Page 45 of Secret Bratva Twins

Giselle reached out, taking my hand in hers. “We're here for you, Gianna,” she said softly. “No matter what happens, we'll face it together. That’s what family does for each other.”

Just then, Maxim entered the room. His expression was grave, but it softened when his eyes met mine. “It's time,” he said, his voice cutting through the tension in the air. Are you sure you can do this?”

I nodded. The last thing I wanted was to hear my father’s disgusting voice, but I was ready to do it if it helped to save my children. “I’m ready.”

Damien stepped inside and handed Maxim a burner phone. Maxim gave it to me. “You can call him now.”

I dialed my father’s. My heart nearly exploded from my chest each time it rang. I felt sick when he finally answered.

He was silent, waiting for me, the person on the other end of the line, to speak first.

“Paul, it’s me.” I couldn’t bring myself to call him Papa, not after everything he has done. I’d be dead before I call him that again. “I’m sure you know who it is.”

“Gianna?” He laughed. “I’m your father, you cannot call me by my—“

“You’re not my father,” I yelled, cutting him off before he could finish whatever trash he was going to say. “You’re a monster. A father does not hurt his own child. You sent me here knowing I could die, yet you didn’t care. You’ve taken my children from me.”

There was a long pause. “I did what I had to.”

“You did what would benefit you. Use me to kill Maxim, or use Maxim to kill me. Either way, you’d benefit from it. If I was dead, you’ll make my sons your heir. If Max died, you would attack his brothers when they’re vulnerable and take over Chicago.”

“He killed your mother, Gianna.”

The lies. Nothing hurt more than the lies he spat on whenever he opened his mouth. My heart was heavy with sadness, how could I share the same blood with someone like him? “Maxim did not kill my mother. You know who did it, and you’re covering for them. What reason do you hate to do that? She was your wife.”

“Did you call me to place blame on me?” he asked, ignoring the pain in my voice. Ignoring that, I was pouring my heart out for the first time in years. I’d expected as much from him. Still, it hurt to know that was who he was. Even the devil could muster more emotions than he could.

“You have two days to return my children.” I grit my teeth, anger overtaking the sadness. “Two fucking days before we tear your home down and destroy everything you’ve worked for.”

“You’re not in the position to threaten me, Gianna,” he drawled. “Even as we speak, I could kill your children if I want. The negotiation I’m willing to take up is a life for a life. Bring one of the brothers to me, and I’ll return your sons.”

He hung up before I could say anything else.

I hadn’t realized I’d been crying before Maxim wrapped his arm around me and wiped the tears off my face. He took the burner phone from me and passed it to Damien. “You did well, Gianna.”

I pushed away from his embrace. “Do you think he fell for it?”

“Seeing as he hung up on you, I’d say he fell for it.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “There’s still so much to do. You need to rest, and I’ll wake you up when we leave.”

I gave him a steely look, confused by the sentence. “What do you mean? I’m coming along.”

“No, you’re not,” he said sternly. “It’s going to be dangerous. I don’t know how things will turn out, but I’m not losing you too.”

I wasn’t a fucking coward. There was no way I’d sit inside, drinking coffee and waiting while others sacrificed their lives for my children. “I don’t care what happens to me, Maxim. They’re as much of my children as they are yours; if you’re going out there to fight them, I’m coming along. I know how to shoot a gun, and I can fight too.”

“When was the last time you shot a gun?”

I racked my brain. It had been years, almost a decade. My father stopped my fighting classes as soon as my hacking skills had grown enough to benefit him. “I didn’t keep count.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but Sergey walked in and said, “Let her come.”

Maxim frowned at his brother. “She’s going to get hurt.”

“She’s the kids’ mother. If she wants to come, then she has every right to. All we have to do is protect her.” Sergey came closer, towering over me. “You’re free to come if you want to.”

Rage flashed in Maxim’s eyes. “Sergey, you can’t possibly allow her to come. You’ll not only be putting her in harm’s way, she’ll become a liability.”

“My word is final, Maxim,” Sergey replied, already striding out of the living area. “You two need to get in here.”

---