Page 46 of The Bratva's Auctioned Bride

“I can tell this wasn’t made by a Canadian…”

She tried to conceal her laughter at that as she ate her own. “How do you know, aside from the fact that we aren’t currently in Canada?”

“They used shredded cheese instead of cheese curds…it’s a whole other experience,” I murmured, disappointed by the lack of authenticity. “And the gravy… it's missing something. Two very integral parts...squandered.”

Not even attempting to have any sympathy, Lara laughed at my complaints as we walked.

I scoffed, lacking any real irritation. “I’m glad I could entertain you with my misery.”

“Oh, come on,” she murmured through her hushed amusement. “It’s really not that bad. Honestly, I think it’s pretty good. I’ll give you northerners that.”

Dropping my exaggerated dismay, I grinned. “While I’m glad you approve, trust me, it’s better than this. One day, we’ll have some that’s up to my standards.”

Enjoying the idea, Lara smiled. “I’ll hold you to it, then.”

Despite the lackluster poutine, we continued eating and walking around the festival with our spirits light and at ease. Even if it wasn’t my usual scene, it had been a nice day, and I was enjoying myself even more than I thought I would.

Of course, I chalked most of that up to simply being around Lara. She seemed to just have that effect on me, and I wasn’t complaining.

As the band played nearby on a stage in the middle of the event, the two of us slowly made our way over as we listened intently. From what we could tell, they were a local band, and while I didn’t pay much attention to that kind of thing, I found myself appreciating it anyway.

It was nice, and having Lara there with me made it even better.

My brows furrowed as I heard a commotion to my right, followed by the squeal of tires and a round of shouting. Looking over, it took only a glance before it clicked in my head, and I grabbed Lara the moment I spotted those blacked-out vehicles and men rolling out.

The music halted as several attendees screamed, and the clatter of muffled gunfire rang out through the park.

Within seconds, it was pure chaos. Immediately, people scattered, running to get away from the line of fire. Parents picked up their children and hurried away, scrambling through the crowd of people. They left from every direction of the park as security took action, only to be rained upon with bullets.

From within my grasp, Lara was wide-eyed and terrified as I made her crouch while we navigated through the rush of people, sure to keep myself between her and the guns.

“Keep moving…don’t look behind you,” I rushed to tell her, using the stands to our advantage while we tried to get away from the heat of it all.

Despite her fear, she nodded and kept going, following my lead as the chaos ensued around us. Glancing over one of the stands, I noticed some of them approaching, rushing in with their guns raised.

“Get down!” I shouted at her, pulling my pistol out from my waistband as I fired back at them.

With her arms covering her head from behind me and the solid stand, Lara did as I said, letting out shaken breaths.

All the while, I aimed at them, managing to sink several bullets into the open spaces between their protective gear, not even bothering to shoot at their chests. I knew better than to think they didn’t have vests on underneath.

Taking three of them down while the others dealt with the police, I put an arm around Lara’s waist and ushered her out of there.

It didn’t matter how long I had to run, or what I had to do to protect her, I wasn’t going to let anything happen to Lara. There was no way I’d lose her like that.

Still shielding her body with mine, I managed to get us away from the park just as more police units showed up, either taking out the remaining assailants on the scene or chasing down the ones that peeled away in their blacked-out vehicles.

As I led Lara to safety, I felt fury moving through my system. Silently, I couldn’t help but curse the Gromovs for everything. For trying to ruin every good thing I had in my life.

For never giving me a moment's peace, and doing everything in their power to leech my happiness for themselves.

Chapter 24 - Lara

Even after we were away from the chaos and the police were on the scene, I couldn't calm my shaking.

Regardless of having brothers and a husband immersed in the organized crime world, I had never experienced a situation like that before. I never had my life flash before my eyes so suddenly, aware that it would only take one bullet it kill me or Alex.

While guns were a common sight in this country, that was the first time I ever had one threaten me firsthand, and my mind was struggling to come to terms with it.

---