Bought by the Russian Mobster by Bella Rose Read Free Book Online

turned the shot glass so that the beveled edge caught the light. “That is a serious decision.”
    “I wish to make you my heir.”
    “And if I do not want this honor?” Nicolai could tell by his father’s smile that he had expected this.
    Pyotr reached over and patted Nicolai’s hand. “Those who do not want the mantle of leadership are the ones who most often deserve it.”
    Nicolai didn’t respond to this nugget of wisdom. He stood up instead. “It is late. I will let you go upstairs to bed. Tomorrow we can discuss this more.”
    “That will not change my mind.” Pyotr gained his feet, wobbling a little. “I am old. I am tired. I need to know that there is a good man to take over after I am gone.”
    Nicolai hugged his father, lingering a moment to inhale the familiar scents of spicy smoke from a samovar mingled with a twinge of vodka. “Good night, Papa.”
    “Good night.”
    Nicolai watched his father disappear down the hallway and then turned to head for the kitchen. He needed advice and there was only one man who might be able to offer it. The room was warm with the scents of roasting meat, wine, and beer. Nicolai sat at the counter.
    Anatoly looked up from the roasted lamb he was slicing. “So you spoke with your father, yes?”
    “Yes.”
    “Now you want to know what I think.”
    It wasn’t a question. Anatoly knew damn well what Nicolai’s concerns were. Nicolai reached over and snagged a bit of lamb. The succulent taste exploded on his tongue, reminding him of sitting in this very kitchen as a child and sneaking a taste.
    Anatoly sighed. “Your brother is insane, Nicolai. We all know this. We have known for years.”
    “It’s gotten worse,” Nicolai agreed. “I’m starting to be afraid that he’s going to hurt somebody.”
    “He has always been volatile.” Anatoly put a piece of meat in his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. “He doesn’t like being told no .”
    “Ha!” Nicolai scoffed. “To Vladimir, saying no or disagreeing with him is on par with calling him a liar, or telling him he is an idiot. He takes it so personally. And God help anyone who takes an opposite viewpoint on any large issue.”
    “Like the question of who will be named your father’s heir, yes?” Anatoly turned around and reached into the refrigerator. He glanced over his shoulder at Nicolai. “Do you want a beer?”
    “Please.” Nicolai took the cold bottle and the opener that Anatoly handed him. He considered his brother’s recent descent in what seemed to be genuine madness. “What do you think?”
    Anatoly snorted. “You do not want to know what I think.”
    “I do or I wouldn’t have asked. I value your opinion.” Nicolai took a deep breath and a swig of his beer to brace himself for what was coming.
    “I think we are coming to a point where your brother needs to be put down before he commits cold-blooded murder.” Anatoly’s tone was grim.
    “Who?” Nicolai hated to ask. “Who do you think he’ll kill?”
    “You,” Anatoly said immediately. “Although there are moments when he seems as though he might go after your father.”
    “No.” Nicolai pushed that thought out of his head. “Vladimir wants my father’s approval. He wouldn’t risk it. Would he?”
    Anatoly shrugged and took a long drink of his beer. “I think we’re all in danger until that rabid beast is put down.”
    There was a shout from upstairs. Both Anatoly and Nicolai set their beers aside and left the kitchen at a dead run. Something was very wrong.

Chapter Seven
    Nicolai knelt on the floor beside his father’s body and tried to understand what would have possessed someone to murder the old man. Anatoly had only just warned him this could happen. Why hadn’t Nicolai taken precautions? He could have posted a guard or something. Enforcers milled about inside the room. There were hushed whispers and conversations in Russian, but for the most part Nicolai was left alone to puzzle things out. A few feet away, Anatoly