Page 93 of Mafia King's Bride

He scurries away like the incompetent rat he is. I run my fingers through my hair, frustration coursing through every fiber of my being. I’m beyond my wits’ end. I passed that point weeks ago.

Three weeks. Three fucking weeks since Ana vanished, and I’m no closer to finding her. I’ve turned over every stone, searched every Bratva house, every company, every goddamn hideout. Now I’m reduced to scrutinizing anyone who’s so much as breathed the same air as me in recent years.

Yesterday, I met with a fewpakhans. One fool had the audacity to suggest Ana might have run away. My fist nearly rearranged his face for him. Let them think I’ve gone insane. I don’t give a fuck. I’ll burn this entire world to the ground if that’s what it takes to find her.

A sharp knock at the door reignites my anger. It better not be Jakob. I gave him explicit instructions to walk in, not waste my time with pleasantries.

“Come in!” I bark.

To my surprise, it’s Viktor, Ana’s half-brother. I’ve been so consumed by my search, I’d almost forgotten about him.

“I’m sorry,” I say, the words tasting unfamiliar on my tongue. “I should have been more vigilant. I promise you, I’ll find her. And they’ll pay. Whoever they are.”

Viktor shakes his head, his expression grave. “That’s not why I came. There’s something I need to tell you, Dmitri. I should have told you a week ago, but I made a promise to Ana.”

The mention of her name sends a jolt through me. My eyes darken, fury bubbling up inside me like molten lava. “Ana?” I practically spit the name. I’m across the room in an instant, my hand fisting in Viktor’s shirt. “Where is she? Tell me now!”

To his credit, Viktor doesn’t flinch. He meets my gaze steadily, his voice calm. “You may need to sit down for this, Dmitri.”

I laugh, a harsh, grating sound. “Sit down? You come here with information about my wife, and you want me to sit down? Start talking, or I swear to God?—”

“It’s not that simple,” Viktor cuts in, gently but firmly removing my hand from his shirt. “Ana’s safe, but there’s more to this than you know. A lot more.”

I take a step back, my mind reeling. Ana’s safe. The relief that floods through me is quickly replaced by a fresh wave of anger.“If she’s safe, then why the hell isn’t she here? What game are you playing?”

Viktor sighs, running a hand through his hair. “No game, Dmitri. Just a very complicated, very fucked up situation. Ana left to protect you. To protect all of us.”

“Protect me?” I scoff. “I don’t need protection. I need my wife back.”

“You do need protection,” Viktor insists, his voice growing stronger. “From Nikolai. From the war he was planning to start.”

The mention of Nikolai’s name makes my blood boil. “What does that backstabbing bastard have to do with this?”

Viktor takes a deep breath. “Everything. He threatened to kill you if Ana didn’t leave. She thought by disappearing, she could keep you safe and prevent a war.”

For a moment, I’m stunned into silence. Then the rage comes, white-hot and all-consuming. “And you’ve known this? You’ve let me tear this city apart, start wars with other Bratvas, and you said nothing?”

“I made a promise to my sister,” Viktor says, standing his ground despite the murderous look in my eyes. “But I can’t keep silent anymore. Not when I see what this is doing to both of you.” He pauses, his jaw clenching. “Besides, I needed time to secure my position.”

That catches my attention. “Your position?”

Viktor nods, his eyes hard. “I’m taking over. Nikolai’s lost his mind, and he’s lost the respect of our people. I’ve been gathering support, making sure I have the backing I need to step in without causing a civil war within our ranks.”

I study him, reassessing. This isn’t just Ana’s protective older brother anymore. This is a man making calculated moves in a dangerous game.

“And now?” I ask, my voice low.

“Now, I’m ready,” Viktor says, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “I have the support I need. Once Ana is safe and you’re done with Nikolai, I’ll step in. We can end this war before it begins, Dmitri. But first, we need to get my sister.”

Rage burns in my chest. That bastard. I knew he was hiding something. As Viktor speaks, my fingernails dig into my palms, drawing blood. In my mind, I’m already wrapping my hands around Nikolai’s neck, watching the life drain from his eyes as he begs for mercy.

He won’t get it. Not after what he’s done.

“Do you need my help?” Viktor asks as we stride down the hallway. “He’ll be expecting you. He’ll have men waiting.”

I turn, a grim smile on my face. “The more, the merrier. I should have ended him months ago when he first crossed me. When he betrayed my father’s memory. This time, I’ll make an example of him. One that no one in our world will ever forget.”

I storm out of my office, Viktor’s revelation fueling my rage. On the way to Nikolai’s office, I alert my men, ordering them to scope out the place for traps. As much as I’d like to put a bullet through Petrov’s head myself, I won’t risk any casualties.

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