Page 94 of Cruel Russian Monster
He folded his arms over his chest as his lips curled into a slow, venomous grin. “And not only will you give me access to your Eastern Europe route, but I also want access to the Balkan Passage and your West Africa-to-South Florida pipeline. My crews move through all three with no questions asked.”
Jaroslav's hold around my waist tightened a fraction.
“He's a fucking madman,” Marten muttered behind us.
“I'm sure we can adjust a shipment to two,” Jaroslav stated, voice angry but controlled. “But we're not giving you a percentage of our drug revenue or access to those other two routes.”
“Then the war will continue,” Artyom snarled. “And if you think I give a damn that my sisters are here, I don't. One sister is by default, and the other is a traitor. It will just show the other factions that if you double-cross me, you will get what's coming to you…blood or not.”
I swallowed. If I didn't step in, things would escalate.
“Artyom, let's talk about it. Please don't ruin our relationship like this,” I said softly.
I hoped that Artyom still had some compassion sitting in that rigid body of his, because I sure as hell needed it to come out now.
“Vera, you went behind my back to marry him! That's not how it's done! We have rules! You know this! And it wasn't just anyone, it was a damn Safin bastard!” he yelled.
I flinched, but instead of stepping back, I stepped closer to him. Jaroslav's grip tightened. I turned back to him and mouthed “please.” Reluctantly, his fingers loosened. They lingered for a few seconds longer before falling away.
“Artyom, Jaroslav is no longer the enemy. He is my husband and an ally to the Rykov faction. We didn't do things by protocol, and for that, we take full responsibility, and we're sorry.”
I took Artyom's hand in mine. I expected him to pull away, but he didn't.
“You've always said that having an ally is better than having an enemy. Artyom, you're my older brother, and I loveyou. But I also love Jaroslav, and he's the man that I want to live with…the man I've started my family with.”
A flash of confusion ran across Artyom's face, then he spoke. “Vera, you're pregnant?”
I nodded.
“Fuck,” Artyom whispered.
“You'll be an uncle, again. I want you to be a part of our child's life, as I do Yegor, Zahkar and Kira. But I can't do that if we're fighting each other. We may not have always seen eye to eye, but we've always been stronger together…as a team.”
I felt Jaroslav's hand on the small of my back.
“She's right, Artyom. We're stronger together. We've been enemies for too long. We've both made mistakes, but together, we can work over the hurdles and come out stronger than before.”
Jaroslav paused and looked around the room. “This, right here, right now, is what we have to fight for. Our brothers, our sisters, our children, and our nephews. This is deeper than the faction. This is about protecting our blood, which was given to us by blood right.”
Artyom sank into one of the chairs. No one said a word. Then he looked up at Jaroslav. “Fine. The only offer I’ll accept is the Eastern European smuggling route, two monthly shipments, access to your south ports as well as your West Africa-to-South Florida pipeline. And you have my word that I'll cease the war. We'll have a meeting to design a peace treaty document—what was gained between both families and the consequences of going against the treaty.”
I looked up and Lev then at Jaroslav. Lev nodded.
Artyom stood and he stepped forward, extending his hand.
Jaroslav took it firmly.
“Artyom, not a problem. We'll schedule a meeting soon with our lawyers. You have my word that we'll do things fairly and we won't try to one up you.”
Lev extended his hand next and Artyom shook it.
Artyom looked at Yegor. “Make sure Kira reaches home safely.”
Without another word, Artyom walked out the door.
“Now that this war is over, I think we should hit the club!” Ninel said excitedly.
“I second!” Kira's hand shot into the air.
