Page 80 of The Bratva King's Claimed Bride

“The idiot,” I breathe. Suddenly, I don’t feel sluggish and hungover. “If the Milovs find out, he’s a dead man. Where did he go? Where does he think he’ll meet her?”

“I don’t know,” Yvonne trips over her words. “That’s all he told me, I swear.”

“Track his phone. I’ll call Alfie to get the car ready.” I pick up my phone and dial Alfie’s number while Yvonne hurries to my computer and starts logging into the tracker.

“Alfie,” I say when he answers, “I need you to get the car ready. Matvey is in trouble.”

“Yes, sir,” he says before he hangs up.

“Come on, Yvonne.” I lean over her. “Where is he?”

“It’s searching,” she says, clearly distressed. The computer pings, and she clicks on the results. “Zeek’s, it’s a restaurant…”

“I know where it is,” I say. “Stay here. Stay safe. Don’t do anything stupid. I’m going to go get him.”

Before she can say anything, I run out, down the five flights of stairs and out the lobby, much to the bewildered looks of various staff members and guests.

I hurry outside and get into the passenger side of the vehicle. “Get me to Zeek’s pronto.”

“Yes, sir,” Alfie says before putting the pedal to the metal and spinning off. We ignore most traffic lights and stop signs as we dash through the city. My stupid brother, what is he thinking? He’s always rash and impulsive.

“When we get there,” I say, taking my gun from my holster and checking it’s loaded with the safety off. I want you to stay outside unless I call you.” I holster the gun again.

“Are you sure? I can provide backup,” Alfie says.

“That is providing backup,” I say as we take a corner a little too fast and slide out. People honk at us, but Alfie doesn’t pay them any heed. Fifteen minutes later, we are outside Zeek’s.

I get out and walk briskly to the front door. I step inside, and the smell of Italian food hits me like a ton of bricks. I look around, but it takes a while for my eyes to adjust to the new lighting.

“Can I get you a seat, sir?” the hostess asks.

“No, I’m looking for some…”

I see them. All four brothers are walking toward the kitchen, and between them, I notice Matvey with his back against the wall. Luka is ahead of the other three, but they’re clearly there as a threat. I walk past the hostess and through the restaurant as silently as I can. I don’t want to draw their attention.

I’m a few yards away when someone yells from the left, “Kervyn, behind you.”

Kervvyn swings around, and I’m acutely aware of how silent the restaurant has gotten.

I hold my hands up as Danil and Arseny turn to look at me, as well. Faces of men I have hated all my life.

I glance at the loudmouth who shouted and see it’s the redhead, Kervyn’s wife, if I’m not mistaken. Behind her, I see Arina, and my heart sinks in my chest. I quickly look back at the brothers, though I’m tempted to keep looking at Arina.

“I’ve come for Matvey, that’s all,” I say. “I don’t want to start any trouble where these patrons can get hurt.”

“Your brother tried to kidnap our sister again, Igor. Perhaps we weren’t clear about how we felt about that the last time we met.”

“He was just doing what he thought was best.” I watch Kervyn closely. Luka takes another step toward Matvey, and I draw my gun. Kervyn draws his at the same time, and some people cry out. The staff quickly make their way to them to calm them down.

“This doesn’t have to be bloody,” I say quietly. “Just give me my brother.”

“He’ll just try to ambush Arina again. A lesson needs to be learned here,” Kervyn says. “We are not the family you fuck with. I thought you would have learned that in Russia.”

I glare at him and put my finger on the trigger.

“Igor, no.” Suddenly, Arina is standing in front of me. She must have pulled herself away from the girls holding her back.

“Arina, come back,” the redhead says.

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