Page 61 of The Enemy of My Enemy: Pt. 2
“She’s not killingslewsof them,” I argued, though it was a weak argument.
“Your brother has a point,” my father said, shooting Kasimir a reprimanding look that never worked.“She has to show that she’s a Korolev as well as a Marchetti, and putting her in charge of something financially important is a good start.”
“Well, that goes both ways,” I stated, preparing them for what I was about to say next.
“Meaning?”my father asked.
“In exchange for Darya Orlova’s help in luring Decio to the barn, Aurora promised her that no harm would ever come to her daughter at the hands of a Korolev,” I informed them.“So, if we want her to start behaving like a Korolev, then we have to honor her word like she’s one.”
“What else did she promise?”Kasimir huffed.“A car?A new house?”
“Stop being an asshole,” I bit out.“It was a fair exchange.”
“For a woman whose family betrayed us?”Kasimir squawked.“Are you serious?”
I shot him a look as I said, “You’re the one who said that they didn’t know anything.”
“That’s irrelevant, and you know it,” he shot back.“Hell, they’re lucky to still be living in our territory.”
“But they are,” I pointed out.“And as long as they choose to continue to live here, then we leave them alone, and I’m not asking, Kasimir.”
Before my brother could make a run at me, my father said, “If it’s that big of an issue for you, then strongly suggest that they move elsewhere, Kasimir.While we cannot force the issue, we can make things unpleasant enough to encourage them to leave.”
“My wife gave her word that nothing would happen to them,” I reminded them both.
“And nothing will happen to them,” my father replied evenly.“They will remain safe, if a bit uncomfortable.”
“Uncomfortable for who?”I snapped.“Because if you think that Aurora won’t make me pay for this little stunt, you’re wrong.”
“Armen Orlova tried to kill her,” Kasimir reiterated.“How has she forgotten that very important and crucial fact?”
“The answer is no,” I said, overstepping big time.“The Orlovas will be left alone.”
“So, that’s the way of it, is it?”my father asked, leaning back in his chair, his blue eyes regarding me carefully.
“My wife gave her word,” I bit out, pissed that I was having to fight for such a basic sense of fact.“She gave her wordas a Korolev.If we do not honor that, then what’s stopping Roman Marchetti from questioning just how honorable your word is and pulling out of this deal?That war that we wanted to avoid will be knocking on our front door, and all because Kasimir is holding a grudge?Are you serious?”
“You don’t know what Roman Marchetti will or won’t do,” my father argued.
“Maybe not,” I conceded.“But I do know what my wife will or won’t do, and what she won’t do is allowanyoneto put her honor and reputation at stake.So, if we don’t back her on this, not only will she leave me, but she’ll do it as she broadcasts it to our enemies that our word means shit.Never mind that Roman is looking foranyreason to dissolve my marriage.After all, his daughter has already been shot and stabbed under our watch.”
Because my motives in life were now officially compromised-and my father knew it-he turned to Kasimir, then asked, “So, what do you think?”
“I think that Viktor is in love with his wife and that we’re in trouble,” he answered, chuckling.“However, he’s also not wrong, so I’m not sure how I’m feeling right now.I also think that my sister-in-law is not above slitting our throats on her way out the door, either.”
After a few seconds, my father said, “Very well, we will honor Aurora’s word as a Korolev, though under one condition.”
“Which is?”I asked coolly.
“She begins using her married name,” he stated.“If we are expected to honor her word as a Korolev, then I expect her tobeone.”
Taking the win, I said, “I’ll inform her when I get home.”
“You can also inform her that I want a meeting with her tomorrow morning to discuss finalizing her role in this family,” he said, reminding me of who was actually in charge here.
“Of course.”
“Now, is there anything else?”he asked, looking between me and my brother.
