Page 113 of The Bratva Enforcer and His Virgin Bride

Lukyan’s face hardens into pure stone as he stands up, looking down at one of the fallen men. He uses his boot to kick over the dead man’s wrist, revealing a specific, tactical comms unit blinking on his vest.

“This wasn’t random,” Lukyan says, his voice flat and freezing cold as he looks back at Maxim, who is already picking up the tactical case containing the books. “They knew the exactgrid. This isn’t to warn us. He sent a clean-up crew to bury us in this locker.”

Fear grips me, tight and unyielding, threading through my veins like ice. The reality of how exposed we are crashes down on me all at once. Karl isn’t just watching us from afar; he’s right on our heels, anticipating our every move.

“He’s closing in,” I whisper, my voice trembling as I look at the smoke clearing in the corridor. “We have to move quickly.”

“We’re moving,” Lukyan says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I let him lead me quickly out of the shattered storage unit, stepping over the fallen men, and straight back to the armored car. The guards form a tight, impenetrable perimeter around us until the doors slam shut. I can only finally breathe when the tires screech and we’re driving off, speeding away from the warehouse district. At least the books are safe.

Before I can say anything else, Lukyan reaches out and drags me across the leather seat toward him, wrapping his large arms securely around my shaking frame.

“Come here,” he murmurs roughly against my hair, holding me so close I can feel the steady, powerful thud of his heartbeat. “You’re safe, Sofia. Nothing will harm you. I’ll protect you with my life.”

Listening to the absolute certainty in his voice, surrounded by his warmth, the terror in my chest slowly begins to recede.

I believe him.

Chapter 24 – Lukyan

The moment we enter the hotel lobby, I see Sofia breathe a sigh of relief. But I don’t. I’m immediately greeted by a dozen of my elite guards, all standing at attention, their expressions locked in rigid vigilance. My eyes scan the perimeter, looking for one specific face.

Ben isn’t here.

A cold knot forms in my gut. It’s highly unusual for him to miss my arrival like this, especially after an ambush. He’s supposed to be standing right at the entrance, briefing me the second my boots hit the marble. It’s how we always move. It’s our protocol.

I step into the private elevator with Sofia and Maxim. I’m completely silent as the elevator shoots up to the penthouse. The hum of the machinery does nothing to calm the roaring instinct in my chest telling me that the board has just shifted again.

When the doors slide open at the top floor, four more guards are waiting for us in the corridor. They lead us into the sprawling penthouse suite, tracking the corners with their eyes, and certify that the entire space is secure the moment we enter.

I turn to my wife, placing my hands on her trembling shoulders. “Go in and rest,zaychik. Get some sleep. You’re safe here.”

She looks up at me, a sudden wave of panic widening her beautiful eyes. She grips the lapels of my coat. “Where are you going? You’re leaving?”

“I need to talk to Ben,” I say, keeping my voice low, smooth, and entirely steady to keep her from spiraling. “I assure you, Sofia, you’re completely safe in this room. I’m just going down for a few minutes.”

She searches my face for a long second, her bottom lip quivering slightly before she nods. She lets go of my coat and walks toward the master bedroom.

The moment the bedroom door clicks shut behind her, the warmth leaves my face. I turn on Maxim like a predator, grabbing the front of his vest and pulling him down to my eye level.

“If anyone so much as breathes in her direction, you put a bullet in them,” I whisper, my voice vibrating with raw, lethal promise. “You protect Sofia with your life, Maxim. If I come back up those doors and she has a single scratch on her, there isn’t a corner of this earth where you can hide from me. I’ll be back immediately.”

Maxim doesn’t blink. He nods sharply, his jaw tight. “On my soul, Boss. I’ll watch her. No one gets past this living room.”

I let him go, turn on my heel, and step straight back into the elevator. When I reach the ground floor, I march up to the security desk, my coat billowing behind me.

“Where’s Ben?” I demand, slamming my palm onto the marble.

The guards exchange a tense look. “He went to his personal quarters as soon as he arrived a few minutes ago.”

“Take me to his room. Now,” I command.

Two of my men lead the way, moving quickly down the corridor until we stop outside Room 102. I step forward and grab the handle. It’s locked.

I lift my fist and knock loudly against the heavy wood. “Ben! Open the door. We need to talk.”

Nothing. Total silence from the other side.