Crown of Hate (Soulless Empire)

Chapter 24

24

MIKHAIL

“Trouble follows wherever you go, friend.”

I slouch on the sofa across from Ilya, swirling a glass of tequila. “Not any more than it follows you, friend.”

He heaves a sigh and raises his glass. “Right. Cheers to us then, friends by choice, brothers by mutual enemies.”

“Being married to my sister has made you quite poetic, I see.”

We both bark out laughs and down our drinks in one fiery gulp.

I groan as the alcohol burns its way down my throat, leaving a trail of heat as it simmers in my stomach.

Akim made his first move using Ilya. There’s a war brewing between me and the Bratva in Russia, a war that cannot be avoided if I’m to protect what’s mine and reclaim my place as Pakhan.

I have a few hundred men who’re willing to lay down their lives for me, but it’s not enough. I need more. The more men in my corner, the easier it will be to bring down Boris and Akim.

But right now, the only person I can turn to is Ilya. The irony isn’t lost on me—my brother-in-law, once a friend, then an enemy, now my closest ally.

“Let me get this straight,” he says, setting his glass down with a soft clink. “You’re married to your enemy’s daughter.”

“They share blood, nothing more,” I counter, recalling Alya’s fierce declaration this morning. “She wants him dead.”

“He’s still her father. What if she decides not to follow through with it?” Ilya presses, rubbing his jaw. “Like you said, his blood runs through her veins.”

I shake my head, firm in my belief. Alya won’t back down. The fire in her eyes wasn’t just anger—it was something deeper, a burning need for revenge. She’s determined to protect those she loves. I know my wife’s mind… and her heart.

Sure, she might be soft-hearted, but she was still raised by the almighty Ivan Orlov himself. She has the steel spine of a Bratva queen. “She won’t.”

Ilya’s lips curve into a knowing smile. “You love her, don’t you?”

My heart skips. “That’s not?—.”

He bobs his head. “Didn’t expect that, did you? But the look on your face is priceless. It says it all.”

“I’m not—” My hand clenches around the glass as the words keep dying in my throat. I can’t even deny that I love her. What the fuck. All this time, I thought I just liked her.

At first, I found her daring and beautiful, then addictive and irresistible. But I never realized it was something else I felt… love.

I don’t know when or how it happened, but now I understand why I feel most at peace when I’m around her. Why her safety consumes my thoughts. And why I know I will let the world burn if it means protecting her. Because it’s love. The thought terrifies me as much as it thrills me.

Ilya’s laughter breaks through my epiphany. “I’ll set up a meeting tonight at Club Silo247. I’ll bring Kira. Bring your girl too.”

“Her name is Alya.”

“How do I look?” Alya asks, twirling in front of the full-length mirror in our walk-in closet.

I lean against the doorway, arms crossed, taking my time skimming her from head to toe. Her makeup is dark tonight, giving her an aura of danger that befits a Bratva queen. Her curly locks bounce as she moves, and the black dress she’s wearing… Christ, it makes me want to rip it off her and take her from behind while she watches in the mirror.

Alya has always been a symbol of beauty, but tonight she has this glow, this spark I can’t quite place. Beautiful doesn’t do her justice. Perfect—that’s the word. Drawn to her like a magnet, I close the distance between us. The scent of jasmine and vanilla wafts through my nostrils, and I’m gone. It’s like every nerve in my body is on fire, every thought wiped clean except for her. Fuck, she smells delicious.

She turns to me, eyes narrowing. “Well? How do I look?” she repeats.

“Jaw-dropping,” I reply. “I could stand here all night just watching you in that sexy dress.”

I curl my arm around her waist, grabbing her ass and squeezing.

She lets out a moan that goes straight to my groin. “You’re naughty.”

“And so fucking horny. Come here.” I lean in and trail hot kisses along her neck. My cock throbs painfully, and my fingers itch to throw her dress up and fuck her.

“No… Mikhail… You have a meeting with Ilya,” she rasps, snaking her arm around my neck. Then, her breath comes hot against my ear. “We need to leave now, or you’ll be late.”

“Fuck the meeting. You’re my priority.” I take her hand and press it against the bulge in my suit pants. I want her to feel how hard I am and how much I’m burning to have her right now.

She chuckles, playfully pushing me away. “We can do this later. You can’t keep Ilya waiting.”

“Fine,” I grunt, closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths. My cock starts to soften, but my pulse is still racing, and my body is still aching all over with need. But she’s right, I can’t be late for the meeting.

Looping her arm through mine, we walk to the car. Two bodyguards are at either side of the vehicle, holding the back doors open. But I wait until Alya settles into her seat before I close the door and round the car to my own.

As we drive, Alya rests her head against the window, her gaze lost in the passing streetlamps. As much as I crave her attention, I leave her be. She’s been through hell lately, and she needs time to process it all. I’ll be here when she’s ready to talk.

When the car comes to a stop at Club Silo247, I take in the scene. The club towers above me, its neon sign flickering against the night sky. The street outside is chaos—a sea of cars, couples making out in shadowy corners, the air thick with cigarette smoke and anticipation. It’s the perfect breeding ground for crime, but Ilya isn’t stupid. There are cameras everywhere, a silent warning to anyone thinking of causing trouble in the Chicago Bratva’s territory.

Alya tenses a little beside me as we step out of the car. I take her hand in mine, squeezing gently as we walk inside the club. The music hits us like a physical force, the flashing lights almost blinding. But Alya doesn’t flinch.

A smile breaks across her face when she spots Kira sitting at the front bar. “You didn’t tell me your sister would be here.”

“Well, I couldn’t bring you here and leave you all by yourself, malyshka .” I wink at her. Warmth blooms in my chest knowing that the two most important women in my life are getting along so well.

“Hey, kiddo,” I call to Kira.

My sister turns and her eyes widen with delight as they land on Alya. “My God, Alya.” She jumps up, pulling Alya into a tight hug. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too, Kira,” Alya replies, returning the embrace with equal enthusiasm.

I watch them beam at each other like they’re two long-lost friends rekindling their bond after decades apart. They completely ignore my existence, but I don’t mind one bit—their joy is infectious.

When they finally break apart, Kira finally acknowledges me. “Hi, Wally. Thanks for bringing Alya. I would have died from boredom drinking alone.”

I smile at my little sister. “Anything for you, kiddo. How are you?”

She sighs dramatically. “Never been better. I missed the two of you.”

“I missed you too,” Alya says. “I’m sorry I haven’t visited. There’s been so much going on, and I haven’t?—”

Kira squeezes her shoulder reassuringly. “I get it. Ilya didn’t go into details, but I got the gist. Are you okay?”

Alya shrugs, her smile faltering. “I can’t say I am, but there’s nothing I can do.”

Kira purses her lips. “That asshole Akim.” Her eyes go wide as she catches herself. “Shit, I didn’t mean—I know who he is to you. Sorry.”

Alya chuckles and waves off her apology. “It’s fine. It’s not like I care or anything.”

“I have a meeting to attend, ladies,” I interrupt, reluctant to leave but knowing I must. “You two have fun. Stay safe.”

I press a kiss to Alya’s forehead, inhaling her scent one last time before heading to the VIP room where Ilya and the others are waiting for me. Time to get down to business and ensure a future where Alya never has to pretend not to care again.