The Mafia and His Obsession: Part 1 (Tainted Hearts 4)

I knew that. I fucking knew that. But that wasn’t all. There was more.

I stayed silent, waiting. And waiting. Finally, he shook his head.

“How do you think I built my empire, Konstantin? How do you think I am still this strong? If I had followed Alessio like a lost puppy—the Solonik wouldn’t have been this powerful. You are lucky, my son. Very lucky that I am giving you all that I have earned through years of work.”

The blood in my veins froze, and my heart stuttered. My heart twirled because I knew where this was going. I didn’t want to see it, believe it, but it was there, right in my face. I should have known.

“Buy and sell.”

His words broke through the fog around my head. I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. Calm down, Viktor. Calm. The. Fuck. Down.

“You mean human trafficking?” I elaborated slowly.

He nodded, his smirk still in place. “You can make millions in one night.”

“I thought we weren’t doing this. Alessio was against this,” I continued, trying to understand where this was coming from.

“We are doing this. They aren’t. Alessio didn’t know, and he doesn’t need to know. For a Boss, he’s pretty pathetic,” Valentin mocked.

Nodding, I breathed through my nose and played my part. “You are right. Their loss. Our gain.”

Valentin clasped me on the back again, a proud look on his face—like he was a proud father and I, his son. And when he spoke, the pride was there in his voice too. “I always knew you were the right man for this. To officially welcoming you and announce you as my heir, a grand party is being held in a week. All our closest associates will be there.”

I was silent, lost in my thoughts—lost in this sudden reveal. What the fuck was I supposed to do now? Play along? Fuck those innocent souls—just so I could convince Valentin? Buy them, use them—sell them?

The thought made me sick, and my stomach twisted. I clenched and then unclenched my fists again, desperate to hold on to the rest on my fucked-up sanity.

“I invited Alessio too.”

At Alessio’s name, I snapped out of my thoughts and gave Valentin a dirty look. “Why?”

He laughed. “Boy. Do you hate him that much?”

If only you knew…

“A few weeks ago, my man traced a call. Ayla called you,” he stated slowly.

My heart stuttered to a stop, and it felt like I stopped breathing air. I coughed and then hid it with a laugh and a shrug. “Just like I said—she fell for it. So fucking easy. No wonder Alessio fell for her. Her pussy must have been an easy access for him.” I paused and took a deep breath. “Or maybe it was loose. After all that time Alberto fucked that used pussy.”

“I underestimated you yet again.” He laughed and nodded in response. Valentin looked pleased with himself, like he had finally won the best thing in the whole world.

My full loyalty—what he always wanted.

“I have heard news…that Italian blyad is pregnant again. You didn’t say anything when you came back,” he muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

I swallowed hard, nervously. Fuck me. We were treading on a bad line.

“I had other more important things,” I replied slowly, watching his reaction.

He tsked at me, shaking his head in disappointment. “You don’t understand what this means, right? We were lucky it was a girl the first time.”

Gun shot…right through my heart.

“What if it’s a son this time? A boy—to take the Ivanshov name forward, to continue their legacy? We lose all our chances, Konstantin.”

I stayed silent, my tongue feeling heavy in my mouth. I couldn’t speak; no words could be made from me.

Valentin continued, pacing around the room like a caged animal. He told me of his plans.

“Convince Ayla to come to the party,” he announced, smirking wickedly. “This your war, after all…you can do the honors.”

My body was cold, my hands ice as I listened to his words. The baby, an innocent child—Alessio and Ayla’s baby wasn’t even born yet—but his death was already being planned.

I did the only thing I could.

I nodded.

I fucking nodded…to kill my brother’s baby.

My head swirled with too much. Valentin thought he underestimated me…but it was me who underestimated him.

For the first time, Alessio underestimated his opponent—by a long damn shot.

Valentin looked amused and winked. “You look nervous, son.”

Shaking my head, I cleared my thoughts and then chuckled low. It sounded vicious and cold to my own ears.

“No, old man. I am not nervous. I’m just thinking of different ways to spill blood.”

“You will find one very fitting. You always do. Make it painful for her—and him. Reserve the best for family, right?”

I stared at him, right through the eyes. “Right. You are so fucking right. Leave the best for last.”

He nodded. “Good. I am proud of you, son. I know you will not disgrace my name, our name.”