81

Chapter 32
Misha
“We’re fucked,” Alek says as we watch Viktor climb out of an armored G- Wagon.
“Yep,” Armani agrees.
The head of the bratva straightens his suit jacket, then he glances around him before taking the steps up to the front doors.
I should’ve called Tiana and told her I love her.
“We’re fucking fucked,” Alek says again, but this time worry laces his words.
“Let me talk to Viktor. I’ll take the fall,” I say, wanting to keep my friends out of this. Not able to hide in my suite, I mutter, “Let’s get this over with.”
Leaving the room, I feel like a man on death row.
This is it.
This is how it feels to have minutes left.
The color drains out of the world, and the light fades as shadows creep in – as if death is already reaching for me.
When we turn up the hallway where Director Koslov’s office is, I stop and glance at Armani and Alek.
“Thank you.”
Alek shakes his head while Armani keeps his eyes on me.
“Thank you for being the best fucking brothers a man can ask for.”
“Shut up,” Alek hisses through clenched teeth, sorrow tightening his features. “You’re not dying today.”
“Armani, drag him out of the office if you have to,” I mutter, then I walk toward my chamber of death.
When I step inside the room, I hear Armani and Alek right behind me. My eyes lock on Viktor, who’s standing by Director Koslov’s desk with his back toward us.
He takes a deep breath, and letting out a sigh, he turns to face us. For a long while, he just stares, then he shakes his head.
“I had to leave my pregnant wife because you decided to disobey a direct order from me.”
I don’t move. I don’t nod, and I certainly don’t dare say anything.
Viktor pulls his weapon out from where it’s tucked into the back of his suit pants. “Christ, I had high hopes for the three of you.”
I love you, Aurora.
Viktor looks down at the floor, and I watch as he thinks, then he says, “Who’s going to take the bullet meant for Abigail Sartori?”
Before I can react, Alek steps forward. “I will.”
I grab Alek’s arm and yank him back. “No! I will.”
As Alek’s lips part, Armani grabs him in a tight hold and starts to wrestle him toward the door.
I keep my eyes on Viktor as I bite the words out. “I will take the bullet.” “The fuck you will!” Alek shouts as he fights against Armani.
Viktor’s expression darkens as he snaps, “Enough! All three of you, on your knees.”
Reluctantly Armani obeys, and when my brothers kneel beside me, my mind reels, unable to come up with a way to save them.
Viktor gives Alek a look of warning. “Quiet.” He takes a moment to look at each of us, then his eyes stop on me. “I gave you my blessing, and this is how you repay me?”
When he remains quiet, I figure it’s now or never. “I take full responsibility, Mr. Vetrov. It wasn’t my intention to disobey your orders. They were shooting at all of us, and we retaliated. But the blame falls on me. I’ll take the punishment.”
He lets out a heavy breath, and raising his arm, he trains the barrel of his gun on Alek.
Waves of shock ripple over me. “Please,” I beg. “It was me. Punish me.”
Viktor’s eyes snap to me, then he says, “I am punishing you.”
The sound of the gunshot is the loudest thing I’ve ever heard. Alek falls back, and I hear a roar of absolute devastation coming from the darkest place in my chest.
My body reacts by itself, my mind too stunned to comprehend what just happened. I grab hold of Alek’s shoulders and yank him to me.
NoNoNoNo.
I lock eyes with the man that’s closer to me than a brother, and there are no fucking words for what I feel.
“Oops,” Viktor sneers. “I missed.”
The words don’t register immediately, but then Alek mutters, “I’m okay.”
He pulls out of my hands, and I see the blood staining his left shoulder.
He’s not dead.
“Let that serve as a warning. Next time I won’t be so merciful,” Viktor says as he shoves his weapon back into the waistband of his suit pants.
Alek is alive.
It feels like I’m having an out-of-body experience as I turn my head to look at Viktor.
He walks toward us and demands, “Get up.”
I rise to my full height until we’re eye-to-eye, then he says, “Get Caruso and his partner to submit or put a bullet in their heads. Only then will I forgive this temporary moment of insanity you had. If you get the men to yield, you’ll marry Aurora D’Angelo to ensure the truce holds. You have three months. If you don’t meet the deadline, you and Aurora will pay for it with your lives. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.” I let out a slow breath. “Thank you for your mercy.”
Viktor lifts his arm, his fingers wrapping around the side of my neck. There’s a flash of emotion on his face. “Don’t disappoint me again, Mikhail. Don’t make me take your life. It brings me no joy.”
I nod, so fucking thankful all of us get to live another day. “I won’t, sir. I’ll get the job done.”
He nods, then he pats my shoulder before walking out of the office.
I turn toward Alek and Armani, then we move as one and grab hold of each other.
“Christ, I’m going to die of a heart attack if I have to go through something like this again,” Armani mutters, pure relief coating his words.
“I’ll get the job done,” I promise.
“Guys,” Alek chuckles. “I’m kinda bleeding.”
“Shit.” Armani is the first to pull back. “Let’s get you to the infirmary.” When we walk out of the office, I say, “I’m just going to make sure
Aurora doesn’t run into Viktor.”
“Bring me a clean shirt when you’re done,” Alek asks.
Nodding, I leave my friends and jog down the hallway. As I reach the foot of the stairs, Aurora’s coming down them.
“Go back to your suite,” I say, my voice tight from all the tension.
She gives me a confused look. “Why? I’m meeting Abbie for lunch.” Her eyes flick to the left, then all the blood drains from her face. “Oh,
Jesus.”
As Aurora freezes halfway down the stairs, my head snaps to my right, and I see Viktor looking at her.
He steps closer. “So this is the woman who has one of my best soldiers disobeying me.”
It’s not a question. He knows everything about Aurora, right down to her blood type.
My heart drops to my fucking feet as Aurora rushes down the rest of the stairs. My arm darts out, and grabbing her, I yank her against my chest.
“Wait,” she says, her tone terrified. “Let me talk to him.” I shake my head hard. “No. Go to your suite.”
“Let the woman speak to me, Mikhail,” Viktor orders.
Christ.
I don’t let go of her, but instead, I tighten my grip on her arm. She gives me a reassuring look, then turns her eyes to Viktor. “I just want to say thank you for giving us your blessing.”
Viktor takes a couple of steps forward, and tilting his head, he asks, “My blessing comes at a price, Miss D’Angelo. Either your father submits or he dies.”
Her eyebrows knit together as she nods. “I understand.”
“If neither happens within the next three months, I’ll take your and Mikhail’s lives. There won’t be a second chance.”
Aurora gasps as she grabs hold of my hand. She blinks for a moment as she processes the words.
“I wonder, Miss D’Angelo. Who would you choose if I held a gun to Mikhail’s head?”
She doesn’t hesitate as she answers, “I choose Misha.” Her voice cracks over the words. “I’ll always choose Misha.”
The corner of Viktor’s mouth lifts. “I’m glad to hear that.” He turns toward the front doors of the castle, then pauses. “I look forward to your wedding.”
When Viktor walks out of the door, Aurora glances up at me. “Wedding?”
Letting out a heavy breath, I tug her into my embrace and hold her tightly to my chest. “Yeah, a lot has happened since the attack yesterday.”
“Is that why you were so worried? Because Viktor was coming today?”
I nod as I inhale her scent. “Yes, but we’ll talk about it later. I need to get a clean shirt for Alek. Viktor shot him.”
Aurora pulls back, frowning up at me with shock. “What?”
“I just need to check in on Alek, then I’ll tell you everything.” “Ah…okay.”
When I take a step toward the stairs, Aurora grabs my hand. “I’m coming with you.”
“You were on your way to meet Abbie,” I remind her.
“She’ll understand if I don’t join her for brunch. You’re more important.”
Her words act as a soothing balm for my heart that’s been put through the wringer the past twenty-four hours.
Lifting my other hand, I take hold of her chin and kiss the living hell out of her.
I get another chance to love this woman. Thank God and all that’s holy.