Anton: The Odessa Organization Book 1 Page 3

  Handing her the letter, I try to remain strong. “My father has grown very ill, very quickly. I’d like to spend the weekend with him before–“ I stop to gather myself. “Before he passes. The doctors don’t think it will be long before he’s gone.”

  Pulling me in for a hug, Olena has always been a wonderful grandmotherly figure while I’ve been here. “Of course, dorohyy. You’ll leave on Friday?” I nod. “Back Sunday evening?” I respond in kind. “I’ll arrange for it to work. I presume you’ll want a few days when he passes as well?” I nod my head, too choked up to speak. “You’ll have them.” She hugs me again.

  “I would prefer it if Mr. Renznikov does not know. Not yet. When father passes, I’ll make him aware, but I’d like to keep this private for now, please.” She reluctantly agrees, and I go back up to my room.

  Hearing Anton reading to Lana, I stop and listen for a moment as he describes the story in great detail. Emphasizing the characters with different voices. Her girlish giggles never fail to put a smile on my face. With Lana, Anton is a completely different man, one I know I could easily fall in love with.

  Chapter 3

  Anton

  Rising with the sun and birds is nothing new to me. I’ve been an early riser my whole life. I enjoy the silent mornings to myself before the rest of the house wakes up and Lana takes over like a little tyrant.

  The girl scammed me into three stories last night, so I was unable to have a word with Sofiy before she fell asleep. My darling daughter keeps the woman active and on her toes. Anyone would be exhausted at the end of a day.

  Straightening the black tie of my suit, I’m ready to crush Gregor’s demands for a lower cost on weapons. Anyone who has ever dealt with me knows I don’t negotiate. If anything, trying that tactic will only spur me to raise the price or cut our business ties. Gregor does not want to find a new supplier; I will make it impossible for him.

  Leaving my room, I run into Olena. “Could you have coffee sent to my office shortly after Gregor arrives?” I ask, and she nods and carries on her way.

  I accepted this early meeting because I wanted Gregor and company out of my house before Lana woke up. I don’t typically conduct business at home, but our office building in Odessa is under construction and won’t have power for the next three days. Since I own the building and ordered the updates in wiring throughout the old structure, I’m forced to use my home office.

  Walking down the stairs, the doorbell rings, and much to my surprise, Sofiy is awake and the one answering it. Grinding my teeth as Gregor’s eyes travel down her body, I force myself not to kill the man.

  “Well, look at you. Aren’t you a vision of deliciousness?” Gregor’s nasally voice makes me want to punch him.

  “Good morning, Gregor,” I say so sharply that Sofiy jumps. “Miss Koval, thank you, that’ll be all.” Grasping Sofiy’s arm harder than I mean to, I drag her away from the lecherous old man. Her gasp from the pain makes my jaw tighten further.

  “Oh, come now, Anton, tell me she can join us. I’d like some entertainment while we conduct business.” His laugh is more like a bellow as I shove Sofiy towards the stairs with a stern look that I’m sure she misinterprets as my anger.

  “This is my home, Gregor, not a strip club. You will show respect to my staff, or Petro will have no trouble showing you out.” As if on cue, my youngest brother appears from the hallway. He is one of the darkest men I know. Far more than myself. He is filled with rage and enjoys taking it out on those who piss me off.

  “Lead the way, bossman.” Gregor’s sarcasm isn’t lost on either of us as I lead us to my office. Once there, I invite Gregor and his two companions to make themselves comfortable inside before turning to Petro.

  “Where’s Vasyl?” Our middle brother is the one who set this meeting up. If he misses it, I’m going to kick his ass.

  “On his way. He got stuck on the docks with a slight problem.” I raise a brow in question. “Once they leave, we’ll discuss it.” Nodding my agreement, I enter the room and stride to my desk, a confident swagger in every step.

  For years, I watched my father as he conducted these meetings, knowing I would stand in his stead one day. Unlike the older man, I have no tolerance for men who try to gain the upper hand by testing my patience.

  “Gentlemen.” I nod to Gregor as I sit behind my desk. He and his right-hand man, Anthony Hays—an American—have taken the seats in front of me while the third stands against the wall. “How can I help you today?”

  Petro stands near the door, feigning boredom by playing with his phone, but I know he’s prepared for anything. My youngest brother is the one nobody sees coming. He’s the one our enemies never anticipate because he constantly appears relaxed, laid-back.

  “The guns,” Gregor begins. “I think we need to discuss the price. I found a dealer–“

  “Let me stop you right there. Nobody has product as good as mine. Nobody ensures the weapons you buy are the real deal and not some knockoff like I do. If you’re about to tell me that you found them at a cheaper price, then I’m promising you they’re fake and won’t fire. Honestly, they’re likely being tracked.” Steepling my hands on my desk, I wait for him to refute my statement as the door swings open.

  “You started without me.” Vasyl frowns, striding forward and taking his place next to my desk.

  “You’re late,” I point out.

  “Couldn’t be helped.” He shrugs.

  “As I was telling your brother, I found a better price,” Gregor remarks.

  Vasyl snorts. “You found yourself an undercover government operative who will track you and arrest everyone in your organization. The serial numbers are still attached, the firing pins aren’t working on fifty percent of them, and if my guy in Russia is correct—which he always is—they have a truck full of agents waiting for you in Turkey where you plan to massacre one of your rivals. Tell me again how they’re cheaper than ours?” Vasyl crosses his arms, proud of himself. I admit I’m impressed as well.

  A slight knock at the door brings the coffee I asked for. Nodding at Petro to allow Trina in, I’m shocked to see Sofiy with the rolling cart filled with drinks.

  My jaw grinds as she timidly walks closer. I can see she doesn’t want to be here, and by the looks of my brothers, they don’t want her in this room any more than I do. Her head remains down as she stops next to my desk, pouring and placing a cup in front of me, then Vasyl.

  As she hands one to Gregor, he grasps her wrist. “Are you sure she can’t be the entertainment, Anton?” the pudgy asshole asks again, and I want to snap his neck for touching my Sofiy. But I can’t react, or he’ll do his best to use it against me.

  “Positive. Sofiy isn’t the kind of woman who understands what a man wants or needs.”

  Her eyes dart to me briefly, and I notice the hurt flash in them. Inwardly cursing, I need to get her out of here. Gazing at Petro, I can see he’s struggling with his anger. He’s as protective of her as he would be a sister, and I can appreciate that more than ever right now because he slams the door shut, making her jump and spill coffee across my desk, giving me the opening I need.

  Standing, I bellow, “For fuck’s sake, Miss Koval, I’ve fucking warned you about being such a klutz.” Rounding my desk, I clasp her upper arm in my hand, trying to be mindful of the force so I don’t bruise her again. “Get out, come back to clean this up when we’re finished. One more fuck-up, and you’re fired.”

  Pushing her out of the room, I see tears in her eyes as Olena catches her. If anyone could breathe fire, it would be the older woman, and I’m sure I’ll hear about this later.

  Slamming the door shut again, I see Vasyl has mopped up the coffee, and Gregor wears an annoyed look on his face. “Maybe she’s not so pleasant,” he grunts.

  “Perhaps not,” I agree with him, hating myself. “Now, the guns. We’re not selling to you. In fact, I’m blacklisting you, Gregor. You know better than to use my weapons to harm innocents. Your planned attack isn’t happening, and if I find out you do, Petro will be the least of your worries.”

  My brothers stand next to me, waiting for the man to blow a gasket as they escort him and his men out. This entire morning has pissed me off for many different reasons, and the largest is the way I made the woman I want to keep as my own feel.

  I have many things to apologize for now, and I’m not entirely sure how I will get her to forgive me.

  Sofiy

  * * *

  Lana sits on my bed, dressing her dolls as I pack my bags for the weekend. I’m equally dreading and excited to go home. I’ll be happy to see my father, but my mother is another story. She was never the maternal type. While Vlad was left to do as he pleased, she made it her life’s mission to ensure I would, one day, be the perfect wife.

  “Will you come back, Sofiy?” Lana peers up at me.

  My bus leaves in an hour for Mykolaiv, a large city about three hours away. “Of course, I will. I might even have a present for you.” A woman in the village handcrafts dolls and clothes that I know Lana would love.

  “What kind?” she whispers.

  “It’ll be a surprise,” I respond because I’m not sure what the woman will have.

  “What’s this?” I hear Anton snap from the doorway. Arms crossed, a menacing glare in his eyes as he views my luggage, and I sense his anger.

  “Run on to the kitchen for that snack now.” I smile at Lana. Once the girl is clear and won’t hear the outburst her father is about to have, I clear my throat. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, but I’ve been called home. I’ll catch a bus soon. Olena knows and has arranged alternate care for Lana over the weekend. I’ll be back Sunday evening.” His scrutiny is so intense, I nearly fidget. Instead, I close the top of my suitcase and place it on the gro
und at my feet.

  “You’re not leaving.” His words are clipped, and he doesn’t move from his stance.

  Grasping my coat off the small chair by my desk, I slip my arms in the sleeves and button it up before responding. “Yes, Mr. Renznikov, I am. I apologize for the abruptness, but I must return home. Olena has cleared me for the weekend.”

  “No,” he bites out again, standing straighter.

  Annoyed and exasperated, I pick up my handheld bag and suitcase and begin to stride past him. His rough clasp on my arm freezes me. “If you leave this house, Miss Koval, do not come back.”

  “You’ll fire me for an emergency?” I can’t believe him.

  “I have things far more important that I need you here for this weekend. If you leave, your employment in my house is terminated.” I hate him in this moment.

  Forcing me to choose between my job and my father is entirely unfair. Not that he knows because I didn’t want him to worry about me travelling a route I’ve done alone plenty of times.

  I needn’t have been concerned about his care for me, though, since he obviously has none. “I’m sorry this is what you feel you must do.”

  “Good. You’ll stay then.” The confidence in his tone makes me see red.

  I keep my composure, however. “I’ll find employment elsewhere.” Ripping my arm from his grasp, I walk away with my head held high and my back straight.

  Olena and Lana are at the bottom of the staircase, waiting to see me off, and I know I can’t say anything yet. I’ll call Olena when I arrive home and request her to ship the rest of my belongings and beg her forgiveness for leaving her in the lurch.

  “Don’t forget ‘bout me, Sofiy!” Lana wraps her tiny arms around my legs, breaking my heart. I’ve raised this little girl for most of her life; leaving now is akin to abandoning my own child.

  “I could never forget about you, princess.” Bending down, I return her hug and kiss the top of her head.

  “Call me when you arrive safely.” Olena smiles genuinely, and I know I’ll miss her as well, even when she’s cranky.

  Without looking back, I walk out the front and enter the waiting taxi, giving directions to the bus depot. The Renznikov house was my home for years, and now I’m leaving it all behind because of a cantankerous man who can’t decide if he likes me or hates me, and I despise his changing moods so much. While we weren’t friends, I admit to crushing on Anton, even when he was mean to me. Especially these past few days after he kissed me.

  I thought, for a moment in time, our relationship was turning around, only to realize he’s just as selfish now as he was a year ago.

  Chapter 4

  Sofiy

  “Sofiy, dorohyy, why do you look so sad?” my tato asks as he sits on the fountain wall, watching me pick flowers for a bouquet to place on Vlad’s grave. Every day he grows weaker, and I see him dying right before me.

  “Because soon, I’ll have lost my two best men.” I can’t look up as I place each wildflower in a basket I brought. Pebbles from the ground dig into my knees, reminding me I’m very much alive.

  I’ve been home for a week. Olena wasn’t pleased about Anton’s decision, but like me, she knows there’s nothing either of us can do to change his mind. Apparently, little Lana is causing quite the ruckus at home and lashing out against her new au pair. She wants me and is ensuring everyone knows it.

  “We will always be here, though”—he taps my chest over my heart—“and here.” His soft touch brushes over my head.

  “I know,” I whisper. “But it’ll never be the same.”

  Cupping my cheek, Tato tilts my head to face him; a sad look crosses his eyes as he smiles down at me tenderly. “Your mama will need you when I’m gone.” I scoff. “She is only harsh with you because you are so much like her. Your strong will, your determination and stubbornness. Your desire to be with a man who adores you so completely you can hardly breathe.”

  “Did you feel that way?” I query.

  He nods. “Your mama was my angel from the heavens. She was a gift I did not deserve.” I wish I knew this woman he speaks of. Because the one who raised me was harsh, brutal, and cold. I never felt love from her. He must see my thoughts in my eyes because he tells me, “She knew you had to be the strongest woman in any of her generations to take on the man who wants to claim you, dorohyy Sofiy.”

  “No man wants to claim me.” Getting to my feet, I pick up the basket and hold out my arm for him as we meander to Vlad’s grave beyond the battered wood fence leading out of town.

  Patting my arm with his wrinkled hand, the contrast of his pale skin to my tanned flesh steals my breath. It’s another reminder that he doesn’t have much time left.

  “Yes, dorohyy dočka, you do. Anton Renznikov just needs to pull his stubborn head out of his ass.” A burst of laughter erupts from deep in my belly because that is the biggest piece of bullshit I’ve ever heard.

  With a tight smile, I can only nod. My parents have no idea that he fired me because I came home. They only know that I have a few extra days before I have to go back to work. Olena has been kind enough to get me a job as a housekeeper with another family. Her friend has an open position, and I start in two days.

  Arriving at Vlad’s grave, leaves and dead flowers covering his headstone, I kneel down to clean it off and place the fresh flowers down. “I sure do miss you,” I murmur, wishing more than anything he was still here.

  Backing off so Tato can say his piece with Vlad in private, I sit against a large tree a few feet away, watching the man I admire most in the world. His mortality has been rapidly approaching all week, and I don’t know if I’m ready to let go, to say goodbye. I don’t believe I know how to.

  As storm clouds begin to roll in, turning the bright blue sky dark and grey, I know we only have minutes before the rain begins to fall.

  “Tato, we should go.” Standing, I stride over to him to find tears rolling down his cheeks, and I understand all too well.

  Holding a hand out for him, I help him back up to his feet. “I’ll get to see him again.” His tone is watery yet happy. I want to say, “But you’ll be leaving me,” except I keep it to myself. There’s nothing that can be done, and making him feel guilty for wanting to see his son isn’t something I aim to do.

  “We’ll be watching over you.” He leans over to kiss my cheek in comfort as I feel the first raindrop.

  The surprise storm chose a terrible time to bubble up. I didn’t bring an umbrella, and there aren’t many places to take shelter on the fifteen-minute walk home.

  “Promise me something, Sofiy.”

  “Anything.” I gaze up at him.

  “When you have a little boy, you’ll never name him after me. Bogdon is a terrible name.” Shocked, that’s not what I was expecting, but I suspect it gave him what he wanted. Me, laughing.

  “I promise, Tato.”

  The remainder of the walk home is done quietly as tiny raindrops cover us. Thankfully, the downpour waited until we walked in the door, and now, as I help him lay down while Mama makes dinner, the sound soothes me enough to come to terms with how drastically my life is changing once again.

  Anton

  * * *

  “No!” I hear Lana scream at her new au pair for what must be the tenth time today. The woman hasn’t a large enough backbone to deal with my sweet girl. Olena did not choose this one well either.

  It’s been two weeks since I gave Sofiy her ultimatum, and I’ve never felt such regret the way I did that day. As soon as she walked out the front door, I should have gone after her. Like a fool, I knew I’d made a mistake, and I can’t do much to change it now.

  “You know she’s going to scare this one off too, right,” Petro chuckles from the door as he watches his niece march circles around her third caregiver.

  “The fact she hasn’t is surprising,” Vasyl mutters from his perch on a chair in front of me.

  Ignoring their comments, I snap, “Have you found her yet?”

  Thanks to Olena’s annoyance after the second au pair, she confessed that Sofiy went home. When Petro arrived, he shared how shocked he was at how sickly Sofiy’s father had gotten. That the man looked like death and was likely holding on only long enough to ensure Sofiy was taken care of.