Free Mafia Enforcer's Sassy Lover (The Karzhov Crime Family Series Book 4) by Leslie North Page B

catch?”  He smiled. “I admit I am not much of a white knight, but let us just way I like to do not like to leave problems to fester. Much better to lance these small boils and have done.”
    She shook her head and put her stare on the road. “I…thanks. But…I’m not going to be able to hang around. My stepdad—Earl has connections.”
    “So do I, milaya moya. So do I. For now…let us drive.”

Chapter 17
    Grigori drove the sleek Mercedes, and Val sat in back with Nikolai, who had asked they take the long route to the cemetery. Val had finished a full report to Nikolai about what had happened at the Yakuza club. Danil’s funeral and eulogy would be held and then Nikolai would return to Vegas to meet with the other Pakhans.
    Val glanced out at the desert. The clear blue sky looked inviting, but winter hung in the air. Snow would soon powder the mountains around Las Vegas. He glanced at Nikolai, who let out a breath. “The sooner we get this behind us, the better. Katya is going to be presented to the leaders this afternoon right before we break for dinner. I would like you both to be there.”
    “You think you need a show of strength?” Grigori asked. He glanced at Nikolai in the rear-view mirror.
    Nikolai offered a small smile. “It couldn’t hurt. This is a new era for the Bratva here in the United States. Not only has there never been a female leader, but leadership has never been shared equally between two people.”
    “You have our support,” Val said.
    Nikolai tapped one finger on his thigh. “I would also like you both to join me afterwards. I wish you to come with your women to witness my marriage to Katya.”
    “So you’ve asked her?” Val said. He was surprised. He had not seen a ring on Katya’s finger. But Chelsea would be happy. She not only liked Katya, she was the type of woman to adore weddings.
    Nikolai glanced out the car window. If Val did not know better he would have said Nik looked nervous. “Not yet. I will do that after she has met the other Pakhans. ”
    “You’re very confident she will say yes.”
    For a moment Nik’s mouth thinned. But he glanced at Val and said. “She will. Or I will find another use for the length of rope Grigori gave her.”
    Grigori’s laugh echoed in the car. Val looked from him to Nik and asked, “What rope?”
    Nikolai shook his head. “Ask Grigori later. And be wise and keep him away from your Chelsea. He is very good at corrupting our women.”
    Grigori threw a glance over his shoulder. “I have some beautiful new rope in a vibrant blue. You’re welcome to it.”
    Val shook his head. “If I decide to tie Chelsea up, I’ll procure my own rope, thanks.”
    Pulling into the cemetery’s gates, Grigori drove to the main building. Val knew that Nikolai had already had Danil’s remains cremated. The ceremony and the eulogy did not take long. Nik spoke of better days when Danil had worked for the family, and not just for his own greed. When it was done, Val followed Grigori and Nik back to the Mercedes. They drove back to Vegas in silence.
    At Nik’s building, Grigori parked. Nik got out and leaned into the car. “Remember—bring your women with you later.”
    Stepping back, Nikolai gave a wave to his men and entered his building. He nodded to the guard at the door and the other man he kept stationed by the elevator—he trusted these men to look after him. And to look after his most treasured Katya.
    Walking into his penthouse, he let out a long breath. It had been a sad day—and this a sad business. He had not wanted this end to Danil, but the man had forced it upon all of them.
    Walking into the living room, he found Katya arranging a vase of roses. Her black pant-suit showed off her curves and gave her the exact look Nikolai had been wanting for her. She looked confident. Serious. Sexy.
    She heard him and turned with a smile. Walking toward him, he decided that his Katya was sex in heels and she knew it!
    “Is it over?” She touched