Page 109 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

"I really love her." I'd never been more serious.

Briony stared at me. Duct tape covered her mouth, but I could see her jaw trembling.

I wanted to take her away from here, back to safety. But that gun was still pointed at her. All I could do was stand there. Crush every impulse deep into my bones.

Wheels rolled across concrete. Vigo emerged from the shadows in a wheelchair. He sat there, white-gray hair slicked back. Time had thinned his body but not the malice in his eyes.

A pistol rested steady in his hand, aimed at my chest.

"Touching confession," he said.

"What do you want?" I looked at him.

Vigo's mouth twitched.

"Give my family back. Return our docks and warehouses, pull your people out of our territory. Every company you swallowed—return them all."

"Done."

Brinny froze.

Vigo narrowed his eyes. "You expect me to believe that?"

"You grabbed her to make me agree, didn't you?"

"I want guarantees."

"She stays here until you have the documents. Once they're signed, you take the money and leave New York." I spoke calmly, like this was a routine acquisition negotiation.

Vigo studied me, searching my face for cracks.

"You'll let us walk?"

"For my woman and child, I'll give you a way out." My gaze fell on Briony.

Not a lie.

If there was no other option, I'd hand over everything they wanted. Money could be made again, territory retaken, traitors eventually dealt with. But there was only one Briony.

Briony's eyes reddened.

Vigo finally laughed once. He lowered his gun, signaled to someone nearby.

"Bring him documents and a pen."

A figure in the shadows moved. The shape behind the second-floor railing drifted toward the stairs. They'd relaxed slightly. That was enough.

I looked at Briony. She looked back. She understood my expression. Her body shifted incrementally toward the right side of the chair back—movement so small it was barely visible.

Brinny didn't notice. She was watching me, victory creeping back onto her face.

I stepped forward half a pace. Every gun rose. I stopped, deliberately pulling all attention to myself.

Briony suddenly kicked against the floor. The wooden chair carried her whole body crashing into Brinny. Brinny let out a short scream and lost her balance.

They both hit the ground. The gun flew from Brinny's hand.

Vigo had already raised his weapon, aiming at Briony.