this negotiation that isn’t a negotiation at all.
“And what do you think is a fair ‘thank you’ for honoring your side of the alliance?” I say, emphasizing the original agreement again.
“I want a portion of Las Vegas,” he says confidently.
“You’re fucking kidding me,” I huff. The words are out of my mouth before I can filter them into something more diplomatic. Then I think, fuck it, this guy’s a fucking moronasking for a piece of my kingdom for simply doing his part in an alliance.
“I’m not sure why you think this would be something I’d joke about,” Ardalion snaps, annoyed with my response.
“Ardalion, let me be very clear to you. You run your kingdom there in Los Angeles, and I run my kingdom here in Las Vegas. You have more than enough territory, and more than enough to keep you busy. Stay on your side of the line. Don’t piss me off and don’t push your luck.”
He likes that response even less and lets out a low growl from the other side of the line. “You fucking agreed to the alliance, too.”
“Well, the alliance is over. The transaction is concluded. Miron is dead. For Nestor’s sake, because he is an honorable man and I value his business and his friendship, I am willing to be reasonable with you and cooperate with certain things that we can discuss when you’ve come to your senses. But in the meantime, things are exactly as they were before Miron was ever part of the picture.”
“You’re making a mistake, Benedikt. I deserve a piece of your land,” he shouts, angrily.
“Deserve?” I laugh. “Have a good evening, Ardalion. Send my greeting to your sister, I hear you’re still looking for a husband for her. That poor girl deserves better than you.”
He takes in a sharp breath, ready to tear me to pieces with his reply, but before he has a chance to say anything, I hang up.
