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.”

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