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)
Nikolai laughed. “Fucker, we don’t follow orders. We give them.”
I had the urge to roll my eyes like I was an adolescent.
We all had to follow orders. The Petrovs were powerful, but there was always someone above everyone.
I couldn’t tell them everything—couldn’t reveal I had my own issues with the Cosa Nostra, that I was sure Carmine was doing rogue shit. I couldn’t drag the leader of Italy into it, at least not yet. I needed to wait and see how this played out first.
“And because of those orders, I did what needed to be done.”
Dmitry’s jaw tightened. It was clear he wanted more information from me. “Orders from who?”
I smirked at him and didn’t break eye contact. “Come on, motherfucker. Like I’m going to give you more than I have to.” I shrugged. “You know how this works.”
Nikolai scoffed, shaking his head. “The arrogance of this fucker. Pretty wild you think that you get to take out our men on our territory, and we’re just supposed to accept it?”
The room fell into a heavier silence. My mind raced with the immediate issue, but the more I thought about Carmine, the more it settled that I was in this shit because of him and his directive.
The Head of Italy—who I was supposed to trust above all else because he was famiglia—was keeping things from me. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that Carmine was playing a game… that he was playing me… in order to better his own position.
He was putting everything and everyone at risk. I had to find out what the fuck was going on. Although I knew I could dig and find this shit out for myself, I knew having the Bratva on my side could help expedite that.
Hell, if he was using me, using the Cosa Nostra as pawns, I needed to know. I needed to find out as soon as possible before anything else happened.
I was about to bring up the Carmine situation with the Petrovs when Dmitry’s deep voice cut through my thoughts.
“And what about Tatiana?” he asked low, with obvious hints of brotherly protection woven in his tone.
I felt my own protectiveness over my girl rise. “What about her?” I growled, matching his aggression.
If they even try to start any bullshit about me not keeping her as mine, I’ll have to break my promise to Tatiana that I won’t kill them.
“You got her pregnant.” Nikolai's voice was a mixture of royally pissed off and slightly disgusted at the idea that I’d knocked up his sister.
I felt male pride and possessiveness over it.
I clenched my jaw but didn’t have time to respond before they were talking again.
“What’s your plan?”
I counted to ten and ran my hand over my jaw, trying to grapple with my anger issues where the Petrov bastards were concerned.
“She’s mine,” I stated matter-of-factly. “And I'm not letting her go.” I leaned forward, clasped my hands together, and stared them in the eyes. “She’ll be my wife, and I’ll protect her and our baby with my life.”
Nikolai exchanged a glance with his brother, their unspoken communication clear. They were worried about their sister. I knew they were also worried about what this meant in the long run—not just for her world but for all of ours.
“Listen,” I said, putting myself in their situation because I’d been in their shoes. Twice. “I know how you feel. I’ve had to deal with the same shit you two are feeling right now… with your wives.” I cocked an eyebrow when they didn’t respond. “Seeing my sisters married off to you two dangerous fuckers was hard to accept, but I went with my gut and watched how you treated them.” I leaned back in the booth, glancing between them when I told each of them individually, “And I knew you cared about Amara, and you cared about Claudia. I knew both of you would kill to protect them. You’d die to keep them safe.”
They leaned back, and I felt some of the tension and their animosity fade as my words hung between us.
“That’s how I feel about Tatiana, your sister. She’s mine forever, capisci?”
After a long moment of silence, they let out identical exhales, as if what I said was good enough… for the time being.
“Good. That's what we wanted to hear,” Dmitry said. “Now, back to business.” He sat up in his chair, and I switched gears and focused on the ugly and gritty part of my world. “There’s some shit we want to talk about. Shit that’ll affect not only us but you and yours as well.”
I was all ears now, focused on what needed to be done.
“We’ve learned about a new threat.”
Instantly, I was on the offense, and my mind immediately thought of Carmine. “What kind of new threat?”
Dmitry didn't speak right away. He gestured for another round of drinks, and once we were left alone again, Nikolai was the one to start talking.