Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
And then there was a loud crash as Nikolai grabbed my dresser, lifted the entire thing off the ground, then slammed it down on its front side in a fit of rage. The solid cherry wood piece of furniture was now in shambles, my clothes everywhere, but all I could think was, At least I decided against the mirror option.
“For fuck’s sake!” Dmitry shouted and started cursing in Russian. “Черт побери, контролируй себя, брат. Вести себя как псих тебе не помогает и сильно пугает женщин.” Damn it, control yourself, brother. Acting like a psycho isn't helping you, and it's scaring the women.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing, and admitted the rest to them. I told them how I’d been choked and how Gio saved me. But I didn't give them his name.
Dmitry turned and faced me, his expression unreadable. And then he took another step forward, his presence overwhelming. “You don’t know who the fighter was?”
I shook my head slowly. “I don’t think he was a fighter. He was probably just a groupie.” I shrugged, feeling like I sounded damned convincing, but my brothers were smart. They wouldn’t have gotten where they were without knowing how to read people without them saying a fucking word.
I looked up at them after realizing I was staring blindly out the window again.
I knew they would never stop worrying about me or wanting to keep me safe and protected. But I couldn't drag Gio into this. I wouldn't.
“That’s it. That's everything.” I shrugged, keeping my hands flat on my lap, because twisting my shirt, showing my nervousness, would tell them I was keeping shit from them.
You know they are probably already aware you're hiding the real information.
Nikolai came to stand beside Dmitry, and they started whispering, too quiet for me to hear what they were saying. Dmitry placed a hand on Nikolai’s shoulder, as if to calm him, when our brother started becoming even more tense.
I knew the two of them would tear the city apart to find out the identity of the man who hurt me. I just hoped they wouldn't find out about Gio in the process.
As they left my room, I felt a chill settle over me. I had bought some time… but for how long? The truth had a way of coming out. In my world, that was just unquestionable.
And when all the information was finally laid out, the fallout would be devastating. Because I knew my brothers would see hiding information from them as a betrayal.
I’d scrape by because I was their sister and they loved me. But Gio? Gio would be up against my sociopathic brothers, and as strong as I now knew he was… I didn’t know if he was that strong.
But for right this moment, I had to keep Gio's involvement a secret, to protect him and myself.
12
TATIANA
The moment my brothers left my apartment, I felt like I could finally breathe. Amara had convinced them to give me some space, and God, was I thankful for that.
Although, I knew their absence wouldn't last long. But for now, it was perfect because, after everything coming to light, I needed to see Gio.
Honestly? Desperation clawed at me, and I couldn't wait any longer. I felt raw and wounded in a way that was all mental and emotional. I had no idea why I thought Gio could help with that. In fact, seeing him would undoubtedly make things worse.
Yet, I was still going to see him.
I paced my room for a good twenty minutes before I gained the courage to actually leave. Because I knew Dmitry and Nikolai had likely left one of their men watching my place, I had to think about how the hell to get out without them knowing.
“This is so damn stupid,” I murmured to myself. But the truth was, this was probably the best time to sneak off. Dmitry and Nikolai were so focused on what I told them that they wouldn’t be obsessed with keeping an eye on me. But I probably only had tonight.
I grabbed a hoodie and pulled it over my head, hoping the disguise would help me slip past whoever was posted outside.
I looked out the peephole and saw the hallway was empty. Quietly, I slipped out of my apartment, moving cautiously. There were only two other apartments on this floor, and since it was so late, the building was eerily silent. And because of that, every creak from my movements echoed down the hall.
I took the stairs instead of my usual exit, avoiding the chance of running into anyone who might be guarding the elevator doors in the lobby.
My heart was thundering when I reached the ground floor. With a steadying breath, I peered through the small window in the stairwell door and saw one of my brothers’ men standing a few feet away, partially concealed by the thick shadows.