Page 92 of Mafia King's Bride

Viktor’s eyes darken, and I can see the barely contained rage as he recounts his confrontation with our father. “I went to his office, ready to tear him a new one. I couldn’t believe he could be so callous about his own daughter.”

He paces as he talks,all coiled energy and righteous anger. “He tried lying at first, but I saw right through him. It didn’t take long before he cracked and told me where you were.”

I nod, fresh tears threatening to spill. “Do you think Dmitri knows?”

Viktor pauses, considering. “Hard to say. Nikolai’s probably still playing the concerned father act. But Dmitri’s no fool. He might be biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike.”

As I watch my brother, so strong and protective, I’m hit with a wave of gratitude. No matter how messed up things are, at least I have Viktor in my corner. And for the first time in weeks, I feel a tiny flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we can figure this out together.

I can’t help but notice how Viktor now refers to our father only as “Nikolai,” his voice as cold as a Siberian winter. It’s like he’s mentally disowned the man. I wonder if their relationship is as irreparably broken as mine is with dear old Papa.

“You have to come back,” Viktor insists, his eyes a mix of determination and concern.

“I can’t,” I sob, shaking my head. “Papa swore he’d kill Dmitri if I went back!”

Viktor snorts, looking at me like I’ve just told him the earth is flat. “Come on, Ana. You really think that man has any power over Dmitri? Your husband would end him without breaking a sweat.”

I clutch at Viktor’s arm, desperation making my voice shrill. “But what about you? Papa thinks you’re still on his side. Dmitri will think you’ve betrayed him too!”

Gently, he pries my fingers loose, his gaze steady and reassuring. “Not if I tell him everything. Dmitri’s not unreasonable. He’ll understand once he knows the truth.”

Viktor’s face darkens as he continues, “Nikolai blames everyone but himself. I’ve never seen him like that before. He’s...he’s not the man we thought he was, Ana. When he realized I could expose him, he actually tried to threaten me.”

I sit back, feeling like I’ve been sucker-punched. I thought I couldn’t hate our father more than I already did, but apparently, I was wrong. God, I wish I’d never tried to save him in the first place.

“Please, don’t tell Dmitri,” I beg, my voice barely above a whisper. “Even if he kills Papa, the Bratva will retaliate. It’ll be a bloodbath. Let me try to fix this mess.”

Viktor runs his fingers through his hair, a gesture so familiar it makes my heart ache. “It’s killing me, but...okay. I’ll keep quiet for now. But Ana, Dmitri’s tearing the city apart looking for you.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, relief and guilt warring inside me.

He sits beside me again, and I lean my head on his shoulder, suddenly exhausted. As I sigh deeply, my hand unconsciously brushes over my stomach. Oh, Dmitri, if only you knew…

I must have dozed off because the next thing I know, Viktor’s gently shaking me awake. The sun’s setting, painting the room in shades of orange and pink. He’s draped a blanket over me, and for a moment, I feel like a kid again, safe under my big brother’s protection.

“I should go,” he says softly, and I nod, not trusting my voice.

We walk to the door in silence. I’m blinking back tears, determined not to break down again. Not yet.

Viktor pauses in the doorway, his eyes searching mine. “See you later, sis,” he says, squeezing my arm gently. I manage a nod, and then he’s gone.

The moment the door clicks shut, it’s like a dam bursts. My legs give out, and I crumple to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. All the pain, the fear, the loss—it all comes pouring out in great, heaving waves.

By the time the tears finally stop, night has fallen. I drag myself to bed, curling up into a tight ball, willing sleep to come and take me away from all of this.

As I drift off, my last coherent thought is of Dmitri. I hope wherever he is, whatever he’s doing, he’s okay.

THIRTY-SIX

DMITRI

My fist connects with the table, the impact reverberating through the wood. Another dent to add to the collection. Fitting, given the state of my patience.

“Why the fuck would you fail? I gave you a simple task!” I snarl at Kirill, my voice dripping with barely contained rage.

“I’m sorry,” Kirill mumbles, his head bowed like a scolded dog. “I’ll send them again. I promise I’ll find her this time around.”

I let out a dark chuckle, the sound devoid of any humor. “Oh, if you don’t, your head will hang above my door for everyone to see. Get out.”

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