Sacha opens the car door for me and I slide into the back seat. He gets to the driver’s seat and instead of Dmitri getting in next to him like he’s supposed to, he sits next to me.
Sacha starts up the car and we pull out of the parking lot, easing on to the road.
“Careful, princess. Your head might explode if you think too hard,” Dmitri taunts.
I only spare him a glance, taking in the calculative look in his eyes, then keep my focus out the window. Soon I get lost in the passing trees the way I do when I drive my own car.
I’m not allowed to drive further than the city center which is twenty minutes from where I live. Work is considered too far, and I’m definitely not allowed to drive to the location of these scheduled calls with my father. They take place at the home of Nikoli Solteck, the former brigadier of my father’s brotherhood. The Circle of Shadows are considered Bratva, but they aren’t exactly part of it in terms of the traditional hierarchy and set up. Those of the Bratva my father associates with are few and far between.
We pull up at the house forty minutes later. Nikoli greets me in his usual way, which is cold. Cold like fish, just like my father.
I’m taken to the conference room, but instead of being left alone to speak to my father like I usually am, Dmitri walks in ahead of me.
“Special remember?” he smiles.
My lips part like I have something to say but I’m at a loss for words. Anything that might have come to mind fades when the image of my father’s stern face appears on the large tv screen at the table at the head of the room. His sea green eyes are the only thing I got from him. My platinum blonde hair and petite frame are from my mother.
Dad’s graying head looks grayer than just last month. He also has a haggard appearance I’m not used to. It doesn’t however do anything to dim the flame of power alight in his eyes.
“Dmitri,” Dad addresses him first.
Dmitri nods his respect and takes a seat.
“Isabella,” he says turning his attention to me.
“Hello Dad,” I answer and bow my head in the same respectful manner as Dmitri did. It’s not respect I feel. But what I know I must do.
“Sit,” Dad beckons, and like he’s actually in the room, he motions to the chair before the monitor for me to sit.
I do, bringing my hands together to keep my nerves at bay. As far as I was concerned this was supposed to be the usual monthly meeting. The type a caring father would have to catch up with his only daughter. It’s never like that with him, though. These meetings are to keep me in check. I don’t know what would make this meeting special, however.
“How have you been?” he asks me.
“I’m okay.”
“Good.”
“Is something happening?” I chance the question.
My father chuckles cruel and low, then gazes back at me with a pensive stare.
“My dear Isabella, something is always happening. But I suppose a big something is happening that has reached its peak.” He glances at Dmitri then looks back to me. “Something that requires the need to meet with you both.”
I hold my breath. I can’t even guess what is happening. Dmitri, however, seems to know exactly what’s going on. I glance at him out the corner of my eyes and note his calm demeanor. It’s too calm in the presence of my father. Even for a favored man like him.
Dad looks from me to Dmitri, the suspense killing me slowly as the seconds tick by.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve felt the need to retire and pass the torch to a successor,” Dad states and as the words fall from his lips my heart freezes.
All I hear is retire and successor. The words sink into my brain and as I process them, I know exactly why this meeting has been deemed special.
He’s retiring and who do I think is going to take over from him?
It’s not me. Me, the heiress to his empire. No, no. Sure if he’d had a son then of course. But there will never be a woman leading the Circle of Shadows.
I grip the edge of my seat waiting for the other shoe to drop, because what’s about to happen is something I’ve always feared.
“I have chosen Dmitri to take the lead and one of the stipulations I have imposed on him is to marry you. Your union will carry on the legacy of my blood and my life’s work in creating the Circle of Shadows.”