Ivan’s POV
MOSCOW. SIX DAYS LATER
“You went straight to Russia and didn’t bother to tell me you weren’t coming back to Norway?” Sasha snapped.
I groaned inwardly, I should have rejected the call, but I couldn’t. Sasha was relentless, she would keep on calling until I lost my mind.
“Now you know, so what is the issue here, sister?” I asked calmly.
“The issue? Is it so bad that I’m worried about you and your well-being?”
I sighed heavily. “No.”
“Now you’re talking,” she said, and there was a hint of happiness in her voice. “So how did the meeting with Smith go?”
“I got him to sign the agreement documents, he will have meetings with the board members and after that, the shares will be transferred to me .”
She was quiet for a moment and I removed the phone from my ear to check if the call disconnected.
“Sasha?” I called once I confirmed it was connected.
“Sorry, I was just thinking,” She replied.
“About?”
She blew out a long breath. “I’m just sceptical about the whole thing. What if things go south? I don’t think Smith or anyone would willingly give up larger percentages of their company shares. That puts you in control of his companies.”
She had a point, but I had everything under control. I’m not so foolish to trust Tom Smith blindly and I had a backup plan. I was going to get what I wanted, I would do whatever it took.
“You don’t have to worry, he can’t do shit. I left Marco behind to keep a close watch on him. I will be back in London in a few days to see how things are going.”
“Okay, I guess you have it all figured out then,” she mused. “Sidorov told me what happened on the day of the engagement party,” she said in an accusing tone.
For a minute I thought she was going to give me a sermon on how it was risky to have attacked Tom Smith in such a crowded place filled with important guests.
“You met with Sophia Smith,” She continued. “You said you weren’t attending the engagement party for her but to have a talk with Smith in person.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Sid is your spy now since Maxim is out?”
She snorts. “Whatever you say, I just need someone to look after you while you’re away.”
“You’re aware that I’m an adult and I’m older than you?”
“Yes, but you need someone to look after you too.”
I let out an exasperated sigh, it was no use arguing with her.
A knock rang out on my door. “Sasha, I have to go, we can talk about this later.”
“Alright.” She hangs up.
“Come in.” The door opened and Sidorov breezed in, and from his facial expression, I could tell already that something was wrong.
“What is it?” I asked as soon as he was seated.
“Leonardo Gambetta is here to see you, he looks irritated. I think he’s here about the contract,” He explained.
I hummed thoughtfully. I had expected him sooner than this seeing as I ruined his plans of expanding his business.
“Let him in.”
He left and after a while, the door opened. Leonardo Gambetta. He looked relaxed but I could tell he was fuming.
“Gambetta,” I said. “Have a seat.”
He grunted but said nothing.
I turned back to my iPad as he took a seat. He glanced over at me, adjusting his collar. When he cleared his throat, I looked up at him. “What can I do for you, Gambetta? It’s early.”
He scoffed. “It’s almost noon,” spouted out. He leaned forward in his chair. “And I don’t think it is too early to point out that you snatched the opportunity for me to build a casino in London from under my nose.”
I feigned innocence. “What are you talking about? Mr. Dickson has decided that land comes to me and I can start construction once the papers have been finalized.” I stared right at him unflinchingly. I’d be damned to let a piece of shit like Gambetta stare me down.
After my mother passed, I made it a mission to build foundations for cancer patients, especially those who couldn’t afford treatment in various cities in Europe. I’d met up with Charles Dickson, the foreign secretary. I offered him double of what Leonardo Gambetta was offering for that land, and I made sure he knew I wasn’t to be toyed with, he was a corrupt politician and greedy too. I had to be smart.
“Fucking bullshit,” he snapped, leaning toward My desk like He wanted to upend it. Instead, he sucked in a long, slow breath. “Charles Dickson and I were already talking about the plans for months, he had already told me he would give me that land, and then suddenly he’s got a better buyer which turned out to be you. I find that very suspicious.”
I titled my head. “You find that suspicious? I made a better offer and I’m using it for a good cause, don’t think you can compete with that.”
Leonardo Gambetta and I stared at each other. I watched his left eye twitch.
“I wanted that land, Kozlov,” He gritted out, veins popping on his forehead. “I had plans to expand my casino in London.”
I shrugged. “You can’t always get what you want, Gambetta. Especially when it is the same thing I want.”
He stood up abruptly as his face turned red with rage. “This isn’t over yet,” he growled. He left, slamming the door.
Sidorov comes back in.
“We’ll be heading back to London soon,” I said as soon as he settled down.
He whistled and grinned knowingly. “Yes sir,” he mocked.
“What was that for?” I growled.
“Oh, nothing,” He smirked.
“You spied on me,” I accused.
“No, I didn’t. It is my job as your right hand to follow you and I did just that until I saw you with Smith’s daughter,” he chuckled. “I know I’m an asshole but fooling around with your enemy’s daughter who happens to be someone’s soon-to-be Mrs, is just top-tier.”
“Get out,” I growled.
He raised his hands in mock surrender, laughing, and he left.