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32: Desperation

Author: Angelina
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-15 18:28:35

Valentin

My skin was white while I gripped the steering wheel hard, focused on the road ahead.

Our men had a lead on a warehouse in Delaware, believing that was where my wife and child had been taken. Not letting any time slip by us, we set out the moment we heard word of it.

Desperation ran through me, forcing my foot further into the gas pedal. From the passenger seat, Nikolai threw me a look. He did so a few times, watching me.

“Slow down, Valentin,” he warned.

While he was my older brother and superior, I was in the driver’s seat. It was my family at stake, and no part of me cared about speed limits.

The speedometer went up and up, and Nikolai just sighed, seemingly giving up.

It was no use, not when I was prepared to dismember Luca with my bare hands.

Nothing from before mattered. Not Lyra keeping my son from me or her communicating with Luca. It all felt insignificant, knowing they were both gone—taken from my care without warning.

He stole from me enough times already, and I co
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  • Kings Of The Bratva   33: Shoot Him

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  • Kings Of The Bratva   34: Joking Around?

    LyraI couldn’t hear anything through the ringing of my ears. My throat was burning, not realizing I started screaming in the first place. I had never heard that kind of sound come from my mouth before, making me feel like I was having an out of body experience.My heart was in my throat, and my entire body went numb.It couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t be real.Everything happened so fast that I was forced to try and process it all at once.The moment Valentin slumped against the ground in a heap, I yanked away from Luca’s grasp while his one hand remained preoccupied with the gun. Another shot was fired, landing its target with a sickening sound, followed by a body hitting the ground.Not caring about who it was, I sprinted forward, feeling like time had slowed down to a crashing halt. Like I was trapped in a nightmare and couldn’t get away fast enough. I fell to my knees next to my husband, hands on him frantically.Urgently, I reached for the bullet, anticipating blood that wou

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  • Kings Of The Bratva   Epilogue

    LyraSeveral months had passed since everything happened, and Valentin decided we needed a new start.He sold the condo, and we bought a nice townhouse in a lavish neighborhood with everything we could ever need. I tried to tell him that some of his choices were a bit over the top for what we needed, but he insisted he knew what he was doing. I wasn’t prepared to argue with him.Charlie was doing better than ever, going to daycare and mingling with other kids his age. He had both his mother and father in his life and seemed to be flourishing.After he was gone for the day and we returned home, Valentin’s hand was on the small of my back as he led me inside.The door barely closed by the time his lips were on mine.Stifling my giggles in the kiss, I draped my arms around his neck, walking backward as he guided me.“Come, I have a surprise,” he said between kisses, only pulling back while securing my hand in his once we reached the back door that led to the yard.Raising my brows, warm

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  • Kings Of The Bratva   A/N

    And that’s a wrap! Lyra and Valentin got their well-deserved happy ending—no more drama, no more danger… just love, laughter, and maybe a little too much fun in the pool (sorry, neighbors).This story may have been short, but I hope you enjoyed every moment of it! And don’t worry—the next story is coming right up, so stay tuned.Oh, and confession time—I totally forgot to mention this earlier, but Mikhail is now Roman! Why? Because Roman just fits his role better (and let’s be honest, it sounds even more badass). Same deadly, brooding man, just with a name that does him justice. Huge thanks to a sharp-eyed reader for catching that—y’all keep me on my toes!Don’t forget to tell me what you think, drop those gems, and leave your comments—I love hearing from you!

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  • Kings Of The Bratva   ~Book 3: The Bratva’s Captured Desire~

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  • Kings Of The Bratva   1: A Plan Set In Motion

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  • Kings Of The Bratva   2: Taken

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  • Kings Of The Bratva    3: Taken II

    AriaI suddenly couldn't hear the radio over my racing heart.My throat went dry at the sight of them, frozen and completely unaware of what to do.Power and strength emanated from the men with their guns and dark clothes, and it was nothing short of intimidating.I couldn't move, not when I was nearly surrounded."Put your hands up," one of them barked at me, long black hair curling just above his eyes. It was then that I noticed the pistol in his grasp, along with the man standing next to him that looked like a bigger, meaner version of him.Doing as I was told, I put my hands up.I assumed it was a robbery, even if I couldn't imagine what they would possibly want to steal from a pizza place that averaged two customers in a week. Once again, I wasn't paid enough to defend the place with my life.Whatever they needed me to do, I meant to do it so long as I was left unharmed.While I was dedicated to my work, I wasn't dedicated enough to get hurt over it."Now walk out from behind the

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Latest chapter

  • Kings Of The Bratva   ~Book 4: The Bratva's Wildcard~

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  • Kings Of The Bratva   A/N

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  • Kings Of The Bratva   Epilogue 

    - AriaThe bookstore was bustling with people the moment it opened for the evening, and a long line went out the door.The cozy store on the corner lit up the dark street with its warm light, and that fuzzy feeling in my chest was something I had looked forward to since I was a child.Nestled toward the back of the store in bookcases and boxes upon boxes of my own work, I sat, Sharpie in hand while I smiled for my readers.At one point in my life, I never thought I’d be able to say that—my readers. Never thought I’d have the chance to follow my dreams and just write.But stacks of my novel sat next to me while each person approached my pop-up table with their copies.Roman had put Lyra and Enora in charge of organizing the signing and launch party, but it was no secret that Valentin had his input taken into consideration too.String lights twinkled above my head to make the evening feel even more special. Paired with the free hot drinks and food, the rush of energy in the air, and the

  • Kings Of The Bratva   41: Congratulations

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  • Kings Of The Bratva   40: Safe In His Arms

    AriaA pleasant haze consumed me as Roman continued to dote on me, taking the time to carefully wash my hair and free me of that grimy feeling. He even rubbed my neck and shoulders, releasing all the tension left there. His touch was like magic and exactly what I needed.I didn’t realize how tense I had been until all the knots were worked out, and I sat more relaxed in the tub.With my long, even breaths, I felt better than I had in quite some time, in complete awe of Roman and his care. It was like he wanted to make up for lost time, and I didn’t mind one bit.“I could get used to this,” I sighed, eyes closed as he returned his hands to my neck and didn’t let up.He chuckled quietly from behind me. “Don’t worry, massages will be an often occurrence. You say the word and I’ll get to it, or I could hire someone to set up a massage table for you.”Both sounded incredibly perfect. I hummed, “Don’t tempt me.”“Whatever you need. Whatever you want, it will be yours,” Roman promised, dipp

  • Kings Of The Bratva   39: Stand With You

    Aria It felt like having a rock in my gut to finally put that ultimatum on the table, but I knew it needed to be done. I couldn’t sit around and pretend like this baby didn’t exist. Like it wasn’t a critical conversation we needed to have.Roman paused his scrubbing and leaned against the tub, ensuring our eye contact was held. His tone was genuine. “I know that I didn’t react how I should’ve, but I won’t miss out on a second of raising our child. You shouldn’t have to face this difficult thing alone. In fact, you don’t need to return to work or your old life. As long as you let me, I’ll stand with you and this baby until my last breath. I will take care of you both.”My heart swelled at his words, feeling a sort of relief that I hadn’t known in some time. Tears ran down my cheeks as I was overwhelmed by his sincerity.Roman reached out and wiped a tear away with his thumb. He smiled warmly. “I tried so hard to not fall for you. The first time I saw you, I knew it would be nearly imp

  • Kings Of The Bratva   38: I'm Sorry 

    - AriaI never thought I'd miss Roman's house as much as I did until I ended up in that cold basement.The relief I felt upon returning was immense, despite how exhausted I was.I couldn't believe I had been kidnapped again. How had I somehow managed to get caught in the middle of it all? It wasn't ideal, and it certainly wasn't how I had hoped the night would go.But Roman had found me. He risked his life to get me back, and while it didn't fix everything, it was a start.Shaking even as we walked into the warm house, I couldn't seem to get the chill out of my bones.Roman noticed at once, expression riddled with concern. Instead of making me walk another step, he scooped me up in his arms and held me against his chest."Don't worry about anything, I'll draw you a bath."Lacking the energy to fight or say otherwise, I relaxed in his hold, cheek pressed against his warmth.We went down the hall and up the stairs until we reached his master bedroom, to my surprise. I was placed on the

  • Kings Of The Bratva   37: Blood For Blood 

    Roman He paused, pretending as if he were giving it some consideration. He sucked in air through his teeth. “No, I don’t think I will. We both know that would never work.”He wasn’t as stupid as I initially thought. He was right, it would never work. Hence why he wasn’t going to make it out of that basement."We wouldn't be in this standoff if you hadn't walked into our house with your guns drawn," Marco said, expression souring. "For full transparency, you were supposed to wait until we moved her. Until I got my answers and had a little fun. But you just couldn't wait. Why are you the only one who gets to bed your captive? God certainly has His favorites."I clenched the gun in my grasp, losing my patience. "And you can't be killed soon enough."Marco laughed at that, relaxing the blade before securing it against Aria's neck again. She flinched. "You're just mad that I managed to pull off what you failed to do. Teresa had been practically waiting to get abducted. It was the perfect

  • Kings Of The Bratva   36: Standoff 

    - RomanMy gun was aimed at Marco while Dimitri had his pressed against Sal's head, a warning to Marco that his father's life was on the line and that we would waste no time ending it.With his knife pressed against Aria's throat, we were at a standstill.Marco laughed to himself, starting with a low chuckle that built into a full one, amused by it all.It made my blood boil.Aria closed her eyes despite her tears, trying not to move, should she force the blade closer to her skin by accident.Seeing her there, under his mercy, was my worst nightmare. She was innocent to our world, having only exposed herself to it through her novels. Through her passions. Yet, she found herself in the position that no woman in the mafia world wanted to be in. To the Espositos, her capture was nothing more than a tactic to get us to comply, a means of having something over my head. But to me, her being taken meant everything. Her safety meant even more.I hated imagining how scared she was to be taken

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