The lie works. Minutes later, I'm escorted through familiar hallways as dozens of eyes track my every move.
These men once considered me a brother.
Now they wait for the order to kill me.
Alessandro stands behind his desk when I enter, his face filled with fury. "You have thirty seconds to explain why I shouldn't kill you where you stand."
"Valentina can't marry Maksim. It's a death sentence."
“You came back to sing that same song and dance?”
“He’s going to use her to get to you. He’ll torture her, and what you do or don’t do will reflect on you. You’ll look weak either way.”
His jaw clenches. “Did Luca tell you that? I know you went to him.”
“Luca didn’t have to tell me anything. I’ve watched Maksim. He’ll take great pleasure in violating your sister, humiliating her in front of you and everyone else. And what will you do? Let him get away with it to keep the peace? Will you let him continue to drag you around by the balls?”
Alessandro's hand slams onto the desk. "You watch yourself.”
“Why? I don’t work for you. I’m here because no one else seems to want to fight for Valentina.”
“And how do you plan to do that besides disrespecting me in my own home?”
"Let me kill Maksim."
Alessandro stares at me, his gray eyes calculating. “That solution leads to what we’re trying to avoid.”
"I'm no longer part of your family," I say, hoping I’ll get through. Although it won’t matter. Maksim is as good as dead regardless of what Alessandro does. "I'll be seen as acting alone. A jilted lover seeking revenge. Maksim's men will come for me, not you."
"That's insane," Alessandro scoffs. "The Bratva would see through it."
"Not if I make a scene. Not if I go unhinged, wild with jealousy." I lean forward, desperate for him to understand. "I'll attack him publicly. At the ceremony itself. Everyone will see a man destroyed by passion or seeking to take back what he’s obsessed with, not a calculated hit."
Alessandro studies me, but I can’t read his expression. "You genuinely love her, don't you?"
"Enough to die for her."
He thinks for a moment, but then he shakes his head. "It won't work. The Bratva will still blame us. They'll still come for blood. One death won't satisfy them."
"Then satisfy them with mine."
Something shifts in his eyes. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying after I kill Maksim, you kill me."
33
VALENTINA
I’m numb inside. I’ve lost all hope that anyone will help me. I’m on my own to save myself and my baby.
I stand just outside the main room where Maksim, a minister, and a few people wait for me to enter.
I’m dressed in white, knowing Maksim will make a sneering comment about not being worthy to wear the pure color.
Under my white dress, my knife sits strapped to my thigh.
I have no illusions that I’ll be successful, but what choice do I have?
