Page 67 of All the Dangerous Things

Although he bared his soul, Gio’s expression was apathetic, like he hadn't just confessed to us his trauma.

“I fucking like it. You understand, sisters?” His voice was hard and sharp as he addressed Claudia and Amara.

I looked between the two women, who both sported the same expression.

Terror that their brother had gone through what he did and now had to deal with the aftermath in his own—albeit twisted—way of healing. And also… love. They loved their brother as much as I loved mine.

“And fighting… it helps me unleash all that hate I have inside me. It’ll never go away. So I fucking embrace it.” He held his hands out, palms up, as he stared at the women. “These hands have killedmanypeople. They’ve been covered in blood, helped bury bodies, and tortured people… even some who didn’t deserve it.” He glanced my way then.

I could see his sisters looked nauseous, knowing this was the last thing they wanted to hear, but they let Gio get this off his chest.

He wanted them to know. He needed them to hear every word because it was a weight that was finally being lifted from him.

“Fighting has been my dark, messed-up therapy for a long time. But I feel relieved that both of you finally know what I do.” He ran a hand over hissweaty, bloody face. “And I won’t lie and say I didn’t fight in Desolation because I wanted to be closer to my sisters. With both of you so far away, it was fucking hard on me.” Although he addressed them, he looked at me then, as if he didn’t care if anyone in this room picked up on his hidden, underlying meaning.

He wanted to be closer to me now, too.

Claudia was the first to make a move. She walked toward Gio and threw her arms around his waist. She rested her forehead on the center of his chest and murmured how much she loved him.

“You’re so strong,” she whispered but loud enough I heard. “You’ve always been so strong for us because you were the best big brother anyone could ask for.”

She was openly crying, and I could see it was doing a number on Dmitry. My brother wanted to go to his wife, but he gave her this moment with her brother.

“You were a good son, and I’m sorry Father and Mother never saw that. I’m sorry they hurt you. I’ll never leave your side.”

Amara went over and wrapped her arms around Gio from his side. It took every ounce of my strength to stay put and not do the same. I glanced at mybrothers, and thankfully, they were too focused on their wives to see the love I had for my Italian fighter that was no doubt clearly displayed in my expression.

“I love you,fratellone. We’re family, and we love you. You’re not alone.”

I held back my tears as Claudia said those words to Gio.

She and Amara pulled away, and Gio cupped one of Claudia’s cheeks and did the same to Amara with his other hand. The corner of his mouth lifted in a small, painful smile. “La mia famiglia.”My family.

And then he lifted his head and looked right at me, his stare hard and clear, and one that my brothers most certainly saw, if the pressure increasing in the room was anything to go by.

La mia famiglia, Gio,I thought.You’re my family now, too.

27

TATIANA

Ifound myself back at Butcher and Son an hour after I left with my brothers.

With my guards thinking I was tucked away in bed, I had all night to do anything and everything I wanted withhim.

I pushed through the thinning crowd. A few groups still lingered to watch the remaining fights, but most left after the main event with D’yavol.

It was reckless to come here alone, where danger lurked in every shadow, especially after what happened last time. But I couldn’t stay away from him. Despite my fear, I felt an unfamiliar strength settle over me, empowering me in a way I couldn’t explain.

I wasn’t hiding who I was. Anyone in thisbasement could see my face and instantly know I was the sister of the infamous Petrov brothers, rulers of the Bratva in Desolation. They knew crossing me was a death sentence.

But the man who hurt me before knew exactly who I was, who my brothers were, and he still didn’t care.

I forced those thoughts away. I didn’t have time for fear or logic. All that mattered was being with Gio. And even though this place had haunted me, I felt different today. I felt strong.

I placed a hand on my belly and felt a flutter of my nerves.

I still hadn’t told Gio—or anyone, for that matter—about the pregnancy. I didn't know when I would, but I was certain I had to do it sooner rather than later.

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