Page 78 of The Bratva's Arranged Bride

“It’s okay,” Val murmured as he suddenly appeared in front of me. I felt his arms reach for me while his body pressed against mine, pulling me impossibly close. The familiar warmth and scent of him filled my senses, and I could only lean into it. “It’s over…I’ve got you.”

My mind was a mess while every immediate memory hit me harder than the last, and without realizing it at first, I started sobbing. Clinging to Val while he offered himself to me like a lifeline, I cried against his chest and hardly noticed as he picked me up.

While those painful emotions coursed through me all at once, I felt like I was only an observer in that moment. Like I had no control over anything at all, and I could only let the overwhelming feeling run its course.

I didn’t remember being moved, but when I finally ran out of tears, I found myself in the backseat of one of the SUVs, cradled in Val’s lap while he soothingly stroked my hair and gave me the time I needed to get through it.

Letting out a shaky breath, I felt myself coming back to the moment, and when I did, his eyes were on me with a tangle of concern and relief.

“I’m sorry, Tia,” Val murmured, pausing his careful movements to cradle my cheek instead. That regret looked so similar to my father’s, even if it was for a different reason. “This never should’ve happened…you never should’ve been caught up in all of this. I never should’ve let you out of my sight.”

While I didn’t trust my voice at first, I managed to speak anyway. “You didn’t know…”

“No, I didn’t, but I should have. I knew the Gallo family were angry with your dad…I should’ve anticipated this,” he returned gently, taking a breath before he leaned his forehead against mine. “I don’t deserve your trust, but I promise I’ll never let this happen again. You’ll never know this kind of feeling so long as I’m here.”

A complicated storm of feelings coursed through me at his words, but I was exhausted. Far too tired to argue. Instead, I closed my eyes and savored how it felt to be with him again.

“I’m just glad you’re here…that we’re both safe.”

“So am I,” Val hummed, stroking my cheek with his thumb before pressing his lips against my forehead. “Whenever you’re ready, I’m taking you back home where you belong.”

Pulling in a breath, I nodded, but wanted to stay that way for just another moment to take in the quiet and the comfort shared between us.

As angry as I had been with my father, it shifted into a feeling of deep sadness, yet also a gratitude that surprised me.

Even if I wished he didn’t need to face that fate, it felt like his final redemption. His attempt to fix things.

In a way, he helped me get back to Val, and regardless of that pain, I wasn’t going to let it be for nothing. He sacrificed his life for me, and I was more than prepared to honor that.

Chapter 29 - Val

I would never have the chance to properly thank Andrey myself for the way he put Tia first when he could’ve taken the cowardly way out.

Instead, he threw himself in the line of fire to defend her and keep her safe.

Because of him, we were able to take out Francesco and Tommaso before they could forcibly take Tia away. Before they attempted the unthinkable.

For that, I would be forever grateful.

Surprisingly, the sun was shining on the day of his funeral service. Despite the lingering numbness in the air at the sorrowful event, it still felt like a subtle bid of hope, like Andrey telling Tia to not let the grief overshadow the fact that she was safe and alive. That she had been given a second chance.

Standing by her side, I was well aware of how complicated her feelings were towards her father.

He had done some unforgivable things and used her in ways he never should have, but it was his sacrifice that undid our gunlock and helped bring us together again.

Of course, she was angry with him, but it seemed Tia wasn’t prepared to let it consume her.

The last week or so had been difficult, but I didn’t care. Regardless of what it took, I was willing to give it to her. Whether it was time alone or time together, I wanted to be as supportive as possible. Even if it made only the smallest difference, it was enough for me.

After making sure she and the baby were fine, we spent that time trying to find a new normal. Without blocking it out entirely, we had to process what we went through—Tia even more so. We had to sit in the grief and reality of the situation, while also appreciating the relief that came with our mutual safety.

Something in me wanted to be angry with Andrey on her behalf, especially given how he caused the whole confrontation by withholding the extent of his entanglement with the Gallo family. But in the wake of it all, I couldn’t bring myself to feel that way.

Instead, I focused on how he chose to make things right in the one way he could.

He may have failed her in other ways, but in that moment, he made the right choice for her, regardless of how painful it was in the end.

Tia had done her fair share of crying, but while we stood there watching as his casket was lowered into the ground, her bloodshot eyes were dry.

---