Page 83 of Daddy Brigadier

“I get it. You’re better than me, and I’m nothing compared to you,” she snaps, her eyes locked onto mine with defiance.

“That also means I have countless enemies—men who would kill me, my husband, and my son.” The mention of my son makes her shift uncomfortably.

“Your nephew, whom you’ve never met.” I see the pain in her eyes, and I understand why. I deliberately distanced her from the Savins and the Bratva, not out of distrust for them, but out of fear that others in the Bratva would discover I had a little sister.

“I needed you to stay away because I wanted to protect you.” I step closer and hold her arm. “I knew that if those enemies found out you were my little sister, they’d try to hurt you. Just like Petrov did.”

I edge closer. “Alexis, I love you more than I love myself. That will never change.”

Her tear-filled eyes gaze up at me, and I hold her tightly as if I could shield her from all the pain. She wraps her arms around me, her tears soaking into my dress.

“I love him,” she cries, her voice breaking with each word, revealing the depth of her heartache.

I rub her back, recalling the unbearable moment when I lost Dmitri, a pain I thought would never fade. “I know,” I soothe her.

I pull back just enough to rest my forehead against hers. “Listen to me carefully, Valentin is a Brigadier, and I need you to stay away from him. He’s dangerous.”

Her expression shifts. The heartbreak is evident, yet there’s also a spark of defiance in her gaze—an indication that she might be plotting her own course of revenge.

“I promise, Petrov will face justice for what he did to you. But there are complexities in play that you can’t involve yourself in. Promise me you’ll stay away from Valentin.”

I cup her cheeks in my hands, gripping firmly to ensure our eyes lock. “Alexis, you have to promise me that you’ll stay away from Valentin,” I warn, my voice intense. I tilt her face slightly, my jaw clenched in determination, making sure she grasps the weight of my words. “Promise me?” I warn her, searching her eyes for a sign of understanding.

Alexis meets Ivy’s unwavering gaze, her arms crossed firmly behind her. Ivy’s intense look is a clear signal for her to pay attention to what’s being said. Alexis nods, “Alright,” she whispers.

I kiss her forehead, creating an unspoken moment of truce between us. We don’t need to figure everything out right now.

“I need to leave,” I say softly. “Once everything is settled, I’ll return, and I hope you’ll want to meet your nephew.”

“I’d love that,” she replies quietly, her body still and weary, as if she’s lost and desperately trying to navigate through her day.

“I love you,” I remind her, then step back, rejoining my security team waiting by the front door. Their watchful gaze on the girls serves as a reminder that I am in control.

I shoot a glance back at her. “Stay away from Valentin,” I growl, making it clear this is the last warning.

She gives me a weak shrug, as if she can’t help that she wants revenge against the man who shattered her heart rather than the one who harmed her. Her desire for retribution consumes her so deeply that she’s prepared to die for it.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

VALENTIN

The Scotch burns as it slides down my throat, but the flames aren’t enough to eraseherfrom my mind. It’s been a week since I threw Lexi out of my loft, and her cries still linger, haunting me. I’ve been drowning myself in alcohol since then, but no amount of drunkenness can wash her taste from my lips.

I slam the glass down on the table, harder than I need to.

I look past the half-dressed women in front of me, trying to ignore the energy of the club. This is Bratva territory—our kingdom.

So, why does it seem like I’ve become a stranger to myself? Is it because I’ve lost my sense of identity without her by my side?

She’s out there right now, planning to destroy me with those beautiful, deadly hands. Soon, I’ll see her again, with lust for blood in her eyes.

A blonde slides into the seat next to me, her lips painted red, her cleavage on display. “You look lonely,” she says, her voice as silken as chiffon.

Against my better judgment, I somehow lift my gaze to the stunning woman before me. If it had been months ago, I would have wasted no time, already having her in the back with her skirt lifted and my cock long since buried in her.

“Not interested,” I reply decisively, turning my head away from her and focusing on the crowd, my gaze drifting aimlessly.

“Come here, darling. I’m very interested,” Petrov chuckles as he pats his knee, and the blonde effortlessly settles onto his lap.