Page 34 of Lord of Passion

"Since you're officially no fucking help at all," I say, "you may as well get some sleep."

"Do you have a plan?" Alexsey asks. "One that will actually work without putting us into a war with the Moscow Six? You know how petty they are."

"This is ridiculous." I pinch the brow of my nose. "But yes, I have a solution that will please no one. So, that's good."

"I'm going to avoid asking for specifics so I have plausible deniability when Liria demands details when I call her later today," he says, instantly gloomy. "I will, however, back you up."

"Thank you, cousin. I know you will," I say. "Because we always look out for each other, no matter how genuinely stupid the plan is."

Alexsey goes to bed and I sit in my chair, watching the empty street, looking for suspicious passers-by or cars that could be from Agapov. It's quiet, and I sit there long enough to watch the sunrise. The long rays slide between the tall buildings, illuminating the windows and sending out bursts of fiery light into the street.

After a while I sigh, get up, and shower.

Shave.

Dress in a dark gray suit and a green tie, run my hands through my hair one last time, eyeing myself in the mirror. I'm theSovietnikof the Morozov Bratva. I bear authority and responsibility because of it.

Alexsey's right, though. Iampissed at Caroline. Not because she beat me at poker, but because that frenzied coupling in the elevator was possibly the most intense sex I've ever had. I've pictured her beautiful face, her moans and the tight, silky grip of her pussy a hundred times since the night before.

She's going to think I engineered this because we fucked. As if I have ownership over her now. The thought though, of another man ever touching her again makes me murderous. So yes. Carolineismine, now. No matter how enraged she's going to be at me.

I send out a few quick texts, the first to Dmitri in case he hears the "happy news" from one of the gossips here.

My phone lights up in the middle of the next text.

"Hello, son. You've been busy."

My eyes close. Of course, Father heard first. Of course.

"Hello,Otets,"I say. "It's been an interesting twelve hours. I was just texting you. I should have known the gossip would move at the speed of light."

"I just received a phone call from theSovietnikof the Sokolov Bratva, congratulating me on my son's marriage. Is there anything you'd like to tell me?" I can picture him, strolling around his office, dress shirt sleeves rolled up, a grin on his face. He loves nothing more than when things go sideways.

I give him a brief rundown; he growls when I mention Agapov. "Is there anything that stupid bastard has not managed to fuck up?" he asks. "Why have the Moscow Six not murdered him by now? Why haven't we?"

"Because he's managed to make himself just useful enough to avoid a bullet," I say. "I have made the necessary arrangements, I just need to wake up Caroline."

"Caroline?" he asks. "Your bride is Caroline, Liria's cousin? The card shark?"

My head tilts back. There's already a headache brewing around my temples. "Yes, Sir."

There's silence. And then, my kind, supportive father bursts into laughter. "I'm hanging up. I've got to tell your mother." He's still laughing. "She's going to love this. Good luck,moy syn."

"Thank you for yoursupport, Father." He hangs up, still laughing.

Then, there's a quiet knock and my head drops, exhausted. I open it to find a beaming concierge holding an enormous flower arrangement, with two bellmen behind her holding gift boxes.

"Dobroye utro,good morning, Mr. Morozov," she says happily, holding up the floral arrangement like a sacred chalice. "Thesegifts were just delivered for you and…" She looks a little confused as she glances at my bare left hand. "And for Mrs. Morozova?"

"Thank you," I say, rubbing my eyes. "Just put them in the living room, please."

Eyeing the first gift box like it might contain a venomous snake, I open it to find a beautiful wooden box with three bottles of Russo-Baltique Vodka. I open the note, it's from Volkov:

Pozdravlyayu, Nikandr and Caroline! We are so pleased to hear of your happy news, though I am not certain that Ivan Bukharov will feel the same. He was still angling for a union with you and his daughter Tatiana, yes?

Polina and I were most charmed by your Caroline. We wish you many happy years together.

Victor