“You know your wife was so fucking bored tonight, don’t you?”

“Leave Aurora to me,” I said.

Ivan chuckled. “I think I made a mistake in allowing you to marry her. You clearly don’t see the wild woman waiting to be unleashed.”

This did make me snort. The soldiers were a close enough distance away that I didn’t have to play any other role. I could be myself. “Are you sure you’re looking at the same woman?”

“Are you sure you’re even looking at the right woman?”

This made me pause. “I know my wife. She’s submissive. That’s what they trained her for.”

Ivan clicked his tongue. “There you go again. I have to wonder if I should demote you and keep that wife of yours. Look into her eyes, my friend. You will see.”

He climbed into his car, bringing our conversation to a close.

We’d been friends for a lifetime already. Together, we’d grown up on the streets. I’d saved him from being killed more times than I could count.

We had a plan. A goal that would make this city ours. When we were kids, the Bratva were … hot tempered, and in truth, their vision wasn’t big enough. They worked small. Petty criminals. They didn’t see the big picture.

Ivan Volkov had. He was the big picture, and now, he ran half of the country, which he divided into six areas. I controlled area one. The biggest with the main cities all bowing down to my rule. Ivan only ever dealt with his brigadiers, his main men.

I was aware of the men he sent out to all areas. The spies he used to control everyone. It was how he learned of betrayals, of the greed, and of course, the rats. Everyone was in his pocket.

Even though he was considered the fiercest and most evil person around, he was also fair. If you didn’t cross him, you lived. If you showed loyalty to him, then he took care of you.

The moment you turned your back on him, betrayed, or stole from him, well, your days were numbered.

Watching the car leave the parking lot, I stood there as the cleaning crew came. They nodded at me. I was on first-name terms with most people in Ivan’s control. I made it my business to know everyone.

I’d always been a firm believer that knowledge was power, and when it came to keeping Ivan in control, I was willing to do whatever it took to keep him there, even marry a woman I didn’t trust.

It was late when I arrived home. The guard I’d assigned to Aurora’s care stood at the door, waiting for my signal to leave. I gave it to him. There were always guards around. Soldiers. Men designed to help us gain power and to forever grow stronger. They rose up the ranks, claiming to be the best everyone had to offer.

After taking a quick shot of the finest whiskey, I headed to the bedroom. Aurora was still awake, but the moment I entered the bedroom, she closed the book she’d been reading.