Ivan’s POV:
I’ve never lied to anyone before. Not because I was righteous or anything, but because there’s never been a reason to. I wasn’t afraid of anyone and I did whatever I wanted, no one dared to question me.
Yet, I lied to her.
I… I was worried about how she’d react. I almost felt guilty. What was it about her that made everything confusing? My sole aim from the start was to make Tom Smith pay for his crimes against me and I wasn’t one to step back when I set my mind on something.
With or without her, my revenge plan was nonnegotiable. So it needed to happen. Tom Smith had to go, I don’t forgive disloyalty and betrayal. I had lost my cousin, it’s a lie for a lie in our world. I had to set up my cousin’s wife and children for life and break the sad news of his passing all because of one man’s greed.
“You’re thinking a little too hard there, man,” Sidorov smirked and I knew he had more shit to say.
I glared at him, hoping he’d keep his mouth shut. I was in no mood for his silly jokes.
Of course, it doesn’t stop him. “You can just tell her you want to fuck her, though.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I growled.
“Sorry, man,” He apologized but I knew it was bullshit with the way he was grinning widely.
“You’re obsessed with her, but living in denial,” Sasha jumped in. They are lucky we are a family, there is no telling what I would do to shut them up.
“Seriously, why am I here? When I could be back home with my husband,” Sasha grumbled as she plopped down on the couch.
We were at the new house I bought here in London. Since I now have a reason to be in London for a few days a month, I decided it was best to buy a house.
“You are with your husband all year round, two weeks off wouldn’t kill you,” I said calmly.
She sighs dramatically. “How would you know? You’ve never had a relationship, you wouldn’t know what it’s like to be away from your partner,” She countered. “You are married to work and the mafia, so don’t act like you know shit.”
Sidorov whistled and I narrowed my eyes at him. The fool was probably enjoying the way Sasha was attacking me.
“But I needed you to be present for the board meeting. You know more about management than I do.”
And help with something else.
Sasha rolled her eyes. “You handled it perfectly, big brother. You didn’t need my help.” She studied me a bit. “Or… is there something else going on?”
Of course, she knows me too well. “I want you to help Sophia.”
They both looked at me like I’d grown two heads, with their jaws hanging open.
I ignored them. “From what I’ve gathered, she doesn’t have any experience for this CEO position despite majoring in Business Admin and minoring in Economics. She has to impress the board to stay in her position. That’s where you come in, Sasha. You’re talented and have been one of my CEOs for years, I just need you to guide her for the two weeks you’ll be staying here.”
I know… it is absurd and funny. I hated her father, killed him, and took his business leaving her with nothing even though I knew she wanted to take over. So why did I care now if she kept her position or not? Why did I want her to improve? I don’t know the answer to that yet, or maybe I didn’t want to think about it.
“Smitten,” Sidorov muttered, chewing on the chips he’d ordered.
Sasha raised her hands, “Called it,” She squealed.
Morons, I ignored them. “So? What do you think?” I asked.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “What? So we’re all just going to act like this is a completely normal behavior from you?” She asked.
I let a groan slip free. “Chto mne s toboy delat’, sestra?[What do I do with you, sister?].
“Priznaysya, ty menya lyubish’ [Admit it, you love me.]” She smiled, batting her eyelashes.
“Eto ne shutka [This isn’t a joke].”
“Fine, Ivan. I can help, I’ll guide your… what should I call her?” She mocked.
I glared at her and she burst out laughing. I turned to Sidorov.
I needed him to do something also, and what I wanted was stupid and maybe excessive, but fuck it. “Sidorov, you also have to do something for me.”
“Whatever his grace needs, shall not” he mimics in a horrible British accent and I frowned at how awful he
“Sid, what the fuck was that?” Sasha groaned.
“Hey!” He pretends to be offended. “Don’t mock my accent, if we are going to be here for some time, we have to use their accent.” He pretends to think, “What’s that proverb again? Ah Ha! When in Rome behave like the Romans,” He grinned widely, pleased with his silly jokes.
I glared at him. “Are you done?”
He gave me a sheepish look. “Sorry.”
“I need you to get the men with came with, you’ll need their help for this one,” I said firmly. “I need you to install cameras around her apartment and her father’s mansion. Make sure they stay hidden and she never suspects, I need cameras installed, everywhere. Have some men follow her every day and report back to me.”
Sidorov snorts. “Whoaaaa I’d hate to be her.”
“That’s wrong,” Sasha scolded. “Why’d you do that?”
I know, it was. But I had my reasons.
“It is necessary,” I said simply.
“Necessary?” She scoffs. ” I don’t understand you anymore.”
“Drop it,” I growled.
“Fine, but if you want a chance with her, I don’t think she’d appreciate you invading her privacy,” She muttered.
I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. Siblings can be a pain in the ass sometimes. Scratch that, they are a pain in the ass all the time.
“Sasha, I’m not interested in a relationship or whatever is going on in your head.”
“Men,” She muttered under her breath and I pretended to hear her.
“Sidorov, get to work right away.” He was up and moving before I completed my statement.
“Sasha, thank you for agreeing to help.”
She shrugged. “Well, I don’t think I had a choice anyway, you’d probably sulk if I’d said no.”
“I don’t sulk,” I grit out.
“Sure you don’t,” She snickered.
I left the living room to my bedroom. It was useless arguing with Sasha, she always had something to say.