I squeezed my eyes closed and placed my head on her lap, my shoulders shaking as I listened to Viktor hit Nikolai over and over and over.
“What do you know of love, daughter? You have only ever thought of yourself,” mother scolded, and I nodded in agreement.
“I know, I know, but he is everything to me. Everything. Please help him...help me save him,” I begged through my tears.
“Enough!” Alexander shouted, and I looked up sharply. “He’s had enough. Let him go.”
Could it be that he would risk his position within the Bratva to save his best friend? That he would risk our father’s anger? Viktor stopped hitting Nikola and turned to glance at first Alex and then my father. A sneer rose on his face.
“An insolent daughter and now a disobedient son, Eduard?” he tsked.
My father grew even more furious at Viktor’s taunts, but my supposed husband-to-be seemed to have gone too far now.
“I’d watch your tongue if I were you, Viktor. Don’t push your luck. Your connections only get you so much leeway with my patience. I won’t be treated like a fucking imbecile.” My father glowered at Viktor.
“I’ll deal with this, Katya,” my mother said in a hushed tone, patting my hand. I seemed to have reached her, seemed to have convinced her of my earnest feelings.
I looked back at her, tears still flowing down my cheeks as I scrambled backwards to allow her the room to stand up. She held out a hand and pulled me to my feet, before guiding me towards my father and brother.
Please, Momma.I begged her mentally, my soul calling out to hers.Please save him. Save him for me.
“Eduard, dear husband, I think we should forget tonight’s celebrations,” she cooed, handing me to my brother.
My father looked at my mother, anger still evident on his face, but now he seemed uncertain as to where to direct it. At my insolent brother. His embarrassment of a daughter. At the retch of a stepson. At his interfering wife. Or at Viktor… Viktor who was now so obviously looking down his nose at us all.
And who could really blame him.
We were a mess.
Our family in tatters.
And it was all my fault.
I’d once thought that nothing I could do would compare to Alex falling for Marisha. That I would have a golden ticket to clear my bad behavior, thanks to my brother’s heart.
But falling in love...with Nik.
It was so much worse than claiming a married woman with a stained background. I was the one to break the peace, possibly beyond repair.
“I’m sorry,” I whimpered. “Father, please…”
“Be quiet.” My mother snapped at me before turning her attention back to my father.
I looked over at Nikolai and wished I hadn’t. He was a mess. His handsome face a bloody, bruised and broken wreck. I’d have given anything in that moment to have the boyish, devilish Nik by my side, to have him tormenting and teasing me with his words and hands. I would rewind time and never kiss him, if it meant that he would not be hurt in this way. I gasped and started towards him, but Alexander grabbed my wrist and held me firm at his side.
“Yes, tonight’s celebrations are over, Viktor,” my father said, and my heart leapt at his words. I was free. Thank God I was free from this ridiculous marriage idea. “My daughter clearly needs a good night’s sleep before her big day tomorrow. I’ll deal with this.”
“Like you did earlier today?” Viktor laughed bitterly. He reached into his jacket and pulled out his gun. My father’s men and Alex pulled out theirs automatically. Viktor glowered at them all.
“Back the fuck away from Nikolai.” My brother ordered, his voice shaking with barely contained rage.
“No, I’ll deal with this bastard myself,” Viktor glowered at my brother.
“This will be a mistake you won’t come back from,” my father warned.
Viktor laughed. “Eduard, you need my business as much as I need yours. I’ll kill this bastard and then tomorrow I’ll take your daughter’s hand and teach her how to be a lady instead of this… trash.” He aimed the gun at Nikolai, and I screamed.
“No.” I tore free of Alex’s grip finally and ran to Nikolai, throwing myself in front of him. Nikolai reached for me, his hands on my waist.
