Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 339

ASHER

I looked at him and answered him as calmly as I could.

“No. Of course not.” Then I shrugged slightly.

“But who are we kidding? He won’t be in power for long.”

“How dare you!” Yuri stepped forward angrily. But his father lifted a hand, stopping him immediately.

“Enough,” he said.

Yuri froze in place. Alex Volkov turned back to me.

“Now,” he said. “What do you want, Romano?”

“Is Yuri going to be the next leader of the Bratva?” I asked.

“Maybe.”

Yuri’s head snapped toward his father instantly.

Interesting. I thought to myself. I guess the old man hasn’t made up his mind yet.

“Is there someone else you have in mind for the position?” I asked.

“That’s personal,” Alex replied calmly. “But I had three sons. I lost one. I still have two other sons who can take over the position.”

Yuri suddenly spoke.

“Basta has only thought about women and alcohol his whole life.... " You can't possibly be thinking of making him your heir.....” he snapped toward his father.

“Not here,” Alex said sharply.

Then he turned back to me.

“So,” he said calmly, “when you have something to give me, you can call me. And we can figure out a new contract.”

“What happens now?” I asked.

“For now,” he replied, “let things continue as they are until we meet again.”

" Will we continue conducting business, and you promise not to attack?"

"You have my word." He gave a small nod. “It was nice seeing you again, Don Romano.”

“So was mine,” I replied.

His father stood up slowly, and Yuri helped him to his feet. As he straightened, Yuri Volkov looked at me one last time.

“I took no pleasure in this meeting,” he said. “Which had no meaning whatsoever.”

“At least now I know your family isn’t the one attacking me, right?” I replied lightly. Then I winked.

I turned around and started walking away but Luca stayed where he was. We couldn’t all turn our backs on our enemies. He had to make sure I was safely outside before he walked away. Daniel waited near the entrance until Luca moved. Then the guards would leave in sequence. Exactly the way we had planned.

I walked out of the warehouse and got into the car. My mind was already running. Already working. The car door shut with a thud behind me, and for a moment I didn't say anything. The engine hummed quietly while the driver waited for my command. But my mind was not at the present moment.

Something wasn't right today.

Not with the Volkov's.

And not with this meeting.

Alex Volkov had many faults, but stupidity was not one of them. If he were lying about the bombs, he would have pushed harder to test my reactions. Instead, he looked annoyed, almost angry even.

He thought it was absurd that I would think he was behind it. And maybe he was right. Because I knew the kind of man Alex Volkov was. He was a direct hit kind of man. He didn’t hide behind shadows or games. When we were at war with him, you knew exactly where you stood. There were no mind games with Alex Volkov. Which meant if he was not responsible…

Then someone else had just declared war on me. And I still had no clue who they were.

A few minutes later, the passenger door opened and Luca slid into the seat beside me. Daniel entered the car behind us in the second vehicle. The other soldiers would wait until we were safely away before they vacated the warehouse surroundings.

Luca shut the door and looked at me.

“Well?” he asked.

“Alex Volkov didn’t do it,” I said.

Luca nodded once.

“Yes. I thought the same.”

“It’s not his kind of game,” I continued. “But then, given the loss he had taken, he was still high up on the list.”

“Alex Volkov leads with a heavy iron hand. But as we both know, Dinara was able to turn some of his soldiers who were under Alex’s reign to work without his knowledge.”

I glanced at Luca.

“What if Yuri is doing the same thing?”

Luca nodded slowly.

“Yeah… maybe you're right. But Yuri seems too unhinged to play mind games. He came straight to your face with the fact that he didn’t like you and he didn’t like the alliance between your families.... or his father's decision to marry Dinara to you.”

He paused.

“If our families were to have any relationship… if Yuri is the one who ends up in charge… we both know we’ll most likely be at war with the Bratva.”

I nodded.

“You’re right.”

For a moment I stared out the window, watching the dark streets slide past us. Then I said quietly,

“I think it’s time we took a closer look at Alex Volkov.”

Luca frowned slightly.

“ he’s not been in the picture for long, let's find out all we can about him.” I continued. “Let’s look at the other brother. Basta. I want a detailed report on both him and Yuri.”

I leaned forward slightly.

“There is something there. I just know it.”

Luca was quiet for a moment before he spoke again.

“Maybe he’s not the head of the operation.”

I looked at him.

“Maybe there’s a third player”, Luca continued slowly. “Someone who’s doing all of this. And maybe they have some kind of agreement with Yuri behind his father’s back.”

I considered that.... Maybe.

“Yes,” I said quietly. “That would make sense.”