Page 82 of Caught By the Bratva Boss

“Stay down,” he hissed as even more shots rang out. That was what I was hearing, the sound of gunfire muffled with a silencer. And now that I knew what I was hearing. It filled my ears.

My gut twisted in fear so badly that I almost lost control of my bladder. Someone was shooting up Anya’s wedding reception. Any illusion that I was safe evaporated in a puff of smoke. I wasn’t safe anywhere. I’d never be safe again.

Tears flowed from my eyes and down my cheeks, leaving my makeup in ruins. And the fear was like nothing I had ever experienced.

They had found me. Just like they had promised they would when I was alone and naked in that basement with a metal chain around my neck. When they had hurt me over and over again, they had promised me that they would always find me, and nowhere would be safe.

I couldn’t run, and I couldn’t hide. There was nowhere to go but back to the pits of hell with them.

“Papa.”

The wail of a terrified boy brought me back to reality. Using all of my strength, I forced my head up and away from the sticky floor to find the little boy who had just called for his daddy.

Timothy.

I found him almost instantly, even through the chaos. Our eyes locked. “Timothy.” I shouted his name, but it might as well have been a whisper because the screams and gunshots were suddenly so loud.

“Lily.” He mouthed my name. His face was streaked with tears. Seeing his stricken, terrified face woke something up in me. A fire I thought was long since gone. I didn’t matter. My life didn’t matter. But his did. His and my baby. They didn’t deserve this.

“Get off me.” I tried to shove Daniil off me.

“What?” Confused, he heaved himself up an inch to stare down at me.

“Protect us,” I hissed. “You said you would. So do it.” Crawling from under him, I made my way to his son with Daniil close on my heels. Gathering the small trembling body into my arms, I turned pleading eyes to him.

“Stay together.” Crouching down, he stared into my eyes. “Stay together and stay out of sight. I’ll be back.”

Pushing us under one of the tablecloths, he nodded his head once before he let the tablecloth fall over us.

“Do not come out until I say so.”

I nodded my head, even though he was already gone. I wasn’t going to come out. And neither was Timothy. Huddled together, I tried to shield him with my body.

“It’s going to be ok,” I whispered, even though it sounded like the shots were getting closer and closer together. At any second, I expected the cloth to be yanked up and one of the twins to stare down at me with their wicked grins.

“Lily, I’m scared.” Timothy wailed.

I pressed his face against me. “I’ve got you. Nothing is going to happen. I promise. Just close your eyes, ok? It’s almost over.”

He did what I asked, and I covered his ears with my hands to block out the sound of the slaughter going on around us.

“Everyone is going to be fine,” I said again. All I could do was pray that the universe wouldn’t make me a liar.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Daniil

Taking a deep breath, I held her out at arm’s length. “So Lily.” I smiled down at her confused face. The blue velvet box was weighing down the front of my tuxedo jacket. This was it—the right time. Anya had said I would know when the time was right, and it was right now.

Of course, she had almost spoiled it by squealing when she had first seen us together, but I’d managed to silence her at the last second. I wanted to propose to Lily. I’d been thinking about it for a long time. I wanted it to be perfect. And being here with our friends seemed to be the right place and time.

Yes, I knew people might think it was because she was carrying my child, but it wasn’t that. Not really. I was madly in love with the woman standing in front of me, her little nose screwed up in confusion.

When I had lost my first wife, I had thought I would never love again. I didn’t dare let myself hope that I would ever find a love like the one I had. And then Lily had used my office as her own little sex tape studio, and I noticed her. Hell, I didn’t just notice her, I became obsessed with her.

The way a dimple popped when she smiled, the breathy little way she said my name when I made love to her. I’d do just about anything to keep her with me and keep her safe.

Someone screamed, and the unmistakable sound of a weapon being discharged filled my ears. I moved on instinct alone, flattening Lily under me just as she turned her head to see what was happening. Holding her down, I surveyed the area. It was clear we were under attack, but in the chaos, I couldn’t see anything clearly.