Page 101 of The Councilor

With my hand still in position, his face smashed into the wall, I turned my head to study her in the ugly streetlight. She looked so pale, fragile enough all I wanted to do was wrap my arms around her. It was ridiculous to waste any additional time. I had far more important things to do.

I yanked out my weapon, sticking the barrel along the back of his neck aiming toward his skull.

And I fired two shots.

Seconds later, I let go, enjoying the sound of his body dropping to the cracked asphalt. Right now, all I wanted to do was togather her in my arms, telling her everything was going to be okay.

That’s exactly what I did, the overwhelming need for her sweeping through me like a ton of bricks.

“You saved me,” she whispered.

“I told you I’d burn down the city if necessary.”

In the next several minutes, I fisted her hair gently, pulling her head back enough so I could crush my mouth over hers. She was shaking in my arms, moaning into the kiss, but it was the best one yet.

In the background, my two Capos stood with their backs against the SUV they’d followed me in, their arms crossed.

And smiles on their faces.

For the first time in as long as I could remember, I truly respected my position within the Bratva, the respect I’d earned and the power I wielded.

It was time to take full control of my position.

Past time.

No one would ever hurt the woman I was falling in love with again.

If anyone tried, they would die.

CHAPTER 27

Raphaella

Life could change on a dime.

I’d truly embraced that thought during the last three weeks, which had gone by in a blur. There’d been no police involvement, no chaos in the media. Aleksander’s cleanup crew, which I’d learned was a normal part of any mafia organization, had handled the body, dumping it God knew where. I knew there had to be more in his effort to hunt me down, but I hadn’t asked and he hadn’t told me.

I’d seen him kill the man. I’d watched him beat the guy nearly to death and it hadn’t bothered me.

In the least.

Maybe I was coming to terms with the fact I was now a mafia leader’s wife.

Still, so many people had died, including the girl at the office who’d threatened me. She’d wound up floating in watersomewhere. I shuddered at the thought of how fragile life was, especially inside the mafia. But hey, anyone could be killed crossing the street. Right?

A tiny laugh bubbled to the surface as I felt my rings, spinning them back and forth on my finger. We’d opted against a huge wedding, partially because I hadn’t cared to see my parents. I’d relented at the last minute but had ignored them during and after the ceremony.

It had been beautiful, held on his estate, the man sparing no expense to ensure I had a beautiful day. It had been perfect weather, barely a cloud in the sky. Both Jackie and Angie had been there, Vadim and his wife Caroline as well as Ivan and Kristoff. And he’d gotten to meet my brother and sister.

I found it interesting a wedding could be so very emotional, even to the big burly man who’d killed dozens of people.

I’d tried not to think about the shooting at the house in Brighton Beach or the kidnapping, including being tied to a musty metal cot inside a darkened room. I’d had nightmares for days, including ones about the horrible things Jericho had said to me.

I hadn’t been able to repeat those either, doing my best to push the past aside. I’d been worried it would be tougher than I realized but as I sat beside my man, my husband, I was filled with joy.

Even if I was blindfolded.

“Where are we?” I asked, trying to grab a sneak peek underneath the material mask.

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