Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78511 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Same time tomorrow.”
Scrunching my nose, I mutter, “Yay me.”
As I walk away from the crate, I feel a sense of achievement. For the first time since I was a toddler, I didn’t lose my shit from being in a small space.
With a bit of luck and a lot of sweat, I might just be able to overcome this fear.
Chapter 26
Misha
I’m not going to lie, I’m fucking worried.
I haven’t heard whether Viktor is willing to talk with me. For all I know, he’s planning my death.
Christ.
I’ve been distracted the past four days, and Aurora’s noticed.
To make matters worse, I’m no longer training her in combat class. Instructor Nikolai feels she’s on par with the other attendees.
Every time I lay eyes on her, she has a new bruise somewhere on her body.
I fucking hate it.
At least I can still spend time with her during the evading and escaping kidnapping lessons.
She’s able to stay in a crate alone for over ten minutes, and there are no words to describe how fucking proud I am of her.
When I walk into the warehouse, and my eyes lock on my woman, it feels like I can breathe easier.
I head over to where she’s standing with the group and say, “Come on, D’Angelo. Time to shove you into a small space.”
She struggles not to smile, and the second we’re out of hearing distance, she says, “You look stressed.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Mr. Petrov!” One of the guards shout. My head snaps in his direction. “You have a call in Director Koslov’s office. It’s important.”
“Abbie,” I call. “Work with Aurora until I’m back.”
Abbie jogs toward me. “You don’t have to ask me twice. What do I do?”
“Just sit with her in a crate.”
I glance at Alek. “Seal the crate for ten minutes.”
“Got it,” my friend replies.
I jog out of the warehouse and hurry to Director Koslov’s office. The door is already open, and he gestures at an eighty-five-inch screen on the wall.
My head turns, and my blood turns cold as I look at Viktor Vetrov.
Christ, it’s a video call. Now.
“Sir,” I take in a soldier's stance, my hands folded in front of me so he can see them at all times. Right hand over left, so my bratva and mafia tattoos are visible. “Thank you for this opportunity to speak with you.”
“My uncle has kept me up to date with your training. He says you’re one of the best this year.”
I nod at Director Koslov. “Thank you for the compliment, sir.”
Viktor’s young for a bratva boss, but because of his family, he’s able to rule with an iron fist.
When Viktor just stares at me, I lift my chin higher. “I’m loyal to you and the bratva, sir.” Here goes nothing. “With that said, I’ve fallen in love with Aurora D’Angelo.”
I swear an entire minute passes in which Viktor just stares at me again. A bead of sweat trickles down my back.
I can’t tell if he’s pissed off.
Instead of ordering my immediate death, Viktor lets out a sigh. “Okay.”
“Okay? Sir?”
“You’re aware I have a hit out on the D’Angelo family, right?” he asks.
“Yes, sir.”
“Then ask me the question, Mikhail,” he orders. Calling me by my given name, his tone is brutal and unforgiving.
“Will you cancel the hit and give your blessing so Aurora and I can be together?” I take a deep breath, then add, “She’s nothing like Caruso.”
Viktor glances to his left, then his tone completely changes as he says, “I’m almost done, moya malen'kaya Roza.”
Viktor turns his attention back to me. “Are you ready for this, having a woman tell you when it’s time to eat?”
I can’t keep the chuckle from escaping. “I am.”
“And that woman has to be Aurora D’Angelo?”
“The heart wants what it wants,” I answer, then quickly add, “Sir.”
“Indeed it does.” He taps a finger on his desk. “And Aurora loves you?”
“Yes, sir.”
He thinks for a moment. “I’ll give my blessing on one condition.”
The fist around my heart relaxes a little. “Anything, sir.”
“I want Caruso to pay what he owes me.”
Fuck.
“If you can get him to submit to the bratva, you can have the woman.”
How the fuck am I going to get Caruso to give in to the bratva?
“In the meantime, I’ll cancel the hits.” Viktor’s eyes turn to Director Koslov. “Consider this a request to cancel the hit on the D’Angelo family.” Viktor turns his attention back to me. “For the time being. Get the job done, or I’ll be forced to reinstate the hit.”
That means there’s still one out on Abbie’s family. Knowing how much Abbie means to Aurora, I almost request for that hit to be canceled as well, but stop myself in time.
I have no right to request such a thing of Viktor, and I’m already pushing my luck.
“Thank you, sir,” I say, my voice heavy with respect. “I appreciate the chance you’re giving me.”