AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I want to get out. I cannot keep going behind my wife’s back. Please, Pakhan. I need to leave our brotherhood. I know what that means for me, but I need to keep my family safe.”
A wave of anger burned into my chest; my brigadier had chosen another family over us. One of my captains, my closest friend, Ivan Zotov, is begging me to leave, “No woman is worth our brotherhood. If you were anyone else, I would kill you and that family. If you want to leave, fine. Leave, but you will get no protection from me, and neither will your family. Enjoy life outside the Bratva.”
Ivan looks at me with frustrated eyes. “I am sorry, brother. I never knew I could love anything more until I met her. Brother, if you only knew a love this precious.”
“Leave, you are not my brother. I grant you this mercy, but never stand in my presence again.”
A Year Later
“Pakhan, this has come in the mail for you.” One of my captains, or brigadier, hands me a letter.
Pakhan, you were not lying when you said life would be hard. I have a son named Prince. I apologize. I kept it a secret from you. I did not tell you before I left, but I needed to keep it a secret. As you may now know, they have killed me. I have tried to protect my family for as long as I could. I know I am no longer considered a brother, but you and I are beyond oath. We are not blood, but we are brothers. I ask you, brother, to care for my wife and son as if I would. I know my wife won’t move on emotionally. Please inspire love in her again. You two are a lot alike. Please Kyro, protect my family.
-Your friend, Ivan
“Get out…” I say to everyone in the room. Everyone leaves the room, leaving me with emotions I thought I had buried deep down after Ivan left. Tears fall from my eyes as my head lies against my desk. I get up and slam my fist against the desk over…and over…and over until I get up and flip the desk over.
The letter served as a reminder of what needed to be done, so I kept it in my wallet. I had to honor my brother’s wish. I turned my back on him once, but I won’t do the same with his family.
Upon reopening the envelope, I observed a photo of his wife and child. His wife had short curly hair, chestnut brown eyes, ebony skin, and a smile that could brighten up anyone’s day. His son looks just like him; he has his green eyes, and his bone structure, but his mother’s brown skin and curly dark hair.
Present
For the next few months, I couldn’t bring myself to take in his family. I watched them from a distance to make sure they were safe, but the Italians have a long memory. I knew I had to step in to keep my promise to my brother.
Reyna looks at me with confusion. “Novikov? I know who you are.”
A Year Ago
Reyna
Prince has slept with me every night since we buried his father. My husband is gone. The only thing that’s keeping me from falling apart completely is my son.
I flip through the mail and see a letter.
My love, let me apologize for the pain you must be feeling. You are the first woman and the last woman I have ever loved. I have not been an honorable husband. I never told you what being with me could cost you. My behavior was selfish. I cannot say what I want in a letter. I have a brother; his name is Kyro Novikov. You and he are similar people. He will take care of you and our son. I promise you I will not fail you again. I love you and Prince more than anything in the world.
-Your Husband, Ivan
Present
After receiving that letter, I waited, but he never came.
“He told you?” He raises a brow at me.
I got off his lap and crossed my arms. “Ivan sent me a letter. He said there was stuff he couldn’t tell me and that you would protect us. He never said from what, but I’m sure it has to do with the men who killed him.”
“I apologize. I took so long to find you. The thought of facing you or your son was overwhelming. He looks so much like Ivan.” Kyro smiles.
“I didn’t know Ivan had a brother.”
“We do not share blood, but we are brothers. And my brother has asked me to care for his wife and child. New York is not safe for you or Prince. I will take you with me to Miami. That’s where I am currently. Thirty percent of Bratva is here in New York, but the Italians have been troublesome. They must have killed Ivan.”
I take another step away from him. My eyes widen with fear, “The…Bratva? As in Russian mob? You’re saying my husband was in the Bratva?” Ivan, what have you done to us…?
“Yes, he was one of my captains. We grew up together in the Bratva.” His eyes turned cold again. “I have protected you as much as I could from a distance, but I can only do so much from afar. Pack your things. We will leave in the morning.” He gets up from the couch and puts his coat on me.
“I cannot just leave. My mother and father are still here. What will I tell them?” I scoff.
