Page 47 of Married to the Don (Kornilov Bratva Duet 1)

“How will they be dealt with?” Rio asks.

“That is for me to decide,” I snap, pulling back my top lip in a snarl. “I came here because I respect your family and wanted to tell you that our relationship is, in my opinion, as strong as ever. I hope you won’t allow the actions of two men to change your good opinion of me.”

‘Good opinion’ is a stretch, and I can see that in Mario’s face, even though he’s more skilled at masking his emotions than his son.

“Assuming those men are dealt with,” he says, lifting his chin and looking at me down the long hook of his nose, “then we can part as friends.”

“That’s great news.”

“And I expect this won’t be an issue for us moving forward.”

“Nothing is an issue unless I say it is. And I say nothing is an issue. Are we clear?”

He nods stiffly. “We have had few problems this last year.” Since Fedor has been locked away, he means. “But I do worry what will happen now.”

“Now?” I ask, not following.

“Well, with the release of your brother. I suspect that is why your attention has been divided.”

I frown in earnest now, drawing my brows together. “I don’t—”

Mario interrupts me again, only this time I don’t mind as much. Mostly because I’m trying to wrap my mind around what he’s saying.

“I know Fedor is your family, and I would never wish to speak ill of him, but even you must admit he’s impulsive,” Mario says.

Rio snorts as though that’s the kindest possible way of putting it, and he isn’t wrong.

“Fedor is a risk to your authority, so in the spirit of our renewed friendship, I will help you keep an eye on him now that he’s released.”

Petr stiffens next to me, letting me know he doesn’t know what Mario is talking about either.

Mario tilts his head to the side, studying me. Fuck. I have been too obvious. He senses a vulnerability. “Unless my intel is incorrect. I heard this afternoon that Fedor had been released. That lawyer your father kept employed all those years worked his magic and got him freed.”

I didn’t hear. Nobody called me. I visited Fedor just a few days ago. Kent wasn’t there, and I found myself distracted with thoughts of Molly and what we’d done in bed the night before. Did he say something about being released? If he had, surely I would remember it.

I don’t want Mario to know I’m out of the loop, though.

“I’m sure your intel is serving you well,” I say as casually as I can.

He nods, still watching me carefully. Finally, he shrugs. “If you’d like, I can have my men keep an eye out for Fedor. We will let you know if he starts stepping out of bounds.”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”

“Ahh, I wouldn’t be so sure,” Mario says. “I’m sure you remember how he enjoys playing people against one another. I would hate for that to happen with us.”

“My brother doesn’t control who I am on good terms with, but I thank you for your concern.”

Mario nods in understanding.

The conversation wraps up with the usual pleasantries, but by the time we get back in the car, I’m ready to peel out of there.

I need to get back home as soon as possible.

“Did you not know Fedor was out?” Petr asks. “Do you think it’s true?”

“I don’t know,” I tell him truthfully. “But I intend to find out.”

If Petr thinks me flying through the city to see my brother is curious, he doesn’t mention it. He doesn’t complain when I drop him off at the office, barely coming to a full stop to let him out of the car. The second the door is closed, I screech out of the lot and head for home.

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