Page 40 of The Mafia's Fake Wife

“In my world, Elena, it’s kill or be killed.” He sets down the photo. “I don’t expect you to understand.”

“Try me.”

He studies me for a long moment. “The man in this photo was Boris Orlov. He worked for Nikolai. His brothers Yuri and Sergei still do. Three months ago, he walked into one of my clubs and shot the manager to send a message to me. The man had worked for me for ten years and had three children. Then he killed twosecurity guards who tried to stop him. A few weeks ago, he tried to force Anton to meet with my enemy, and Anton settled the matter permanently.”

I sink into a chair across from his desk. “So this was...revenge?”

“Yes, and justice,” he corrects. “In my world, there are no courts, no trials. There’s only power and those who wield it.”

“And you’re one of those people.”

“Yes.”

I bite my lip. “Do you know how insane this sounds? You’re talking about murder like it’s... business.”

“For me, it is.” He comes around the desk and kneels in front of me. “I’ve never lied to you about who I am. Not really. I’ve just...omitted certain truths.”

“Like the fact that you kill people?”

“I kill enemies who would kill me first,” he clarifies. “Never innocents. That’s a line I won’t cross.”

“Unlike Nikolai?” I ask, remembering our previous conversations.

Damir nods. “Nikolai doesn’t care who gets hurt. Men, women, or children—they’re all just collateral damage to him.”

I stand, needing space. “The FBI thinks they can build a case against you.”

“They’ve been trying for years, back when Nikolai and I were still partners even,” he says, rising. “They won’t succeed.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I’m careful.” He takes my hand. “Come with me. I want to show you something.” He leads me to a panel on the wall I’ve never noticed before. When he presses his palm against it, it slides open to reveal a security station with multiple monitors.

“After we married, I upgraded the entire building’s security. Every entrance, every exit, every elevator and stairwell is monitored 24/7. The glass is bulletproof. The doors have biometric locks. No one gets in or out without my knowledge.”

I stare at the screens, watching the various feeds. “Why do you have all this?”

“I have enemies. Powerful ones. I need to know we’re safe, especially you when I’m not here.”

“Enemies like Nikolai?”

“Especially Nikolai.” His expression darkens.

I turn to face him fully. “What am I supposed to do with all this? How am I supposed to reconcile the man I’ve come to know with...this?” I gesture to the security monitors and the photo on his desk.

“You don’t have to reconcile anything,” he says quietly. “You can walk away. I won’t stop you.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” His gaze holds mine. “I’ll make sure you’re taken care of and set up somewhere safe where Nikolai can’t find you if you feel endangered. Or you can return to your life as it was before you met me.”

I search his face, looking for deception, manipulation, or anything that would make this decision easier. All I see ishonesty and something that looks dangerously like caring. “And if I stay?”

“Then you accept me as I am. All of me. The businessman and thebratvaleader. The husband and the killer.”

I close my eyes, weighing my options. I can leave and start over somewhere new, finish my medical training, become the doctor I’ve always wanted to be, and live a normal life. Or I can stay with a man who kills his enemies, who lives by a code I can barely comprehend. A man who, despite everything, has shown me more honesty and respect than anyone else in my life besides my mother. “I need time to think.”

Damir nods. “Take all the time you need.”

---