Page 138 of Bratva Menace

“He’s my family too! He’s the only one who understands me!” I shouted, moving closer. “And you would know that if you gave a crap about anyone but yourself,” I seethed.

“You barely know him!”

The fucking audacity. “I’ve been following him for nearly two years. There isn’t a soul on this earth who knows him better than I do.”

Lev scoffed. “Well, he doesn’t know you, does he? He doesn’t give a shit about you. If he did, he wouldn’t have left you.”

His words hurt like a fucking knife to the heart.

“No!” Lukyan yelled out. It was the first time during the whole ordeal I caught a glimpse of fight in him. “That’s not true. Don’t listen to him, baby—” He winced again when Lev grabbed a fistful of his hair.

“Shut the fuck up,” he hissed. “I’ve had enough of you manipulating my sister. Don’t you hear him, Lyla? Don’t you hear how full of shit he is? He’s only saying this crap so you’ll stop me from killing him. He doesn’t care about you. Not really. He’ll never fucking choose you over his family. You’re nothing to him.”

“Would you choose me?”

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Of course I would. I love you.”

“Then put the gun down and just walk away. Walk away from this.”

Lev didn’t move, just staring at me. I already knew he wouldn’t do it before I even said the words.

I took another step. “You won’t, will you? Because despite what you say, you would never choose me over your revenge.” I’d known it all along, but it still broke my heart.

“Enough,” Lev growled. “Just stop talking. Just stop⁠—”

My brother’s gaze whipped upward, and his eyes widened in shock. People came pouring in from all sides, armed to the tee. I stayed exactly where I was, my gun still aimed at Lev as I watched person after person approach us with urgency. I recognized some of them. Lukyan’s family—Aleksandr, Nikolai, Illayana, and their partners, Drea and Arturo. They came rushing toward us, their guns drawn right at my brother.

Panicked, Lev grabbed Lukyan, moving behind him. He wrapped an arm around his neck and pressed the gun deeper into Lukyan’s temple in warning. “Stop! Stop where you are, or I’ll fucking kill him!”

As one, they all halted immediately, skidding to a stop. Anger burned in all of their eyes. There was nothing any of them could do. They were too far away to try to rush him and take the gun before he shot Lukyan. I was the closest one to him, apart from Autumn, but she was far too busy doing CPR on Dimitri to do anything to help.

“Put your guns down!” Lev commanded.

Everyone looked at Aleksandr. He was the oldest. The leader. The one they all turned to for guidance. I could see why. He stood there, strong and powerful, like a bear guarding its cubs. This was the first time I’d ever been scared of him. That look—that fucking look on his face was terrifying.

“Do it! I’ll blow his goddamn brains out. I will,” Lev warned.

“Then you’ll die too,” Aleksandr said roughly. It wasn’t a warning or a threat, but an absolute. Lev would die a painful and horrible death if he did it. There would be no stopping it.

Lev laughed maliciously. “You think I fucking care? I died a long time ago. I’ve accepted my fate.” He leaned forward slightly, but was smart enough to keep most of his head behind Lukyan’s to act as a shield. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re wondering if you can get me before I get a shot off.” He laughed again. “Take the risk. Go on. Let’s see who’s faster,” he taunted.

There would be no way to shoot Lev without shooting Lukyan too. No way.

Aleksandr must have realized it, too, because he let out a frustrated growl before tossing his weapons in front of him. One by one, the others did the same until they all stood there, unarmed.

Lev ducked out from behind Lukyan, face full of triumph. “You’re all so goddamn predictable. Now, I get to kill you all⁠—”

“Don’t, Lev. Don’t do it.” I never dropped my gun, keeping it aimed at him, but I knew he wasn’t the least bit concerned. He didn’t think I could really shoot him, despite the fact that I had already threatened to do so. That was evident based on the knowing smile on his face.

“I’m sorry, little sister. I am. Not for killing this fucking family—I’ll never be sorry for that—but for the pain it will cause you. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Then don’t.” I moved closer until I was right there, right in front of him. “Please don’t do this. Please don’t take him from me.” I sobbed, turning into a complete blubbering mess. “I am begging you. Begging you, Lev. Don’t make me choose between you and him. Don’t put that on me. Just let him go. Let them all go and walk away from this.” I never was a big crier, but at that moment, I could do nothing but cry. Tears poured out of my eyes so much that I couldn’t stop them even if I wanted to. “Please. For me. Please.”

He smiled, and that was when I knew there would be no changing his mind. No matter what I said.

“Sorry, little sister.” Time slowed down, and I watched agonizingly as he began to squeeze his finger over the trigger⁠—

I stabbed him in the side of the neck. The gun went off, but it was too late. Lukyan had wrestled out of his grip the moment I striked. Lev had been too preoccupied keeping an eye on my gun to notice my left hand behind my back—the one that had been gripping a knife.