Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
And the entire time, I hadn't stopped thinking about that big, tattooed Italian mafia Capo who saved my life.
For the first couple of days, Dmitry and Nikolai had barely left me alone. They’d given me my one day of peace, quiet, and solitude I needed, but after that, they’d been persistent in wanting to know everything. What happened, who hurt me, and where the fuck had I been until I strolled through my front door that first day back?
There had been plenty of demands from my brothers and a hell of a lot of screaming by me through my bedroom door as I told them to leave me the hell alone.
I knew they were just trying to help, but they were used to getting what they wanted, and no one ever denied them. So me all but saying “go the fuck away” pissed them off and made the situation even worse.
They should have taken notes from Amara because my sister-in-law had given me space and not pressed. But I knew eventually—probably sooner rather than later—I wouldn’t be able to keep my silence.
I sat alone in my room, the dim light casting long shadows on the pastel-colored walls. My room was a sanctuary of sorts, one of the only places I'd truly ever felt safe since being an adult. Growing up, I was filled with a lot of fear of the unknown because of my father.
I sat on the plush settee by the floor-to-ceiling window that overlooked the city, a thick blanket wrapped around me as I stared at the hustle and bustle below.
My mind replayed the traumatic events from last week. I heard every sound from that dilapidated slaughterhouse basement. I remembered and felt every touch from that bastard. God… I’d felt so helpless.
If I didn't find my center, I knew this entire event would be etched into my memory like a scar.
I closed my eyes and controlled my breathing, feeling myself calm and my memories fade to the back, when a loud knock on my bedroom door caused me to jump.
The knock was followed by Dmitry’s hard and deep, unmistakable voice. And it was filled with obvious irritation. “Tatiana.”
I could envision Dmitry saying my name through clenched teeth. I didn’t answer right away, and he pounded again.
“Open the door. We’re going to talk about this. Now,” he demanded, his voice heavy with fury and… clear concern.
I knew my brothers loved me, but God, they could be so dominating and irritating.
I looked toward the door, the reality of the situation crashing down on me, because I knew my time was up.
I wasn’t trying to protect the fucker who hurt me.
I’m protecting Gio.
There were hushed whispers on the other side, and I knew Amara, Nikolai’s wife, was trying to talk her behemoth of a brother-in-law down from the damn ledge he was on right now.
Nikolai would only pour gasoline on that inferno.
Before I could respond, the door swung open, slamming against the wall, revealing Dmitry and Nikolai on the other side, and Amara looking frustrated as she stood right behind them.
My brothers' expressions were hard, their blue eyes blazing with intensity, and I felt a charge in the air.
I was going to suffocate. Again.
“Right here. Right now, Tatiana. You’re going to tell us what happened,” Dmitry growled, stepping into the room with Nikolai close behind him.
I looked out the window, holding in angry tears.
“Tati, we need to know.”
I felt a sudden surge of tension and anxiety as I faced my brothers. Amara came into the room, her expression now worried and unsure.
I took a deep breath, knowing there was no turning back now, and there was no stopping this derailed train.
“Guys, maybe we should just take a breath and calm down,” Amara inserted softly, trying to diffuse the tension.
“Kukolka,” Nikolai said to his wife but still had his focus on me, “this has gone on long enough. Longer than we’d allow anyone else to withhold information from us.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not just anyone, brother,” I spat that last word out. “This is my problem and mine alone.”
A low rumble left both Dmitry and Nikolai. I knew my words were a lie. We were a family. My problem was theirs and vice versa.
“I think we can all agree Tatiana has been through enough. Maybe we should just take a step back and reevaluate the situa—”
Dmitry cut Amara’s words off with a grunt, and Nikolai gave him a warning glare. Dmitry looked at him and exhaled, muttering, “Извини.” Sorry. He tipped his head in respect to Amara. “Retaliation has to be met.”
“You’re our sister,” Nikolai addressed me, his voice sharp. “We have a right to know who hurt you.”
I met my brothers’ harsh gazes, seeing anguish and protectiveness reflected back.
I knew they wouldn't stop trying to find out the truth. They had their own dark code to abide by, and when someone hurt who they loved… death followed.