"That's enough," I say, but Bogdan ignores me.
He continues, advancing on his daughter. "Years of grooming you, teaching you, preparing you to be a Pakhan’s wife. And you failed. You're useless."
Mariya moves so fast, I almost don't see it. One second, she's standing beside me and the next, she's between Bogdan and Sophia, her hands clenched into fists and her eyes blazing with fury.
"Don't you dare blame her for this," she says, her voice low and dangerous.
21
MARIYA
I'm already furious. The revelation that Andrey had some kind of understanding with Sophia's family, that he'd been stringing them along for years while he kidnapped and married me, has my blood boiling. But watching Bogdan turn on his own daughter, watching him blame her for something that she couldn't control…
"Don't you dare blame her for this," I say, my voice low and dangerous as I step between Bogdan and Sophia.
Bogdan's gray eyes snap to me, and I see the rage there intensify. "This doesn't concern you."
"The hell it doesn't." I move closer, my hands still clenched into fists. "You're standing in my husband's house, yelling at your daughter because of decisionsyoumade. Because of expectationsyoucreated without any actual agreement."
"Mariya," Andrey says quietly, a warning in his tone.
I ignore him. All the anger I've been holding back, all the frustration and fear and helplessness of the past week, comespouring out. "You want to blame someone? Blame yourself. You pushed for a marriage that was never going to happen. You built up your daughter's hopes based on nothing but your own ambition."
Bogdan takes a step toward me, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. "You have no right to speak to me like that. You're nothing but a traitor's daughter."
"And you're nothing but a bully." I don't back down, even though he's taller than me, even though I can see the violence in his eyes. "You're taking out your disappointment on a woman who's done nothing wrong. Sophia didn't fail you.Youfailedher."
"How dare you—" He takes another step, and suddenly, he's right in front of me, his hand raised.
Before I can even process what's happening, Andrey is there. He moves so fast it's like he teleports, his body a blur as he shoves himself between us. His hand wraps around Bogdan's throat, and in one fluid motion, he slams the older man against the wall hard enough that I hear the impact echo through the library.
"Touch her, and you die," Andrey growls, his voice so cold it sends chills down my spine. "Threaten her and you die. Evenlookat her wrong, and I'll put a bullet in your skull."
Bogdan claws at Andrey's hand, his face turning purple. "Let… go…"
"No one threatens my wife." Andrey's grip tightens. "In any way. Do you understand me?"
Something flutters in my stomach at those words.My wife.He says it with such possessiveness, such absolute certainty, that fora moment, I forget to be angry at him. For a moment, I feel… protected. Safe.
It's a good feeling, for a change. Something I haven't felt in years.
The beast moves from his position by the door, his massive frame blocking any escape route Bogdan might try to take. His hand rests on something at his hip, probably a weapon, and his dark eyes are fixed on Bogdan with deadly intent.
"Andrey," I say quietly. "Let him go."
Andrey doesn't move for several long seconds. Then, slowly, he releases Bogdan's throat and steps back. The older man gasps for air, his hand going to his neck where red marks are already forming.
"Get out of my house," Andrey says, his voice still cold. "And don't come back unless you're invited."
I turn away from the men and look at Sophia. She's still sitting in the chair, her face pale and her eyes wide with shock. Tears continue to stream down her cheeks, and she's trembling.
"Sophia," I say gently. "Can we talk? Just the two of us?"
She glances at her father, worry clear in her green eyes. But after a moment, she nods and stands. I lead her to the far corner of the library, away from the men, and gesture for her to sit in one of the reading chairs tucked into an alcove.
I pull another chair close and sit facing her. Up close, I can see she's beautiful. Her long black hair is perfectly styled, her makeup flawless despite the tears. She's wearing a modest dress that shows off her curves, and I can see why Andrey's family might have wanted this match. She looks like the perfect Bratva wife.
"I'm sorry," she whispers, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry for all of this."
