Page 502 of Rage

My grip on Katherine tightened as she struggled against me. Her emotions played out so clearly on her face that even a blind man could’ve read them. She was pleading with me. But I shouldn’t let them know she was my weak spot.

Like it happened to my father.

Ivan smirked like he’d already won. I weighed my options. I could fix this without anyone realizing how important she was to me. Hell, I could even have Aleksei poison him as soon as he got home. Clean. Efficient.

But then she whispered my name.

“Dimitry.”

Her voice was soft but laced with an urgent beg. I was a fucking idiot for doing this, but I couldn’t ignore her. If showing everyone how much she meant to me was the cost, then so be it. I’d burn the whole world to ash for her, if needed.

“Romanov bratva isn’t as powerless as you think, Chernov,” I said. “From now on, they’re under my protection. Katherine is the woman I love, and she’s going to be my wife. Neither she, her family, nor her people will ever be touched.”

Katya’s eyes widened in shock, and I could feel the others’ stares burning into me. I didn’t care. Let them see. Let them know just how untouchable my kitten was.

“And don’t worry about the divorce,” I added, pulling a knife from its hidden spot under the table. “I have a quicker solution.”

Ivan’s face went ghostly pale as he stared at the blade. I wanted to throw it right at him, but I remembered Katya’s wishes. Taking a steadying breath, I offered her the weapon.

“It’s your choice, kitten.”

Chapter Sixteen

Katherine

Wife!?

I stopped struggling against his hold and stared at Dimitry as if he’d lost his mind. Had he really just said that? I never expected him to get involved like this, especially not in front of the other bratva leaders. I knew it would put him in a vulnerable position.

All I’d wanted was for him to let me go so I could claw the life out of my husband. That bastard had no right to threaten my father or my people.

But Dimitry’s words had completely derailed me. Wife. Was he serious? Could he really want this?

I knew he loved me as much as I loved him. I could feel it in every glance, every touch, but this? Declaring it in front of everyone?

My heart was doing wild leaps in my chest, and I didn’t know whether I wanted to scream or melt. I wanted to throw myself into his arms, kiss him senseless, and never let him go.

I followed him with my gaze as he reached under the table and pulled out a knife.

“It’s your choice, kitten.”

I froze, staring at the weapon he was offering me. Our fingers brushed as I took the knife. I could feel the other bratva bosses’ eyes on us, but I didn’t glance at them. I channeled my attention on Ivan.

My husband had been frozen since Dimitry pulled the blade, but the moment I took it, he seemed to relax. Idiot.

“Put it down, Katherine,” he said, his tone sharp and commanding.

It wasn’t a request, it was an order. As if he still thought he had any authority over me. As if he had ever had.

Arrogance radiated off him as he glanced at Dimitry, expecting some kind of intervention. But Dimitry didn’t even spare him a glance. His gaze stayed locked on me.

“Look,” Ivan tried again, his voice oily and smug. “I’m willing to compromise. I’ll sign the divorce. Consider it a gift for Zaytsev.”

I tightened my grip on the knife, my knuckles turning white. Fucking fool. I studied him, searching for anything I might’ve still felt. Respect? None. Love? It had never been. Care or at least a little glimmer of affection? Not anymore.

He’d threatened my father. My people. Disrespected the man I loved. And then there was the way he’d talked about me, the way he’d treated me. No, there was nothing left for him.

“No need,” I said. “I’ll embrace being a widow.”