Page 72 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

While I came to learn that their word was dangerous, I never thought my husband would be caught at the end of a pistol in the direct line of fire.

I wanted to scream. To let out my anger, frustration, and deep remorse for everything that had happened within the last twenty-four hours.

But that wouldn’t accomplish anything.

I reminded myself to keep my head straight, even if I was ready to break down completely.

“Sergio, stop,” I began, at a complete loss for anything else I could do to help. “I need Yaro alive. I’ll never forgive you if you do this.”

“I believe you have misread me, Grace,” Sergio said, not pulling his stare away from Yaro. “I don’t care what you want. I never gave two shits about your father. I needed that ammunition to finally take matters into my own hands. I never cared about what happened to him, and I sure as hell don’t care about what happens to you.”

While I knew his supposed condolences didn’t feel significant at all before, I at least assumed his previous partnership with my dad would have meant something to him.

I was wrong, it seemed.

With his full attention on Yaro, Sergio continued. “I was burned by the Levovs before, and I’ve been waiting for this day.”

“When?” Yaro muttered, only looking at me like I was his lifeline. “When did we supposedly cross paths with you?”

“Yonkers. ’03. Ring any bells?”

While it sounded like gibberish to me, I watched as that recognition moved through Yaro’s face. He knew immediately.

“The drug trade gone wrong,” he mumbled. “I knew Bruno sounded familiar.”

Sergio’s lips formed a flat line as that anger glazed his eyes. “You weren’t satisfied with the product and wanted to back out, but when we tried to make you honor the deal, you used force instead. You broke my brother’s leg, and he couldn’t get away. He was found with all that product on him, and he was thrown in prison for possession, among other things. Just before they went to let him out, he was hit on the inside. He never made it to his release.”

The anger turned into a deadly combination of fury and devastation in his eyes. “Your family left a bitter taste in my mouth after that day, and I always wanted revenge somehow but never got around to it. Your family has such incredible influence, after all, it was hard to find enough cracks. With time, that desire to get even faded, and I was perfectly fine with letting it rest until Dominic came crawling to me. He went on about how he had to sacrifice his daughter at the mercy of the Levovs. Hearing your name was enough to bring back that fire in me. I decided enough was enough.”

Yaro’s jaw clenched. “You had your inexperienced son take the reins for you then?”

Sergio’s anger turned into bitter amusement. “Pietro already thought the Brunos were going to be the next Levovs, and he was going to make it happen himself. It didn’t take much convincing on my end.”

With his head hung and his hands in the air still, he looked defeated by his father’s words.

“And what, you plan on killing me for something you were willing to let slide? Did you think you were doing Dominic a service by trudging up the past?”

Sergio smirked, feeling far too confident from his position. “It was on my list.”

I couldn’t stand the certainty in his eyes, assuming he could pull a fast one on Yaro and get away with it.

The very thought of him even attempting to take him from me was enough to make my entire body ring with urgency. I wouldn’t let him get the chance.

Trembling with fear and anger, I reached for the gun Pietro dropped and pulled the safety as I aimed it at him. I pressed it against his brown hair and threw Sergio a look made of all my fury.

He seemed surprised by the change.

“Let Yaro go, or I’ll shoot Pietro!” I yelled at him, finger already on the trigger.

I had never shot anyone before, and I certainly never thought I’d be in that position. But the situation was dire enough, and I wasn’t prepared to let any of the Brunos walk away with my husband’s blood on their hands.

Grateful for my practice with Yaro, I was confident enough to handle that weapon. To know I could be of use.

While Sergio did seem caught off-guard, what little fear he had simmered away. He didn’t pull his gun away from Yaro’s head. He simply sighed. “The kid is cannon fodder. Do what you want to him, the spineless bastard already failed me. I’m cleaning up his mess anyway.”

His words shook me down to my core, in complete disbelief that he thought so little of his son. The one he influenced to take up the lead position in trying to bring down the family.

It was difficult to stomach.

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