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Ninety-Four
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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
Arranged To The Bravta King Ninety-Seven
Maria"Look out!"My dad emerges from a shadowy hallway as if summoned by retribution, but he doesn't hear me call him. His face is contorted by a madness that frightens me. The look of hate in his eyes makes my legs freeze in place to see that chilling expression on a face I love.I try to call out to him again, but my voice catches in my throat. His relentless glare is locked onto Mikhail as if I don't matter. And I feel that none of this brutality has anything to do with me. Dad points the gun directly at Mikhail, but I refuse to let fate happen."Daddy, NO!" In a split second, propelled by love and desperation, I step in front of Mikhail as the gunshot rings out. A white-hot sledgehammer slams into me, and I shriek as I fall to my knees.Mikhail screams my name. His voice echoes through the building as I crumple onto the concrete floor. Someone yells something that I can't hear over the ringing in my ears. An intense, searing pain radiates from my side as I gasp for breath. Stingi
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MikhailAn arc of comfortable armchairs remains empty in the doctor's living room while I pace the narrow hallway. Anton and Pavel watch me walk as they lean against the wall, their posture compacted to avoid accidentally brushing against me. There's an open frown on Pavel's face as he waits for me to finally lose it and explode. Anton doesn't make direct eye contact, though he warily watches my every move from the corner of his eyes.They have nothing to worry about. I caused this. I'm the reason why Maria was shot.The door to the private surgery opens, and the grim expression on Dr. Belova's face confronts me. Behind him, his wife hurries to the open door before I can rush into the room. Maria's soft whimper places me on the edge of sanity and my body vibrates with anxiety.But in an instant, the wide door is shut, a lock is thrown, and I am unable to reach Maria.A thick lump forms in my throat and settles in the pit of my stomach."What's going on?" I shout at him. "Is she all ri
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MikhailIt's rare for me not to be in the city when the sun rises. I always wake up two hours before dawn, but not today. I haven't been able to sleep at all. Pavel and I sit in the waiting room, mentally blocking out the irritating voice of the overenthusiastic morning host on a TV bolted to the wall.My gaze is unfocused as I stare out the large windows at the morning light. Bands of orange accent the mauve sky as the sun peeks its top over the horizon. My toes tap the floor rapidly as I wait for an update on Maria's condition. Anton stands outside the window, smoking all his cigarettes."Try to rest, Mikhail Ivanov." Pavel frowns at me with concern and apprehension. "I will wake you when they call her name."I can't sleep. I can't even close my eyes. When I do, all I see is Maria collapsing to the floor of the vacant building. I see the flash of blinding light in front of us as she dashed to step in front of me. Her body jolting as the bullet struck her torso. I see her falling to
Arranged To The Bravta King 100
Mikhail"She took a bullet for me, Lara." My throat tightens. "Her own father shot her.""Because she loves you, Kolya." Her voice is soft, but the edge is there. She pauses for a moment and drops her voice even lower. "What about the baby? Anything?"Shaking my head, I stare into Larissa's eyes and feel the sting of tears stabbing at my nose. "I don't know, Lara." My voice is thick as I confess. "I don't know. They haven't said a damn thing to me."She reaches for my hand and squeezes it. I blink my tears away, only to see hers brimming in her eyes. I want to tell her more. About how my duty has driven me further away from anything resembling a true human connection. And that Maria shone a light into the darkest corner of my mind. But I'm afraid that if I turn away from the Bratva in favor of Maria ... or even look away for a second ..."The doctor said she'd pull some requests for an ultrasound." I look down at my watch. It's been almost an hour. How hard can it be to find a goddamn
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MariaA sharp pain in my side causes me to wince as I gradually turn, tucked in a strange bed. A ray of sunlight sneaks past the tightly closed curtains, and I place my hand over my eyes to shield it. I'm not sure if I'm ready to wake up. My brain strains to figure out what's happened and blames it on a nightmare. But it's real because I feel like I've been rolling around in hell.I don't know where I am.Panic tightens my body, which makes the pain worse, as my mind races through possibilities. I know I'm not in the penthouse or Holtsville. Did the brigadiers abduct me again?I let out a low moan and close my eyes tight, wishing I could go back in time.My eyes close again, and I wince as the pain stabs into my side, but I stop squirming when a strong hand rests on my shoulder.I open my eyes and find Anton standing over me with an alarmed look on his face."How are you feeling?" His dark brows join together in a worried frown."Where am I?" I ask.He smiles as if I'm being silly. "W
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Maria"I'm sorry," I whisper to end the silence.Mikhail pulls back, but his hands stay on me, gently cradling my face. "Why are you apologizing, Maria?"I hesitate because there are too many things to list, and I'm afraid that the look in his eyes will turn to ice if I tell him everything I've done to hurt him. But I didn't mean to do those things. I grimace in pain as I try to sit up again. This could've easily been him and not me. It could have been so much worse.Mikhail holds me until I stop trying to move. "Maria, don't. You have to heal for the baby."I nod. "I should've told you. I should tell you the truth."Mikhail sits down in the chair beside my bed. He seems heavy with responsibility as he looks at the photos again before placing them on the bed."You were scared," he says. "It's like you said. You want to love me, but you don't know if I want to love you. But things will be different now, Maria, especially after we marry.""Is that still happening?" I whisper.His gaze t
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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
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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
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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
