Page 43 of The Bratva's Auctioned Bride

More anger flared within me, and I shoved it down as I answered tensely, “One who can’t control every outside force. Even the best kingpins can’t avoid every hit.”

Ari hummed, but it lacked any sort of pleasure or interest. Instead, there was a hint of amused contempt. “True enough…we’ve all had our blunders. But that near-loss must have shaken your confidence slightly, right? I bet it’s making you question your capabilities.”

Swallowing back my rage, feeling scrutinized, I muttered through the phone, “What is this call really about?”

Ari took a beat before he spoke, tone serious. “This is about you walking a fine line, and whether you can truly protect Lara like you claim you can. I can’t help but wonder if you even have what it takes to be in this business at all.”

“One sideways deal isn’t indicative of anything,” I snap back, unable to fully temper my anger. He was pushing and getting in my head, but I couldn’t let him sway me. It was what he wanted, but I wasn’t going to give in to it. “I handled it, as I handle everything else. Lara is at home safe, and as far away from any of this as possible.”

“That might be true now, but what happens when someone decides to use her against you? When you slip up, and my sister suddenly becomes blackmail?” Ari questioned, tone biting.

I ground my teeth again, standing my ground. “It won’t happen.”

Ari forced out a breath then, and I could hear the reluctance in it. “I sure as hell hope you mean it, Novikov. If anything happens to my sister, you’ll wish you were in hell instead of enduring what I’d do to you.”

Taking a discreet breath, I tried my hardest to push down just how agitated he was making me. I had to think of Lara and what I promised her. I was vying for peace and a genuine alliance, and I couldn't make things worse just because Ari knew how to get under my skin far more efficiently than I cared for.

“By the way,” Ari mumbled, cutting through that momentary silence between us. “I also called because those damn Gromovs tried to hit our business. We took care of it quicker than you did, but I won’t stand for this. Since they are your hangers-on, I expect you to handle this situation before we accrue any more damages. Maybe then I’ll reconsider my opinion of you. Got it?”

I clenched my fist to hold in what I truly wanted to say, enraged that the Gromovs were pushing from every side, but I nodded to myself. “Fine. They’ll be handled.”

A note of satisfaction accompanied his words. “Good. I’m looking forward to seeing what you cook up. Remember, I’m watching. Even when you think I’m not, I have my eye on you. Make sure my sister is your utmost priority.”

Before I could say anything else, the call dropped, and I sighed, using everything in my power to not crush the phone in my hand.

I cursed to myself as I stood there, looking out across the water as anger coursed through me. As much as I didn’t want to read too deeply into any of Ari’s threatening words, I couldn’t put aside that nagging feeling in my gut, wondering if he had a point.

Guilt made my chest feel heavy again at the thought of bringing Lara into everything. Even if she was at home and safe under my protection, I couldn’t guarantee anything. There would always be enemies, and always someone looking to get theupper hand over me. At any given point, someone I cared about the most could be taken away and used as leverage.

I hated even thinking about it. And I hated that Ari wasn’t entirely wrong.

Chapter 22 - Lara

As the city moved by me while the driver hauled me across the city, I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

For the first time since I married Alex, I was going out on my own like I used to, dressed in a cute outfit I meticulously picked out the night before, and I was meeting up with Gemma and her old coworker-turned-employee.

When she launched her own company, Gemma had hired Sky, and they became closer friends outside of work. She claimed that they were much closer than before, and she’d make a great addition to our girls' day.

I didn’t mind at all, since I was mostly just happy to get out of the house and see Gemma again after so long, and I had met Sky before. She seemed like a nice enough girl, and I knew it wouldn’t have any effect on the day for me.

Even if only a short time had gone by, a lot had changed since the last time I met up with her, and for some reason, it brought me the faintest hint of apprehension.

I was just anxious about her seeing me differently since I got with Alex. Before, I had a certain air about me that she surely got used to, and I didn’t want her to think I changed. In a way, being with him did change some of my perspectives, but I was still determined to be myself regardless of the situation. I just hoped it would come off the same as before.

Eventually, the vehicle pulled up to the mall, and I found those doubts slipping away the moment I found the two of them waiting outside their own vehicle. As soon as I could, I slipped out of the SUV and turned to them, smiling brightly.

Immediately, they both lit up, and Gemma pulled an exaggerated frown as if fighting back emotion before sheimmediately pulled me in for a hug. “Lara! It’s so nice to see you.”

“I’m so glad we could meet up,” I said with a big grin, feeling giddy as I embraced them both, finding comfort in being near them again. “Even if it hasn’t been that long, it still feels like forever.”

“I know!” she exclaimed, flashing a smile at me. “From the second everyone was looking for you, I just wanted to have you back again. But more than anything, we’re just glad you’re safe.”

With the faintest flicker of guilt moving through me at knowing just how worried they had all been for me, despite my not having much choice in the matter, I did my best to hide it. “I am, too. Fortunately, things are starting to feel a bit more normal again.”

Gemma nodded, linking her arm through mine as Sky did the same on the other side. “That’s right. Which is why we’re going to let loose and have some fun today. No stress or concerns. Only wandering and shopping.”

More than happy to hear it, I smiled for them and allowed the girls to lead the way. “I won’t complain about that.”

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