Page 27 of All the Dangerous Things

“And then someone came and saved me. He… he killed the man who hurt me.” My voice faltered as I felt tears stream down my face before I knew I was even crying.

She pulled me into a gentle embrace, holding me close as she ran her hand up and down my back. I was sobbing now, these uncontrollable sobs that came out of nowhere and ones I couldn’t stop.

I couldn't hear what she said, but I knew she murmured words of comfort until I calmed.

“It's okay, Tatiana,” Amara whispered. “You’re safe now. He can't hurt you anymore.” She sounded choked up.

I thought of this woman as my sister, bound by blood and not just by marriage.

After a few moments, I pulled back, wiping my tears with the sleeve of my sweater, and gave her a sloppy smile.

“Do you know the man who helped you?”

I looked away, hoping she couldn’t tell I was lying like my brothers always did. “No. It was dark, and he wore a mask. I passed out, and when I woke up, I was alone. That’s when I came back home.”

Amara stared at me, and I could practically hear her thoughts. She knew I was lying. But, thank God, she didn’t press me for where I was after the assault… as in the apartment inside the warehouse-looking place my brothers had been en route to right before I hauled ass out of there.

It was clear Gio’s name wasn’t associated with that building because, if so, my brothers would have known already. My brothers had access to any information they wanted, so them not finding out about Gio’s involvement meant the Italian mafia boss had covered his tracks.

“Your brothers need to hear all of this,” Amara finally said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah.” I swallowed. “I know.”

The men were fiercely protective, and this news would undoubtedly ignite their anger and desire for retaliation for someone hurting me and going against the Petrovs.

Amara pulled her shoulders back and tipped her chin up. “I’ll be with you.” Her voice was firm. “When you're ready to tell them, I’ll be right there by your side.”

“Yeah,” I whispered again. I knew this was just the beginning of an endless road, one that I was sure would be messy as hell.

“Now, I guess it’s time I tell Dmitry and Nikolai.”

That should have been the only thing I was worried about—thinking about—but the thoughts and images in the forefront of my mind had to do with one thing only.

When I’d see Gio again.

11

TATIANA

Isat on the edge of my bed, my hands clasped tightly in my lap.

God, why did the room feel so small with my brothers in here?

They stood a few feet in front of me, their expressions hard and unyielding. I took a deep breath because, dammit, I felt the weight of their concern and anger.

“Start from the beginning and tell us everything,” Dmitry said, his voice low and controlled, although his rage was undeniable.

I nodded because, truthfully, I knew this time had been coming. Better to get it done and over with.

I recapped everything, telling them the samestory I told Amara. It was all the truth… aside from the part where I withheld Gio’s identity.

Nikolai's jaw was clenched as he listened silently. I noticed he kept his distance, leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed and his head cast low.

I could only imagine what he was thinking about.

All the ways he’d retaliate.

When I paused, in the middle of the part where that fucker’s hand wrapped around my throat, I felt the chill in the room intensify.

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