Czar pushes off his knees, his face is red, and he’s pissed. He spits at Ivan and kicks him.
“Svoloch’”
I throw back my arm and strike Ivan’s face with my fist, wearing my custom-made silver knuckles that I always carry in my suit jacket. It’s my preferred method of causing injury. And right now, I want to cause lots of pain.
That’s what I want, to inflict pain on Ivan, pain to match the pain I feel for his betrayal.
The pain of taking Valentina.
The svoloch’ has been trying to fuel ill feelings towards my Brats, and now I know why. Ivan had it all planned and wanted me to be at his mercy.
Nyet!
Not happening.
“Pakhan, let me kill him,” Czar hisses, holding his Glock.
“Nyet! I’m going to kill him!”
I take his Glock and shoot Ivan between the eyes and through his black traitorous heart.
I hand Czar his Glock and run over to untie Valentina and Mia.
“Give me your knife,” I yell, looking over my shoulder at my Brats.
“Da,” Anatoly says, handing me his knife.
Czar cuts off Mia’s ties, and then he pulls her into his arms.
“I’m taking her to the SUV,” Czar says, walking out of the warehouse.
“Anatoly, take care of Ivan. Get rid of him.”
“Da, no worries, I take care of clean up,” Anatoly says, looking around the warehouse.
“Thanks. How did you get her so quickly?”
“Brat, I’m a brilliant IT and hacker. The cameras at Conti, then the street, and we got here just on time.”
“Da. Thank you.”
“All good. Take care of your bride.”
“Da.”
I pull Valentina into my arms, walk out of the warehouse, and get into the SUV. We get back to my apartment, and it feels good; it feels safe. I put Valentina on the bed and checked her out.
I call the Bratva Doctor, undress her, and pull on one of her nightgowns. Yes, she has them, but I always take them off her so she stops wearing them.
Epilogue
Lev
A year later.
I walk into the apartment and look around for Valentina. I scrub my face and walk down the hall to search for her.
As I get closer, my heart skips a beat as I listen to her sing to our babies. Valentina is perfect for me; she was my soulmate. I knew the moment I looked at her photo. Her eyes told me everything I needed to know. I’m so glad I jumped at the opportunity.
