Page 85 of Ruthless Bratva King

Dmitri’s expression hardens, his jaw tightening. “Lombardi won’t come near you.”

“Guarantee it?” Veronica asks, arching a brow.

Dmitri meets her gaze evenly. “If he does, I’ll feed him to the sharks.”

“You have sharks?” She smirks. “I’ll hold you to that, big guy. And hey, if you screw it up, I’ve got a very sharp heel with your name written on it.”

Dmitri chuckles, a rare sound that feels like sunlight breaking through clouds. “I’ll bear that in mind.”

59

ELENA

One week later…

The warm glow of the restaurant helps me relax. It’s been a week since I said my goodbyes to my parents but I still feel on edge from time to time. I wonder if that will ever pass.

The smell of garlic, dill, and freshly baked bread mingles with the low hum of conversations and the clinking of glasses. Dmitri sits across from me, as stony faced as ever but I know different. His eyes are alive with warmth.

I hold my teacup between my hands, watching the steam curl lazily into the air, savoring the comfort of this moment.

The door jingles as another patron enters. I glance over, only to notice the way eyes flick toward Dmitri. It’s subtle at first—a respectful nod here, a murmured greeting there. As the evening wears on, more people approach our table, their voices low and deferential.

“Dmitri,” a man says, inclining his head. “Good to see you.”

Dmitri nods in return, his tone measured. “And you.”

I watch, fascinated, as one by one, they come. A nod, a handshake, a quiet exchange. It’s clear they’re not here by coincidence.

When I lose count of the visitors, I set my cup down and tilt my head at Dmitri. “Are you going to tell me what that’s all about?”

He leans back in his chair, his hand casually resting on the edge of the table. “Peter’s death has created ripples,” he says, his deep voice steady. “People are looking for answers, for leadership.”

“From you?”

His eyes meet mine, the usual storm within them softened. “They may look to me, and once I would have taken his place. Not now. My uncle’s coming up from Miami to take over for now.”

“Your uncle?”

He nods. “My goals have changed. I have other priorities.”

The weight of his words hangs in the air, and I realize just how close I’ve been living to this underworld—a world that would have consumed me if not for him.

“Such as?” I ask, my voice quieter.

He leans forward, his gaze piercing but tender. “Now?” He reaches across the table, covering my hand with his. “Now, I leave it behind. I’m done with it, Elena. All of it. Peter’s death gave me the chance to step away for good. And I’m taking it.”

I blink, stunned. “You’d give it all up? Why?”

“I already have.” His thumb brushes over my knuckles. “My life, my loyalty—it’s yours now. You’ve given me something I never thought I could have. A future that matters.”

Emotion wells up, thick in my throat. The Dmitri who sits before me isn’t the cold, calculating man I first met. He’s something else entirely—a man who has risked everything to protect me, to build something with me.

“And you?” he asks. “What do you want?”

I don’t hesitate. “I’m thinking ice cream would be good.”

His smile is small but real.

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