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Eighty-Eight
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Arranged To The Bravta King Eighty-Nine
MariaThe kitchen isn't what I expected. I thought it would be a room where people congregate, but it looks more like the back end of a restaurant with its long line of steel tables, stoves, wide sinks, and metal cupboards. On the counters are ceramic bowls, plates, and copper pots. The air is heavy with the smell of garlic and herbs, smoke from the stoves, and the heat of the ovens.Nonetheless, there's an enormous table off to the side for staff to eat. Sitting there eating a sandwich, Anton takes up one whole side. He's the biggest man I've ever seen, but his startled, doe-eyed expression makes him resemble a teddy bear, not a grizzly."Anton, are you picking at the pots again?" Dominika asks. "Your dirty fingers don't belong in the food."He shakes his head as if he's been caught in the act. "No, I brought a sandwich from the take-out."Dominika hugs him, wrapping her arms around him from behind, and though she's been kind to me, I'm shocked by her maternal affection toward Anton.
Arranged To The Bravta King Ninety
Maria"Trust," I say softly, looking up at Mikhail. "Real trust. We could exist without fear of being used against one another if we had it. ""Trust is difficult."I take a deep breath. "We're in this together, Mikhail. And trust revolves around us, even if you don't believe in it."He slips the ring out of my grasp and gently places it on my finger above my engagement ring.I inhale sharply as if the metal has melded into my skin. "Isn't this bad luck?"Mikhail chuckles, and I'm glad he's laughing. "We still have to know if it fits.""What if it doesn't happen?"His tone changes into something I've never heard before. "I know you want to believe that you know the truth, but your father kept many things from you. None of this is your fault.""We can stop it now." I place my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath my fingertips. The diamond sparkles and I'm drawn to him again. "You don't have to do this, Mikhail."Mikhail leans down and captures my mouth in a burning kiss. Hi
Arranged To The Bravta King Ninety-One
MikhailOld family photographs are scattered across the low table where I sit in my office as the rain pelts the glass. As a kid, I enjoyed the sound of rain, but as a man, it puts me on edge. The sharp, tiny bursts remind me too much of the sound of gunshots."Brooding again, Kolya?" Larissa's voice startles me as she enters my office. She's wearing bright red and deep yellow, as if filling in for the absent sun.I try to smile, but I can't. "It's my default mode, Lara.""You were always the moody one." She tosses her wet umbrella onto the floor with a careless grace only she could pull off."Careful, or I'll revoke your sibling privileges," I warn her, attempting to lighten my mood."You wouldn't dare," she replies evenly.She hasn't visited the penthouse in weeks. And I notice both her absence and coldness.She strides over and sits down beside me, a smile breaking out slightly when she notices the Kaori painting I've been staring at for the last hour."Chrysanthemum," she says. "M
Arranged To The Bravta King Ninety-Two
MariaThe rain strikes the massive window, and each drop reminds me of the storm I'm facing alone. The room feels too small with the drapes closed, so I leave them open to let the storm outside keep me company. The room flashes each time the lightning strikes, and I shiver. I feel cold, even though it's warm inside.I can't stop thinking about Mikhail—and what I want to tell him. But I can't. Even if he loves me, I can't. I fidget with the hem of my dress, trying to find the words to express the gnawing feeling inside me ever since Mikhail showed me our rings.It's really going to happen.There are three quick knocks on my door. "Come in," I say.Larissa smiles as she enters. Though I'm happy to see her, I wish it was him.She closes the door behind her securely and then hugs me. Her touch is warm and comforting, the only respite from the hideous thoughts flooding my imagination.Larissa sits in the chair opposite mine. Dominika finally got tired of trying to convince me to stay in th
Arranged To The Bravta King Ninety-Three
MariaThere's a fast knock, and then the door opens cautiously. Mikhail's strong figure frames the doorway before he steps into my bedroom. Shadows play over his striking features as our eyes lock, and I feel an unwanted pull toward him. His green eyes hold me in place, making it impossible to turn away. His intensity both captivates me and makes me uneasy at the same time."Maria, I want to talk." His voice shivers across my skin."About what?" I ask innocently, but I know exactly what this is about. Larissa didn't keep her promise. She must have told him my secret.Mikhail comes closer but avoids returning my gaze before tossing himself in a chair. "The wedding."I swallow, and he notices, but I play it off quickly like there's something in my throat. "Is there still going to be one?" I ask.Mikhail's gaze pierces me. "Yes." His firm voice warns me not to question him again. But I don't heed the warning."I don't want to be a part of your farce. You're willing to protect me, Mikhail
Arranged To The Bravta King Ninety-Four
MariaMy fingers tremble as I clutch the phone. I need to do something ... anything to save Mikhail and my dad from their hell-bent destruction. I begin typing out a text."Dad, I need you ..."I hesitate as I debate whether to send it. I hold the phone in both hands as if chanting a prayer over it and staring into the screen. All the things Mikhail said to me—loving things that make me forget what he is—and then he ran off after reading the text on my phone.Nothing has changed.He'll never change.Mikhail uses his charm to keep me in check.But what if he really meant it?Maybe I shouldn't do this, and my thumb hovers over the text to delete it. It wasn't that long ago my dad attacked a boy for kissing me at a party, and Mikhail has done a lot more than that. Sending the text is definitely a bad idea, but a sudden knock on the door startles me before I can delete it. I fumble my phone, which lands on the floor as the door opens.Dominika's concerned face appears in the doorway. "Mar
Arranged To The Bravta King Ninety-Five
MikhailThe rain pelts against the windshield as Pavel navigates the SUV through the dark streets of Jersey City. The SUV passes through one of the few undeveloped areas left, far from the gleaming high-rise condominiums near the light rail. I stare out the darkened window, but instead of focusing on the scenery, I end up staring at my haggard reflection.We received word that there was a break-in at one of the few Jersey properties where we store various things that shouldn't cross state lines. Add that to the text Maria received on her phone, and I have a very good idea who it was.Innocent or not, she's fueling the conflict."Mikhail Ivanov?" Pavel glances over at me. His uncharacteristic concern heightens my unease."Keep driving," I mutter, pulling out my phone. There are numerous missed calls from Maria and one from Anton. I see her text to call her back; she's desperate to reach me.Alexander suggested she had other ways to communicate with Zakhar. And I didn't believe it until
Arranged To The Bravta King Ninety-Six
MikhailMy body reacts before my mind can process what's happening. Instinctively, I lunge toward Maria, shielding her against the SUV. Glass shatters around us, showering the interior with shards as Pavel covers his face."Maria, stay down!" I shout, scrambling to move Maria around the SUV and away from the bullets. Despite the outburst of chaos, one thought remains clear in my mind. I will not let anything happen to her. "What are you doing here?"Maria cries out, her eyes wide with terror as she clings to me, trembling. "Mikhail, you weren't answering your phone. I had to find you."I try to open the door, but a bullet strikes the metal from behind us. Fuck! We're surrounded.Taking a deep breath, I shield her and assess the situation. The building will offer some cover, but moving across the open ground is risky. We need to shoot back and buy ourselves time. My hand reaches for the Glock tucked into my waistband, and my fingers wrap around the cold, familiar metal.I shoot into th
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Arranged To The Bravta King 175
MariaThe scent of blooming lilacs fills the air as I stand on the terrace at the Barinov Estate. Their home is the perfect backdrop for me and Mikhail to exchange our vows. Spring has arrived, and with it, a sense of rebirth. The rose garden is in bloom with lavender and pink roses that scent the misty air as I hurry across the lawn and enter an opulent ballroom.The chandeliers cast circles of light on the polished floor, and the sheer drapes billow over the casement windows. I smile at the murals of angels painted on the ceiling above my head and soak in the joy that being here gives me. The staff starts to hurry in to set the room up for our nuptials, and maybe I should go upstairs to change.Dad stands in the main hall dressed in a tux. The tiredness has left his expression, and he looks younger now that we have no secrets. I hurry over to him and hug him tight. He holds me, but his smile is tinged with sadness. "Maria, I spoke to Mikhail. I'll be announcing my retirement from th
Arranged To The Bravta King 174
MikhailTHREE MONTHS LATER"Are you sure you want to do this?" I ask Maria. Though it had nothing to do with me, I feel responsible. It was my Bratva that murdered Maria's mother. Men that my father trusted."Yes," she replies, staring straight ahead. "I have to have closure."We've traveled to the area where Aria was killed behind a safe house. Zakhar leads the way, searching for the spot. The tall maple trees surround the isolated house with boarded-up windows. Behind it, a faint path winds its way deeper into the woods, and overgrown bushes make it a challenge not to get lost. Eventually, the path leads to a small clearing containing a rotting tree stump.There's an eerie silence hanging over the area, as if nature was holding its breath. I take a deep breath in and stare at the tangled branches high over our heads. Maria stands beside me, her hand trembling in mine."We separated here." Zakhar stops beside the unassuming tree stump. It doesn't look like it should be anyone's final
Arranged To The Bravta King 173
MariaThe delivery room is a battleground, and I'm the one fighting for a life. Sweat beads on my forehead as another contraction rips through me. My fingers grip Mikhail's hand tightly, seeking comfort in the strength of his grip. I feel his concern like an electric current crackling between us as he says words of encouragement, urging me on."Push, Maria. You're almost there," he says. His voice is strong and steady, even though worry is etched into his handsome features. Those intense eyes have seen so much violence and bloodshed, and now they're fixed on me. Mikhail has been by my side every step of the way, our relationship forged in danger. And now, we're about to create something beautiful out of it all."Maria, you're doing great," Dr. Galano chimes in, her tone professional but warm. "One more big push and you'll meet your daughter."My body tenses with the effort, and I think back to how we got here. Nights spent tangled in each other's arms, trying to forget the chaos of th
Arranged To The Bravta King 172
MikhailThe room is silent as Zakhar reveals the pain he has felt for decades while hiding himself and Maria away. He sits down heavily, and I place a hand on his shoulder, understanding his desperation for his daughter and accepting the honor of his blessing.Sorokin slams the gavel down again and says, "I'm glad to know that you will willingly accept your fate, Zakhar Sergeyevich." He looks at Maria and me, his lip set in a scowl. But then Sorokin glances away and hesitates, almost as if he regrets what he has to say. "The oath has been broken, and our original judgment stands ..."Maria stiffens and reaches for my hand. "No," she whispers, "I can't lose everything I love. I won't." She looks at me, her eyes wide and desperate for reassurance. "Mikhail ... no."Behind us the doors burst open, and Zhanna strides in, flanked by several women of the Bratva. Paige Barinov, Natasha Chuikov, Sonia Karamazov, and my own sister, Larissa. The men fall silent as the women make their way towar
Arranged To The Bravta King 171
MikhailWe agreed to meet on neutral territory, and the Poconos was mentioned briefly, but the Barinov Estate was chosen instead.The drive through the woods reminds me too much of driving to Sorokin's castle, but I'm relieved when two large gates open, revealing a red brick mansion. Yes, the sprawling structure is formidable, but the house is trimmed in holiday lights, and the remnants of a snowman guard the front door.The mansion has a lightness to it, which brings hope. Bright light floods the hall, bouquets decorate every table I pass, and the white marble floors are cleaned to a high gloss. Views of the gardens covered in snow are visible from the window, and a few children play outside, bundled up against the cold.I'm led by a guard to the furthest wing of the house, where I find a set of double doors. I feel hopeful until I'm shown into the dining room. My heart sinks as if it were tied to a boulder and thrown into the ocean. Contrary to my expectation of a bright and open sp
Arranged To The Bravta King 170
MariaThe dark road seems familiar to me, but I'm not sure why I have this feeling of déjà vu. "Where are we going?" I ask my father as his truck navigates through traffic past the dirty piles of snow."Back to the inn," replies Dad. "We've been requested to come to a meeting." Dad's mouth is tight as he concentrates on the route.My heart skips a beat, but I keep my warring emotions inside."You don't look happy about it," I reply softly."Sorokin knows how Gunsyn died," he replies. "Mikhail and I are oath breakers. Sorokin has every right to kill us both. But we're getting a hearing instead.""That's good, isn't it?" I ask, confused."Yes and no." Dad sighs loudly as he slows down for the exit. "Maria, you have to accept that things might not end in our favor. If something happens to me, you're to go live with your uncle Vito. The feud is over, so you'll both be safe.""Nothing bad will happen." I lower my voice and grip the seat to steady my nerves. "You and Mikhail did what you sa
Arranged To The Bravta King 169
MariaCHRISTMAS NIGHTIt's only eight thirty on Christmas night, and all day I haven't been in the mood for presents or holiday cheer. I finally give up and go upstairs to sit by my bedroom window. I don't have the energy or desire to do more than watch the snowflakes fall gently to the ground below. I glance over at the closed door and feel a little guilty for not being downstairs. But I can't imagine Dad is too eager to keep celebrating either. The last time I saw him he was sitting in the kitchen listening to a true crime podcast.I take a look around at the hot pink walls, the neatly arranged art books, and the plush stuffed animals on my twin bed.Nothing's changed in my pretty cage, except for me.Soon, I'll have a little girl of my own. I stare at the latest sonogram pictures again and that's the only thing that makes me smile.The world outside is cold and unforgiving, but it's warm and safe in here. In Holtsville, my father will keep me safely tucked away from what's out ther
Arranged To The Bravta King 168
MikhailThe penthouse is a mausoleum of her memories, taunting me wherever I look. I stare at the spiral staircase, waiting for Maria to come down. I wait, hoping I'm wrong, but I know she'll never appear. I wander aimlessly up the stairs into her old bedroom, and my gaze falls on the Kuzma Fedorov painting I gave her. I remember that day and how proud Maria was to tell me it was hanging upside down.I, the art expert, was being schooled by a woman who had only seen art in books.But Maria spotted the hidden image of the face in the brushstrokes so clearly. The same way she spotted the light imprints in my father's journals. The same way that she still spotted a glimpse of the man I could have been.I close my eyes, dreaming that when I open them, she'll still be next to me. But I turn and the fantasy gives way to harsh reality.Many of the paintings I owned were destroyed during the attack. And I haven't stepped into my office since she left. I haven't touched a pencil, a pen, or a b
Arranged To The Bravta King 167
MariaCHRISTMAS EVEA few cards sit on the mantel among a twisty wire of bright lights. The Christmas tree stands in one corner, its branches covered in twinkling lights and ornaments from the attic. For the first time in a long while, the living room furniture is draped in cozy red-and-green throws, and a plush white rug adds to the holiday style. The scent of cinnamon and cloves fills the air downstairs, but none of this is enough to put me in the mood.The only thing that makes me smile is a sonogram of my baby propped up on the mantelpiece.Dad sits in the kitchen wrapping gifts. The sound of paper folding and the cut and the hiss of tape being pulled off the spool is calming, like white noise. I stare at the colorful presents crowded under the tree with big loopy bows.I want to care that Christmas is tomorrow, but I just don't.It's hard to care when I can only think about Mikhail."You don't mind that they're coming over?" Dad enters the room, picking at a roll of tape, trying
