The Mafia’s Accidental Bride

Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

MAXIM’S POV

I knew I was walking into the lion's den when I stepped into that gala hall. I had no interest in being there but I had to. I was the new pakhan and I had to act like it. I wasn’t supposed to resume my duties until after I was done with the noise of Luca’s wedding but the gala was a good opportunity to network even if it was with my enemies.

I’d done enough people watching for the night and decided to head home. It had been weeks since I’d gotten proper sleep and I was hoping to get a few hours to rest before we had to leave for Vegas the next day.

I loosened my tie immediately I got into the car and instructed the driver to take me home. I got into the shower immediately after I got inside my penthouse. I was washing away weeks of stress from my body.

I stepped out of the shower and dried myself off with a towel. My phone rang and I rushed to pick it up. It was my right-hand man, Andrei.

“Boss, we’ve secured plans to take control over the North.” He said as soon as I picked up.

“Good.” I nodded. “We’ll begin once I get back from Vegas.”

“Okay, boss.” I expected him to hang up but he stayed on the line like he had something else to say.

“Anything else?” I asked.

“Some of the men are worried you’re risking starting a war between the Italians and us. They think it’s too soon to be making big moves like this without having a conversation with them first.” He answered.

“My father when he was alive tried having that conversation and that didn’t work well. The Russians have been getting the short end of the stick in this area and I won’t sit back and watch. If any of the men have a problem with my decisions, they can feel free to take it up with me.” I replied harshly.

“Okay, boss.” He said and hung up.

I threw my phone on the nightstand and got dressed in some sleep clothes. I took my pills and got into bed. I didn’t plan on becoming pakhan this early. I had a good five to eight years left in me but my old man decided to succumb to his illnesses. If I were going to do the job, I was going to do it right.

As usual, falling asleep was a nightmare but I managed to get a whole eight hours of sleep. By the time I woke up the next day, it was past 11am. I got some texts from Andrei updating me on how business was going.

I went to my home gym and did a 30-minute workout before I went to freshen up. I had a meeting with the board before we had to leave for Vegas.

I got ready for my meeting and left the house. It was only a ten-minute drive from my building to the company. The meeting was 2 hours long and after that, I went straight to the airport. My luggage was already packed in the trunk.

I planned to fly privately to Vegas but Luca convinced me that in order to get the full experience, I needed to travel with everybody. The guy had a way with his words so I had no choice but to agree.

I got to the private hangar and the jet was waiting. It seemed like I was the last one to board. Everybody else was waiting for me.

I got on the jet and got settled in. I took note of everyone on the plane. There were four girls and guys including myself. I recognized some of the guys while the girls were strangers to me. The only girl I recognized was the one from the gala who was with Gabrielle.

Apart from recognizing her from the gala, she was Anthony Marino’s daughter. I didn’t know before but then she introduced herself to me. When I shook hands with her, it was like shaking hands with the enemy. I needed to stay away from that one.

The jet took off once all of us were settled in. It was only a four-hour flight. Conversations were going on that I wasn’t a part of. I just relaxed in my seat and quietly observed everyone.

We landed in Vegas and went straight to the hotel. We all got checked in. Luca and his wife booked an entire floor for us. I got an hour alone in my room before Luca called me down to play pool with the boys. The girls decided to do their own thing. I didn’t bother to ask what.

We played pool and got drinks. I was so into the game that I didn't realize how much time had passed. It was almost midnight. Luca got a call from Gabrielle saying that they needed us to pick them up.

Even though they had drivers and security, Luca didn't question it one bit. He just shouted at us to follow him. After driving for almost 30 minutes, we found them. They were all drunk and wasted, some more than others.

Luca and the other guys rushed to help the girls who were barely standing straight.

“Maxim, can you get Elena?” Luca asked and nodded over to her.

She was a drunken mess. She tried to walk to the car but she kept tripping and was uttering a whole bunch of rubbish. I said I would stay away from her but I was being forced to help her.

I took two long steps towards her and grabbed her arm.

“You.” She pointed at me. “You’re the Russian from the gala. What’s your name again?”

“That’s not important, malyshka. Let’s get you in the car.” I carried her bridal style because I couldn’t be bothered with letting her try to walk. I deposited her in the car and got in after her.

“You’re so much more handsome than him. You’d make a better husband.” She slurred but I could hear her words clearly. What the heck was she talking about?