Page 89 of Untamed

Get it, girl.

“Yes, I have an account, but it has nothing to do withyou.It’s about romance books. I post about fiction, notyouguys. I don’t even know whoyouare.”

“Look at this,” Rafail says, obviously seething as he points to a corner of the screen.

Ember’s hand covers her mouth. I don’t say anything at first, as I’m trying to stay calm.

“I asked you a question, Ember.When?”

“On the plane, you got up to talk to the flight crew, and I took the opportunity to post a quick video.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t post quick videos,” Rafail snaps. I hate the way he chides her as if it’s his fucking place. My hands ball at my sides. “Maybe you should take the time to edit them before you fucking post.”

I take a step toward him. How fucking dare he. “Maybeyoushould shut the—” I clamp my mouth shut at the searing glare he sends me, just as Semyon snaps, “Rodion.”

I can’t lose my shit, not here, not now, not with my brother the pakhan.

Ember’s eyes flash at my brothers, and her nostrils flare. “I didn’t even know the Bratva was fucking real until like two weeks ago, so excuse me for not knowing I couldn’t take a video on a plane I wasinvited on.”She turns to me, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “You know me. You know I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you or your family.”

Rafail jabs a finger at the video.

Right in the corner of the screen are all the details—a crest in the background with our family name. The caption suggests Bratva themes, and the whole thingmaybecould’ve been shrugged off as fictional, if not for the comment section.

“Holy fuck,” I whisper, shaking my head.No.

Someone looked it all up and posted all our information for the whole damn world to see. It’s the top comment.

“Delete it,” I snap, but she’s already on it, her hands shaking as she unlocks her phone and pulls it up.

“It’s gone,” she whispers, not voicing what all of us are thinking: deleting the post doesn’t remove the screenshots or views. The leak is out there, and there’s no taking it back.

“I didn’t know. I had no idea. I thought I was just taking a video for my account. It’s part of my income, you know? I need to keep posting, and I haven’t posted in days. I had no idea you guys would have information on the plane that would identify you. I didn’t mean?—”

“To mock our family?” Rafail snaps. “To make us the laughing stock of?—”

“Rafail.”

I step between Ember and him. I never wanted to have to choose between my family and Ember, and I don’t want to have to now.

“Stop. She didn’t mean it. It was a harmless accident. This is what she does, and she didn’t mean anything by it.”

“It’snotharmless.” His nostrils flare. “This has gone wider than you know. We have to talk to you alone, Rodion.” His voice sets my nerves on edge.

What the hell happened?

“Fine, but no one touches her,” I warn, steel in my voice. “If one fucking hair on her head is harmed, you’ll answer to me.”

Rafail’s brows rise. Semyon whistles under his breath, and Matvei silently makes the sign of the cross.

Rafail narrows his eyes on me. “Your sisters are in the kitchen. Bring Ember there while we talk.”

I definitely have no choice, but she won’t like being separated. Hell, I think it’s bullshit myself, but I know better than to push back now.

So I take her by the hand and lead her to the kitchen. I’m still shaking. Still waiting for the fallout from overstepping my place with Rafail. He’ll fucking kill me for that.

“I’m sorry,” Ember says in a whisper. Her eyes are blurred with tears.

“Just do what they say for now. Let me deal.” I kiss her cheek. “You didn’t mean it. I know you didn’t. I know you have reservations about everything, and I know you were just trying to post a video. But I do have to talk to them privately, and I’ll make it better. Hang out with my sisters.” I roll my eyes. “They’re better company anyway.”

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