CHAPTER 10: IVAN

Words can't begin to describe how exhausting the past two months have been. I had men stationed at the port to alert me or my men of any suspicious movements related to my stolen shipments. The lead Nikolai had the other day at the restaurant, led us to a warehouse down in Manhattan which we've been closely monitoring for a long time now. 

The only person reported to be seen coming in and out frequently was a woman. Even the man who led us there hasn't been seen. 

Well, that was over a month ago. I had a few men keep an eye out just in case something came up and then I left New York for my oath taking ceremony in Moscow which lasted for two weeks.

I swirl my special ring of authority between my fingers before placing it in the safe box of my home office and taking a seat to get some work done. 

My phone rings and seeing Lev's name pop up on the screen, I think I might have an idea on why he's calling. "Yeah?" 

"Hello to you too, brother. Shouldn't you be in bed with your bride by now?" I roll my eyes to his nosey question. I can't say I wasn't expecting it anyway.

"Butt out, you nosey fuck." 

I hear him chuckle. "You bet I am." There's a rustling sound like he's going through some papers. "Ah, there it is. The arms shipment came in twenty minutes ago. Wanna check it out before I send it off to Diego tomorrow?" 

"You confirmed everything is intact?" 

"I always do." I can almost picture his expression; a hand to his chest while feigning hurt. I pull out an already rolled blunt from the stash in my drawer and light it. Lev's just not a blood brother to me. He's also my right hand man, second in command and best friend so I trust him with every and anything I do. "I've just received the balance. Everything's good to go now."

"Good. Have it delivered yourself, please. We'll see tomorrow." 

"Stay in with your wife, It's bad enough you both aren't going on a honeymoon. I'll handle everything and update you." 

With a sigh, I mutter a "thanks" and end the call.

My wife.

The word sounds odd coming out of my mouth and will definitely take some time to get used too. 

I couldn't be more grateful for a peaceful day. I had my best men stationed at the wedding grounds just in case something went wrong today. I was still making sure things were in order from where I was at the altar when the doors opened and Lucia walked in with her dad.

Fuck, I can't get that memory out of my head. Whoever designed that gown deserves an accolade. It was the perfect wedding gown with just the right amount of everything for Lucia. I was beyond bedazzled.

Then our eyes met and I felt the oddest emotion just seconds into looking at those beautiful blue eyes. That feeling alone made me look away immediately. 

My eyes catch movement on my CCTV computer screen. It takes me a second to realize that it's Lucia coming out of the ensuite, dressed in pink boy shorts with her singlet top making it past her head before covering her breast as she walks to the bed.

All this happened in less than a minute. I rush to turn off the CCTV camera on my computer and make a mental note to have the maintenance guy take down the camera while she's out of her room.

I don't want her thinking she got married to a perv. I had CCTV cameras installed years ago in almost every room of the house. 

I put out my blunt, the image of those perky tits filling my vision. After thirty minutes of trying to concentrate on my work with no success, I quit trying and headed back upstairs to my room.