“Are you wishing we kept him alive?” Ivan asked.
“Yes.”
“And this is why you never act in the heat of the moment. You allow things to fester, and you’re calm.” Ivan smiled.
“Is that why you haven’t decided between The Butcher or The Beast to take over from Oleg?” I asked.
Ivan shrugged.
“So it is them.”
“It’s not like it’s a shock. They’re the onlytwo people capable of bringing order to the territory.”
“Why not just makea decision?” I asked.
“I like to make sure I’m making the right decision and I like to have certain things in play before I decide.”
“The longer you leave it, the higher the riskof that territory being reclaimed.”
“True, unless I already have plans in place.” Ivan pressed his finger to his lips. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“So, a puppy?”
“Yes.”
I stared at Ivan and thought about him at my home with Charlotte. He seemed close to her lastnight. I’d not had the chance to call Slavik and Andrei yet.
“Are you attracted to my wife?” I asked.
This made Ivan chuckle. He lifted his watch and smiled. “You took your time. I expected you to ask me the moment I showed up. Instead, you waited a goodtwenty minutes. You are showing patience.”
“You know I’m apatient man.”
“No, you’re a patient man when it comes to extracting information, unless you’re in a desperate situation. You’ve always been a man of action, Ive. That’s not going to change.”
“You’ve not answered my question.”
“Because you know the answer to it, my friend. If I was attracted to Charlotte, she wouldn’t be your wife.”
I knew that.
“Why are you spending time with her?” I asked.
Ivan tutted. “I spend time with all new wives.”
“Yes, but Charlotte is the first you’ve given your blessing to so quickly.”
“That is true. I will arrange for her ink once we’ve dealt with this order of business,” Ivan said.
“What is it about her?” I asked.
Ivan turned his head toward me. “You don’t know? I’mpretty sure we can both agree that Charlotte is a wonderful person.”
I got up from my seat and moved to the front of my desk. I leaned against it and folded my arms across my chest as I stared at the man who’d granted me everything I ever wanted. All I had to do was be loyal. I would die for this man.
Ivan had been true to his word. He never lied. He never offered false promises, and he never turned his backon any of his men. I admired him. The power had never gone to his head and I had to wonder if that was because he made a point of being hands-on.
Most Bratva bosses had men deal with their brigadiers. There were spies, and the Boss stayed out of the line of fire. Ivan was always there. Always willing to shoot and take the bullet.
“She’s been through a lot,” I said. Her scars tell the whole story.
“You see the darkness in her eyes, Ive. We know some of what she’s been through. We met her at eighteen, and for eighteen years, she was at the mercy of a man who couldn’t stand her. A man who wouldn’t even let her have a dog to love. He wanted her to be alone. I have to wonder what she would choose if you offered her a life of luxury or the undying love of a man?”
I thought about last night. Charlotte had wanted a kiss. She hadchosen affection.
“If you gave her a chance, Ive, I have a feeling you both would be very happy.”
“She’s young.”
“And she has only experienced pain and loss. We both know what that’s like. We were able to fight back. She didn’t have that luxury. I’m not attracted to Charlotte, Ive. She has my compassion. Even after everything she’s been through, she was willing to give me a chance, and I imagine she will give you a chance as well.”
“Achance at what?” I asked.”To protect her. To do what no one else has ever been able to do. I feel that Charlotte wants to belong, she wants to be loved, she wants to be cherished. I also believe she fears it. You see, rejection is easy. She has lived with that all her life, but love is scary for her, and that I find so very sad.”
I think this had to be one of the longest conversations on feelings I’ve ever had with Ivan. I didn’t like it and I was more than pleased when Rage knocked on the door. I called for him to come in, and right behind him followed Hank Belafonte. Rage had told us last night that he could make the arrangements to bring Hank in.
Two of my men held a thrashing Hank. There was a gag on his mouth, his hands were tied, and there was blood dripping from his nose.
“I offer you Hank Belafonte. Hank, I’d like you to meet those men you’ve told me whose days are numbered. I believe they would like a word with you.”