Page 4 of The Brat: Prequel

Her eyes snag mine. “You’d have had no say.”

I had every say and access to forgers who’d helped ensure that her custody would never be questioned.

One forged statement from her mother, notarized, signed and, of course, date-stamped prior to her death, and that would never be an issue now that her legal guardianship was with Brennan O’Donnelly.

She doesn’t need to know that, though.

After years of slipping the man intel, I trust O’Donnelly with her. She’ll be safe here. That’s what matters to me.

Something else she doesn’t need to know? That my biggest regret is that her sister killed her father…

I hold out my arms. “You’re looking at the future Pakhan, Victoria. Who’d have no say? You’re safe now. With your sisters who love you.”

Toying with her pearls, she concentrates on the floor. “I’m not an idiot, Maxim.”

“I never thought you were.”

“Liar.” She scowls. “How do you go from being my driver to the head of the Russian Mob?”

I try not to feel stung by her condemnation. It’d be ridiculous for an almost thirty-year-old goddamn man to be hurt by a teenager’s opinion of him. “Your father wasn’t the best leader⁠—”

“No shit,” she scoffs, her scowl darkening. “But do you know how many of his men liked him? How many alliances he had? How many of the top ranks will be baying for your blood now? They’ll think you’re an upstart! You’re going to get yourself killed!”

Ah. I shouldn’t be surprised that she knows this about her father’s men. Not with how many times I’ve caught her snooping around his office.

“I won’t, kotik. I have nine lives. Just like you.”

Her jaw works. “His men appreciate the status quo.”

“No, you said it yourself. The top ranks do. But the top ranks are fewer than the men on the bottom rung of the ladder. There’s power in numbers, Victoria.”

“Revolution?” she sputters. “What are you doing? Bringing Leninism to the Bratva?”

“Eh. Hardly. I want to be on top.” I wink at her, hoping it’ll settle her nerves, but if anything, she yanks on her pearl necklace so hard that it’s a wonder she doesn’t break it. “You don’t need to worry about such things.”

“Of course I do,” she yells at me. “I don’t want you to die!”

That she cares has me reaching out and drawing her into a side hug. “I won’t die.”

Her bottom lip sticks out. “You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

“Did you only become my friend so you could look for an opportunity to overthrow him?”

“Of course not.” I squeeze her arm. “I got the job in his guard for that. Getting to meet you, to know you, has been an unexpected honor. Your friendship means a lot to me, Victoria.”

She peeps up at me from under thick, blonde lashes. “I won’t see you much from now on, will I?”

“Nyet. But I will always be around. Watching. Making sure you’re protected. You’ll never be in danger again, Victoria. I’ll make sure of it.” Her gulp is audible so I chivvy, “You believe me, don’t you, katyonok?”

Her expression breaks my heart. “I’m going to miss you.”

“No. You won’t.” When outrage lines her expression, I chuckle. “You won’t have time. You’re not on your own anymore, zaya. Before, it was you and Inessa against that madman sperm donor you were unfortunate to have.” The word ‘sperm’ earns me a giggle. “Now, you have Cammie back, don’t you? And she’s not afraid for her life or worrying that she’s going to be married off to that scumbag, Abramovicz. You have brothers-in-law now. The O’Donnellys care about family. You’ll be brought into the fold⁠—”

“I’m nobody. Just some dumb kid sister that’ll get in everyone’s way.”

“Hey,” I bark, making her jump. “Never say that about yourself. Ever. You’re not dumb. You’re one of the most intelligent people I’ve met. You’re not going to get in everyone’s way. You’re about to become family to more dangerous people you can snoop on. That sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”