Chapter 7 The Deal Is Sealed

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA(THE BRATVA'S EMPIRE)

The Pakhan's office

The following day, Ivan, Ronan, and Barino stood before the Pakhan's desk, where the contract lay with a pen.

The Pakhan's voice was strict. "Are you ready for the alliance, or do you want to walk away?"

Ivan's response was firm. "We're born ready. We'll do anything for this alliance. After much thought, we're willing to offer one of our daughters in marriage."

He continued, "My first daughter, Valerie, is 23 years old, finishing college. She's a good fit."

The Pakhan's face showed displeasure. "What about the second daughter?"

Ivan hesitated. "Donatella's 19, almost 20. She's still young, doesn't know much about life."

The Pakhan's gaze didn't waver. "And the youngest?"

Ivan's voice was cautious. "She's 18. Too innocent, too naive."

The Pakhan's expression turned calculating. "I don't like Valerie. I want your second daughter. She seems quite fiery, doesn't she? I see a spark in her eyes that suggests she's got a lot of potential and a strong personality. What's her name again?"

Ivan's face fell. "Donatella...yes, that's who you want."

The Pakhan's voice was firm. "She'll be 20 soon. Eight years' difference isn't too much. Are you interested or not?"

Ivan's head shook slightly, a look of resignation on his face.

The Pakhan pointed to the contract. "Go through it, sign it."

The contract's terms were listed:

- The Bratva would offer protection and resources to the La Famiglia De Luca.

- Mikhail and ______________would produce an heir within a year.

- The La Famiglia De Luca would provide financial and military support to the Bratva.

- The couple would reside in the Bratva's territory.

- The La Famiglia De Luca would have limited involvement in the Bratva's internal affairs.

- The alliance would last for at least 10 years.

The Pakhan's eyes locked on Ivan. "If you're ready to sign, fill in her name."

Ivan's hand hesitated for a moment before writing "Donatella" in the blank space.

He signed the contract, followed by Ronan and Barino.

The Pakhan's face showed satisfaction. "The deal is sealed."

NATALIA'S APARTMENT(THE BRATVA'S EMPIRE)

Natalia lay asleep, wrapped in the duvet. Adrian gazed at her, his eyes filled with love. He caressed her face, smoothing out her features. Natalia smiled in her sleep.

"I know you're awake," Adrian said, his deep voice low and husky.

Natalia giggled, wrapping her hands around his body, pulling herself closer. Her face rested on his chest, and she caressed him, her hands moving up and down.

"Ah," Adrian sighed, relief evident in his voice.

"What a long night," Natalia whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.

They shared a gentle smack, followed by bursts of laughter.

"Yesterday's birthday was exhausting," Natalia said, still chuckling.

Adrian's mood shifted, his expression turning serious. Natalia noticed the change.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice softening.

Adrian stared at her, his eyes filled with a mix of pain and confusion. "I'm scared," he whispered, his hands moving through her hair.

Natalia groaned, rolling away from him. She sat up, her back to Adrian. "We're not discussing this again, are we?"

"Natalia, we can't keep this a secret forever," Adrian said, his voice laced with concern. "What if Mikhail finds out about us? What if your grandfather finds out? Our relationship is forbidden, Natalia. The Pakhan's granddaughter and a guard...it's not acceptable."

Natalia shook her head, her voice stern. "No, no. We're not going over this again. Our relationship is our business, and we'll deal with it our way."

Adrian's eyes locked onto hers, filled with love and fear. "I love you, Natalia. I love you so much. I care about you, and I want us to be together forever. But I'm scared of how everything is going to turn out if we're caught."

Natalia's expression softened, and she crawled onto Adrian's lap, straddling him. She crossed her arms around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. When she finally broke away, she whispered, "When that time comes, we'll face it together. But for now, let's worry about now."

Adrian's eyes searched hers. "You're not worried, are you?"

Natalia smiled, her voice barely above a whisper. "Of course, I am. But I cherish you, and I'll stop at nothing to be with you."

They smiled at each other, and their lips met again in a tender kiss. As they fell onto the bed, Adrian eventually pulled away, his voice husky. "I have to go. I don't need to be caught."

Natalia stared at him as he stood up, putting on his trousers and shirt. "You look hot," she said, her voice filled with admiration.

Adrian smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anyways, I enjoyed last night," he said, his voice low and teasing.

They smacked at each other, laughing. "Bye, I love you," Adrian said, his voice filled with emotion.

"I love you too," Natalia replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

**********

As Adrian came out of the door, he saw Igor coming his way. He tried to change direction, but Igor's voice stopped him. "No need, I saw you," Igor said with a sarcastic tone.

Adrian paused and turned to him, nonchalantly asking, "So what?"

Igor walked towards him, their eyes locked in a tense stare. "You think I don't know about you and Natalia?" Igor said, his voice low and menacing.

Adrian's expression turned cold. "Just fuck off. You're just jealous that I'm the one she loves, and she doesn't love you."

Igor's face twisted in a smirk. "You know I could just tell Nikolai or Mikhail about this, and you'd be in trouble."

Adrian laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement. "What proof do you have?"

Igor's smirk grew wider. "Don't worry, I'll catch you guys red-handed soon enough."

Adrian shook his head and walked away, leaving Igor standing alone.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA(MIKHAIL'S PENTHOUSE)

Mikhail and Alexei sat at the bar area, sipping their drinks.

"How was your time in America?" Mikhail asked, his voice detached.

"It was fun," Alexei replied. "I had a blast with lots of girls. We went to the night clubs, and they were wild. America is more vibrant than Russia. I feel like going back there again, but unfortunately, I can't. We have a lot going on now in the Bratva."

Mikhail sipped his drink, his eyes fixed on Alexei. "Can you believe Dedushka wants me to get married?"

Alexei's eyes widened, and he burst out laughing. "What the fuck?"

Mikhail's gaze remained cold as he sipped his drink. "You don't expect me to get married, do you?"

Alexei chuckled. "Yeah, but I mean, it's not bad."

Mikhail's voice turned icy. "I don't need any woman by my side - they're nothing but pawns to be used and discarded."

His phone rang, interrupting him. He picked up without hesitation.

The Pakhan's voice was cold and steady on the other end. "Come to the empire, right now. I have something to discuss with you."

Mikhail's expression remained impassive as he listened to the Pakhan's words. He ended the call and turned to Alexei. "Dedushka wants me at the empire now."

Alexei nodded. "Alright, we'll talk later."

Mikhail stood up, grabbed his suit jacket and car keys, and left the penthouse. He got into his McLaren, a sleek black sports car, and drove to the Bratva's empire.

BRATVA EMPIRE(THE PAKHAN'S SUITE)

Mikhail entered the living room, and the Pakhan, dressed in his suit, turned to face him. "Dedushka," Mikhail greeted, his voice neutral.

The Pakhan stretched out his hand, signaling Mikhail to come. "Come, drink with me."

Mikhail sat down opposite his grandfather, poured wine into two glasses, and handed one to the Pakhan. The Pakhan took a sip, his eyes locked on Mikhail with an unyielding intensity.

"I have something very important to discuss with you," the Pakhan said, his voice firm, brooking no argument. He pointed to a contract on the table. "Read this."

Mikhail took the contract, his fingers closing around it like a vice. As he read, his face began to burn with a slow-building rage. His eyes scanned the pages, and his anger intensified, his jaw clenched in fury.

After finishing the contract, he slammed it down on the table, the sound echoing through the room like a crack of thunder.

"What's the meaning of this?" Mikhail's voice was low, menacing, and cold, his words dripping with venom.

The Pakhan sipped his wine, his expression unyielding, his eyes glinting like ice. "It is what it is."

Mikhail's anger seethed and boiled, threatening to erupt. "The last time we had this discussion, I told you I wouldn't take it lightly. Because of respect, I let it slide. But this time, I won't let it slide."

The Pakhan's face turned cold, and he dropped his cup, the sound of shattering glass punctuating the air. "I, Sergei Morozov, I'm the Pakhan of the Bratva Empire. You work under me, regardless of being my grandson. You'll be the future Pakhan, and it's a tradition for you to have a wife. I am seventy years old, and I can die anytime soon."

Mikhail's anger exploded, his face twisted in a snarl. "You're not dying now, and Nikolai is the original heir."

The Pakhan's voice rose to a thunderous shout. "No, I want you as my successor! You will marry and secure the Bratva's future!"

Mikhail's face contorted in rage. "I'm not getting married, and I don't want to discuss this with you again."

He paced around the room, his anger building, until he finally unleashed it, punching the wall with a ferocity that made the sound of his fist hitting the concrete seem almost deafening. "Fuck!" he roared, his anger boiling over.

As he turned to walk away, he heard a whimpering sound. He turned to see the Pakhan crying, tears streaming down his face.

"Why are you crying? Tell me why you're crying!" Mikhail's voice was laced with anger and confusion.

The Pakhan's voice was barely above a whisper, laced with pain. "I wasn't supposed to tell you this... but I have pancreatic cancer. I've been given two years to live, and I'm already in the last stage."

Mikhail's world came crashing down around him. He stared at his grandfather, his mind reeling from the news, his heart heavy with shock and grief. He was speechless, unable to find the words to respond.

The Pakhan's voice was low, laced with pain and desperation. "Please, this is a request from your dying grandfather. Please get married, have children, give me great-grandchildren. Nikolai has been married for over two years, but doesn't have a child. I don't know what's wrong with him or Savannah."

Mikhail's face twisted in a mix of anger and frustration. The Pakhan continued, his voice cracking with emotion. "Alexei is still young, Natalia is young too. You have what it takes to be a leader, to lead the Bratva empire. You will talk, you will make decisions that will shape the future of our empire."

Mikhail's anger boiled over, and he clenched his fists, his body shaking with rage. He opened his eyes, and his gaze locked onto the Pakhan's pleading face. Mikhail spoke, his voice cold and detached.

"I will do it."

The Pakhan's eyes widened in shock, and he stared at Mikhail, unsure if he had heard correctly. "What?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mikhail's expression remained cold, his voice firm. "I will not repeat myself."

The Pakhan's face lit up with hope, and he stood up, rushing to hug Mikhail tightly. But his body betrayed him, and he began to cough violently, each cough racking his frail body.

Mikhail watched, his expression unyielding, as he took the Pakhan's arm and led him to a seat. He offered him a glass of water, and the Pakhan's lips curled into a weak smile as he took it.

As the Pakhan sipped the water, Mikhail stood over him, his mind already racing with the implications of his decision. He had agreed to get married, but he had no intention of going easy on the Pakhan. The game had just begun, and Mikhail was ready to play.

SICILY, ITALY(THE DE LUCA'S RESIDENCE)

The De Luca's had just returned to Italy from the Pakhan's birthday party in Russia, and the atmosphere in the house was tense. Ivan and his wife, Anastasia, and their three daughters, Valerie, Donatella, and Ariana, walked into their home, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the hallway. As they were climbing the stairs, Ivan suddenly stopped and turned to face them, his eyes filled with a mix of determination and desperation.

"Wait," he said, his voice firm and commanding, yet laced with a hint of sorrow.

Everybody paused and turned to him, curiosity and concern etched on their faces. "I have something to discuss with all of you," Ivan said, his eyes scanning the room, his gaze lingering on each of his daughters.

The wife and daughters exchanged glances, then sat down, their faces filled with anticipation and worry. Ivan sat at the head of the room, a stern expression on his face, his eyes clouded with emotion.

He pulled out a black book and dropped it on the table with a thud, the sound echoing through the room like a death knell. "Go through it," he said, his voice cold and detached, yet trembling with emotion.

Anastasia, Valerie, and Ariana all went through it, their faces growing paler with each passing moment. They were shocked and speechless, unable to comprehend the contents of the book.

Finally, it was Donatella's turn. She stood up, took the book, and glanced at the contents. Her eyes widened in shock, and she threw the book away, her face twisted in anger and pain. "Papa, what do you mean?" she demanded, her voice rising, tears welling up in her eyes. "What do you mean I'm getting married? Who is Mikhail? What does he look like?"

Donnatella's anger and pain were palpable, and Ivan and Anastasia exchanged a glance, their faces filled with sorrow and concern. Anastasia spoke up, her voice calm and soothing, yet laced with a hint of desperation. "Sit down, Donatella, please."

But Donatella refused to sit. "No, I'm not sitting down until you explain to me what's going on," she said, her voice firm and determined, yet shaking with emotion. "What happened to Valerie? She's twenty-three years old, and I'm just nineteen going to twenty."

Ivan's face turned stern, and he shouted, his voice cracking with emotion. "Do you think I don't know? Do you think I'm happy with this?" The room fell silent, with all eyes on Ivan, the tension and emotion hanging in the air like a challenge.

Donnatella's face was a picture of confusion and pain, and Ivan's expression softened slightly as he began to explain, his voice heavy with emotion. "The La Mano Roja's attacked us, Giovanni died... we need an alliance with the Pakhan. He requested marriage in return... I wanted Valerie, but the Pakhan said he wanted you as his future daughter-in-law. Mikhail Morozov is twenty-eight years old, and according to the Pakhan, he's not a bad man. He'll take care of you as his wife."

Donnatella's face contorted in pain, and she stared at her father, tears streaming down her face, her body shaking with sobs. "I'm not accepting this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her words echoing through the room like a plea.

Ivan's face twisted in pain as he watched his daughter's reaction. "Everyone is looking up to you, Donatella," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "The La Famiglia De Luca is looking up to you. You are the one who can save us from the Mexican attacks. We need the Bratva's assistance."

Donnatella's face was a picture of despair, and she shook her head, tears streaming down her face, her body wracked with sobs. She turned and walked upstairs, leaving her family in stunned silence, the sound of her sobs echoing through the hallway like a heartbreaking melody.