Page 75 of Forced Bratva Bride

Fyodor turns to me. “Alright, Maxim, what do you want to do? This should be your decision. I understand what's at stake here for you. It isn’t just business. It's a lot more than that. We will support whatever you choose.”

I tap my knife against the edge of my plate, trying to figure out what Chiara might have planned. What would she do, in this situation? What can I do to help her with whatever she is plotting?

After a while, I run my hand over my jaw. “I want to throw another party, for our allies. We invite all of them. Including Angelo. He is under the assumption that we don’t know any of this.” I wave the letter to emphasize what I'm talking about. “We play along as though we are still trying to figure out what's going on, and we host another party.”

“It’s a risk to have everyone together like that right now, don’t you think?”

“It’s a risk we have to take,” I reply, sticking to my decision. My main focus here is to keep Chiara safe. I have to play this fucked up game in such a way that she comes out unharmed. I have never taken the lead on a project like this. My brothers handle these types of issues when they pop up with our rivals, but this is mine to handle. This is my wife.

My brothers are in agreement, and I am about to tell everyone it's time for me to head home, but my phone rings loudly in my pocket.

I glance at the screen, then hold it up for everyone to see. It's Chiara.

My heart twists in my chest as I slide to answer the call, putting it on loud speaker. The entire room falls deathly quiet.

“Chiara, my love, I have been so worried. Where are you?”

“Maxim, I’m totally fine. I’m here with my dad. I am so lucky he was nearby. I went to meet with that client, and there was an explosion. My father saved me.”

My insides twist as I maintain my composure.

“Were you hurt? Thank goodness your dad was there. Should I come fetch you?”

“I wasn’t hurt, luckily. But, Maxim, I did get a big fright, and it made me realize how much I just need to spend time with my father right now. I just need to feel safe, and being here at home with him, it helps me feel safe.”

I take a quiet, deep breath.

“I-I understand, Chiara, but I do miss you. And if you change your mind, just let me know, and I will come and get you, any time. But I know your father means the world to you, so if you need to spend some time with him, I understand that.”

“Thank you, Maxim. I knew you would. My father sends his regards.”

“Please, tell him that I am so glad he was there to help you.”

There is a moment's pause on the phone, and I can sense Chiara not wanting to say goodbye, but we both know other people are listening.

“I’ll call you soon to check in, okay?” I finally say.

“Alright. I'm safe here, and I am okay. That’s all I wanted to really let you know.”

“I appreciate that,” I say.

We say goodnight to each other, and I hang up the phone. Everyone at the dinner table is watching me closely. “Let’s plan that party. Make it soon,” I say, standing up. “I’m heading home.”

Chapter 24 - Chiara

When Maxim sent my father an invitation to a party being hosted by his brother, Paval, I see how he gloats over it.

“What do you think it’s about?” I ask, wanting to find out his thoughts.

“I think they know they are losing allies and trying desperately to regain their footing and status. They don’t realize how deep in shit they are yet. Those two dead allies from the bomb set off at a meeting they arranged and then didn’t arrive at—it makes them look really bad. I assume they want to try and connect with everyone and appease this restlessness that is circling everyone.”

“Do you think they know about the evidence that was planted at the scene of the explosion?”

“No, but I have made sure to spread the word amongst my people. So it’s out there. People are talking about it. Their name is being dragged through the dirt.”

“Alright, so we're going to the party to pretend to support their cause then?”

“Yes, we are, and to do something else.”

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