Maria
“A year later, the news of my marriage to Aria Genovesi and my baby was revealed by an envious Alexander to Gennady when I was promoted to Avtoritet. Aria and I were forced to flee from my Long Island mansion, a gift from Gennady to me for loyal service.”
When Dad finishes, he places his face in his hands, hiding his pain, and I rub his back, trying so hard to make him not remember the horrible day I needed to know about.
“I was desperate and turned to Alexander,” he continues. “He was my sworn brother. I asked for his help, unaware of his deceit and jealousy. Alexander offers us his safe house to hide in. I didn’t realize he had ratted me out. Gennady was furious about the deceit, and they hunted us down.
“I’m sorry, Maria, for keeping this secret,” he says, his voice muffled by his hands. “This is why I don’t want you to marry.” He lifts his head and eyes Mikhail, who is obviously angered by what he has heard. “I’m watching you commit the same mistake your mother did.”
“I’m not her. And I’ve learned about my other family, the Bratva, and to accept my place in it … with him.” I swallow hard, gathering my courage. “Dad, I love Mikhail.”
“Love?!” Zakhar’s voice thunders in the room as he glares at me. “Have you not been listening to me? Do you think love will save you? Sometimes, good people don’t win. You have no idea how deeply honor, vengeance, and loyalty to family run in this world.”
Dad paces the room and stops in front of the window again. There’s nothing out there, but I wonder what he sees in his mind. Is he thinking about what he should have done?
“Your mother was equally headstrong about being together.” His voice softens, and there is a flicker of pain in his eyes as he speaks. “We didn’t understand the danger she was putting herself in until it was too late.” His gaze shifts to Mikhail, whose expression is concealed by a shadow. “Marie, I wanted to protect you from this life. I don’t want you to suffer the same fate. I can’t lose you like I lost her.”
I take a deep breath and lift my T-shirt just enough to show him the bullet wound scar on my side. “This is what your world looks like. Don’t pretend that I don’t know.”
Dad stares too hard at my tummy, and his face pales. I lower my shirt quickly, hoping he won’t ask that question. And Dad shakes his head as if he’s questioning his sanity and what he thinks he has seen.
“Dad, I understand the risks.” My words challenge him, daring him to argue further. “It’s too late for me to go back to Holtsville. The Bratva knows I exist. The Lanzzare know I understand whatI am. Do you think either of them will allow me to return to being Maria Rostova?”
The silence threatens to swallow us whole, but Dad finally nods in resignation. “You’re right.”
Relief washes over me, but we’re far from reaching a compromise. I’m not trying for a loving family, but I’ll settle for one that won’t kill each other.
“Maria, promise me one thing,” Zakhar says, his voice laced with tenderness and urgency. “Promise me you’ll be cautious.”
I nod, swallowing hard. “I promise, Dad. I’ll be careful.”
Mikhail’s gaze meets mine, and the intensity of it sends shivers down my spine. I can see the relief in his expression, though he will never admit he wants my father’s approval.
“Zakhar,” Mikhail joins our conversation, “I understand your concerns, but I promise you that I will protect Maria.”
Dad scoffs, raising a hand to silence him. “I have agreed to accept this, but don’t think it means I trust you entirely. You’ll have to earn it.”
“Understood,” Mikhail replies. “I feel the same way about you.”
But before Mikhail can say anything else, Dad’s phone rings, slicing through the tense conversation. He pulls it from his pocket, and his eyes widen in shock as he sees the caller ID. He answers the call, and his face drains of color as he listens to the person on the other end.
“Gunsyn,” he mutters, his voice barely above a whisper. “You bastard.”
“Surprised?” Gunsyn’s chilling words come through the speaker. “The Lanzzare guards are dead, Zakhar. Now, I’m coming for you.”
The call ends abruptly, and my heart pounds against my rib cage like a trapped animal.
“We’re out of time,” Zakhar says, shaking slightly. “I’ve let you down, Maria.”