Chapter 8

**Vadim
**

I entered the basement and eyed Saveli. Arianna was currently laying punch after punch. I raised my brow to my enforcer and smirked. He glared and shook his head. He knew I was right. Arianna was ready for this. He just didn’t want to admit it. I knew Saveli better than I know myself. And I knew one thing for sure. He feels something for the girl. She looks sweet on the outside, but don’t let that fool you. She’ll cut your throat and leave you to bleed out in a ditch.

“Arianna, stop for a moment. I want to talk to her.” I commanded.

Arianna backed away and bowed her head as I stepped closer to the woman. “You broke your word. You and that bastard husband of yours.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

“You promised she would be safe with you. I’m very disappointed Cora.”

“Where is she?”

“With me, where she’s safe. Now, tell me, where can I find that husband of yours?”

I nodded at Arianna when she didn’t answer. Arianna pulled out a knife and stood behind her as she pressed the blade to her neck. Arianna leaned down and hissed, “Tell him!”

I-I… please, I do not know.” She whispered.

“Better yet, tell me where I can find the one who bought her from you.”

“It was… Yuri, the one who set up the auction. He owns everything. Brothels. Underground auctions. Everything.”

I glanced at Saveli and narrowed my eyes. “Keep her alive… for now. She may become of some use after all.”

“And Arianna, good work. You’ll make a good addition to the family.”

“No!” Saveli hissed.

“Stop treating me like a child, Saveli!” she growled. “I’m not a little girl anymore.”

“Saveli, do I need to reassign Arianna to someone else?”

“No. Boss.” Saveli hissed through gritted teeth.

“Good. I’ll have my brother on standby just in case.”

Cora sobbed quietly and whispered, “Just kill me.”

“No. I want to have the satisfaction of knowing you suffered for your crimes. In fact, I want you to watch me torture your husband and kill him right before your eyes.”

“No! Please, spare me. It was all him… it was his idea.”

“Keep torturing her, Arianna.”

“You’re not going to stay for the show?” Arianna asked.

“No. I have to go out. My mother is expecting me for dinner tonight.”

I returned to my bedroom and smiled when I saw Jules in the dress Alexei laid out. She looked beautiful in it. A soft, red dress that came down to her knees. Alexei straightened up when he saw me, but I shook my head. “Relax, Alexei.”

Jules turned around and hugged herself. I took a few long strides and cupped her face, kissing her gently. “You look beautiful, Malyshka.”

“Why did you make me get dressed up if it’s just dinner?”

“Because it’s not any ordinary dinner. I’m taking you to my mother’s house.”

“And Alexei?”

“He will accompany me as well.”

“What if she doesn’t like me?” I could see the wheels turning like it always does.

“She will adore you, Malyshka.”

I placed another kiss to her lips and glanced over at Alexei. I could see that he was feeling left out, so I held my hand out to him. “Come, Alexei.”

Alexei stood and walked towards me. I wrapped my arm around his waist and crushed my lips against his and murmured. “Shall we go?”

“Yes, boss.”

The ride to my mother’s house only took about an hour. Alexei parked the car and hurried to open the door for me. I exited the car and was met with my brother. He curved his lips when I wrapped my arm around her waist protectively.

“Mother is waiting for you in the kitchen.”

I led Jules into the house and was met with my mother’s bright green eyes. She rushed to Jules and hugged her. I could tell Jules was nervous, but played it off very well. Jules hugged her back as my mother whispered in her ear.

“Mother,” I muttered. “That is enough.”

“Hush, Vadim. Let me look at you, sweetheart.” My mother pulled away and studied Jules’ face. “You are quite the little gem. I can see why my son has taken a liking to you.”

I groaned when my father and brother enter the kitchen. My father’s eyes light up when my brother whispered something to him. He’s scheming against me. I know it.

“And who is this?” My father’s deep voice asked.

“Jules, this is my father… Boris Kaslov and this is my mother… Angelina Kaslov. It’s their 50th anniversary today.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Jules whispered.

“Vadim,” my father cleared his throat, “I need a word with you.”

“Come on, come with me, Malyshka.”

“She can stay with your mother. I need to speak to you alone.”

I kissed the side of Jules head and whispered. “I’ll be right back.”

I nodded at Alexei, telling him to stay with her.

I followed my father into his office and waited for it. He sighed and ran a hand over his face. “Is it true?”

“What’s true?” I asked.

“That the beauty you have brought is Luciano’s little sister.”

I glared at my brother and nodded.

“I thought you put her with a family you could trust.”

“Apparently not,” I scoffed, “I’m dealing with it the best I can.”

“Tell him where you found her.” My brother added.

“You just don’t know when…”

“So, where did you find her?”

“An auction,” I mumbled.

“Come again, son. It sounded like you said she was at an auction.”

“Because I did. I had to swoop in again and play the hero to keep her safe.”

My father curled his lips.
My brother scoffed.
And me?
I knew I didn’t play the hero.
I was the villain.

“But you didn’t really save her, no?”

“I… did. I. Saved. Her.”

“No. You. Didn’t.” Adrian growled. “You took her for yourself.”

I took a few long strides and sized my brother up. I clenched my fists and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. “You weren’t there, Adrian. You didn’t see how many predators were there. If I hadn’t bought her, she would be dead. Once they found out whom she was, they would kill her and deliver her body to me.”

“Vadim!” My father growled. “You need to keep your voice down.”

I punched Adrian in the jaw and shoved him, causing him to stumble back. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I opened my eyes, my father put his hands on my shoulders. “I have to ask.”

“What?” I asked, but I already knew what he was going to say.

“Do you care for her?”

“Of course, I care. She’s Luciano’s sister.”

“Here’s another question and don’t lie to me, son. Have you… have you touched her?”

Adrian snorted. “Of course, he has.”

“Silence Adrian!” My father growled. “Leave us.”


“But…” Adrian whined.

I threw him a smirk and nodded to the door. “Go on, I’m sure the women have a job for you to do.”

Adrian rolled his eyes and shot back. “Oh yeah, maybe Jules needs some help.”

“Leave now, before I throw you out. Your mother wants us to have a nice celebration today. And that’s exactly what she’s going to get. That means no fighting. No arguing. And under any circumstances, do not mention Luciano at the table. This girl has no idea he was her brother. To her, he was just a friend that protected her.”

“Fine,” Adrian mumbled under his breath as he stormed out of the room.

“I need you to listen to me, son.” My father starts.

I knew where this was going.

“There’s only one way to keep her protected.” He said.

“I know,” I breathed out.

“You have to make her your wife.”

How would Alexei respond to this?

“You don’t have to do it today, but soon, you need to make the preparations to wed Luciano’s sister. After all, that was his last wish, yes?”

“He said to protect her,” I growled. “Not get married to her.”

“If you don’t, I’ll find someone who will. What about Alexei? He would make a good husband.”

“Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”

My father widened his eyes and covered his mouth. “Oh. My. God. You’ve been with them both.”

“And?” I raised a brow.

“Son, I’m not judging you. I think you would be the better husband.”

“No. If they know she is to be my wife, it would be a target on her. Alexei is my best man and perfect for the job. Just in case this war goes south, Jules will be protected by Alexei and you will have a new King. You know, in case I don’t make it.”

“Don’t say that, son. You’ll take care of the problem and come out on top. All Kaslov Kings come out on top. It’s in our blood.”

The truth was, I wanted Jules and Alexei both by my side at all times. But I guess my father had other plans. The hard part would be getting Alexei to agree to it. I entered the kitchen and leaned in to whisper in Alexei’s ear. “We need to talk.”

Alexei froze.

“Relax, it’s fine. I just need you to do something for me.”

His body relaxed, but I knew better.
On the inside, he was freaking out.