G, RUSSIA(THE B

khan's

Barino stood before the Pakhan's des

"Are you ready for the alliance

anything for this alliance. After much thought, we'r

, Valerie, is 23 years old, fini

d displeasure. "What ab

, almost 20. She's still young,

didn't waver. "A

ious. "She's 18. Too

nd daughter. She seems quite fiery, doesn't she? I see a spark in her eyes that sug

Donatella...yes, th

e 20 soon. Eight years' difference isn

ightly, a look of re

o the contract. "Go

t's terms w

protection and resources

_______would produce

uld provide financial and mi

d reside in the B

d have limited involvement in

ould last for at

n Ivan. "If you're ready t

moment before writing "Don

tract, followed b

owed satisfaction. "

RTMENT(THE BR

t her, his eyes filled with love. He caressed her face,

" Adrian said, his de

pulling herself closer. Her face rested on his ches

hed, relief evid

lia whispered, her voice

e smack, followed b

as exhausting," Natalia

expression turning serious.

she asked, her

mix of pain and confusion. "I'm scared," he

. She sat up, her back to Adrian. "We'

n. "What if Mikhail finds out about us? What if your grandfather finds out? Our relation

We're not going over this again. Our relationshi

lia. I love you so much. I care about you, and I want us to be together fore

her arms around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. When she finally broke away, she w

hed hers. "You're n

hisper. "Of course, I am. But I cherish yo

r kiss. As they fell onto the bed, Adrian eventually pulled aw

g on his trousers and shirt. "You look hot,"

e corners. "Anyways, I enjoyed last nig

ing. "Bye, I love you," Adrian sa

lia replied, her voice

***

. He tried to change direction, but Igor's voice stopped h

ned to him, nonchalan

ense stare. "You think I don't know about you and

ck off. You're just jealous that I'm the

now I could just tell Nikolai or Mikha

glinting with amusement.

on't worry, I'll catch you

and walked away, leavi

SIA(MIKHAIL

at at the bar area,

America?" Mikhail aske

clubs, and they were wild. America is more vibrant than Russia. I feel like going ba

fixed on Alexei. "Can you believe

and he burst out laug

he sipped his drink. "You don't

"Yeah, but I me

ed any woman by my side - they're nothi

upting him. He picked

the other end. "Come to the empire, right

ed to the Pakhan's words. He ended the call and turn

"Alright, we'

, and left the penthouse. He got into his McLaren, a s

RE(THE PAKH

an, dressed in his suit, turned to face him.

hand, signaling Mikhail to

two glasses, and handed one to the Pakhan. The Pakhan took a

" the Pakhan said, his voice firm, brooking no argume

As he read, his face began to burn with a slow-building rage. His eyes

it down on the table, the sound echoing

il's voice was low, menacing, and c

pression unyielding, his eyes glin

ime we had this discussion, I told you I wouldn't take it lightly. Be

gei Morozov, I'm the Pakhan of the Bratva Empire. You work under me, regardless of being my grandson. You'll be t

isted in a snarl. "You're not dying n

out. "No, I want you as my successor! You

'm not getting married, and I don't

punching the wall with a ferocity that made the sound of his fist hitting t

impering sound. He turned to see the Pak

you're crying!" Mikhail's voice w

wasn't supposed to tell you this... but I have pancreatic cancer. I

ndfather, his mind reeling from the news, his heart heavy with shoc

ing grandfather. Please get married, have children, give me great-grandchildren. Nikolai has been ma

h emotion. "Alexei is still young, Natalia is young too. You have what it takes to be a leader, to lea

haking with rage. He opened his eyes, and his gaze locked onto the

ll do

at Mikhail, unsure if he had heard correctly. "W

ned cold, his voice firm.

g to hug Mikhail tightly. But his body betrayed him, and he

an's arm and led him to a seat. He offered him a glass of water

the implications of his decision. He had agreed to get married, but he had no intenti

Y(THE DE LUC

Anastasia, and their three daughters, Valerie, Donatella, and Ariana, walked into their home, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the ha

firm and commanding, yet

eir faces. "I have something to discuss with all of you," Ivan said, h

s filled with anticipation and worry. Ivan sat at the head of the r

the sound echoing through the room like a death knell. "Go through i

es growing paler with each passing moment. They were shocked

, and she threw the book away, her face twisted in anger and pain. "Papa, what do you mean?" she demanded, her voice

ce, their faces filled with sorrow and concern. Anastasia spoke up, her voice calm

going on," she said, her voice firm and determined, yet shaking with emotion. "What hap

u think I don't know? Do you think I'm happy with this?" The room fell silent, wi

o Roja's attacked us, Giovanni died... we need an alliance with the Pakhan. He requested marriage in return... I wanted Valerie, but the Pakhan said he wanted y

g down her face, her body shaking with sobs. "I'm not accepting this," she said,

, Donatella," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "The La Famiglia De Luca is looking up to

face, her body wracked with sobs. She turned and walked upstairs, leaving her family in stu