Page 114 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

My answer came too fast. Makar's eyebrow twitched, like he was trying not to laugh. Varlam didn't get angry. He just looked at me, something rare and guilty in his eyes.

"I've known Brinny for many years." He said. "I thought I owed her an explanation."

My fingers tightened, nails digging into my palm. That name could still hurt.

"Keep going," I said.

Varlam saw the nail marks in my palm. He reached out like he wanted to touch me, but stopped his hand on the sheet.

"I didn't know what kind of person she was then."

"You made me feel stupid." I stared at him. "Like some little girl bought off with a few promises."

"You're not."

"But that's how you treated me."

"Yes."

He didn't make excuses. One word, heavier than any explanation.

"I'm sorry, Briony."

His voice dropped.

"Not because things got out of control. Not because you were taken. Because I hurt you, and I knew you were already scared, but I still chose the easiest way out."

I looked at his wound. Thick gauze showed at the edge of his hospital gown. Makar hadn't said a word the whole time. He leaned against the wall, face getting darker. He'd wanted to say something countless times, but in the end he just listened.

Makar didn't like his brother sitting here asking me for a chance. But he knew Varlam had earned the right to finish.

"The Vasiliev family is gone completely." Gleb's low voice came from the window.

I looked at him.

Gleb's expression didn't change, as if he was discussing a finished file. "Everyone at the warehouse was taken into custody. Their accounts, locations, operations—all seized. The ones willing to talk stayed. The ones who weren't won't be seen again. Every channel Vigo left behind is sealed. He has no family to return to, no one who'll work for him anymore."

My stomach twisted lightly. Even without understanding, I knew what "gone completely" meant in their world.

"Even so, it doesn't matter." His mouth held no smile. "You're already with Makar."

Makar straightened immediately. I froze for two seconds.

"Makar and I aren't together." I couldn't help laughing. "I didn't say yes to him."

Varlam's pupils contracted sharply.

Makar's face changed. "Briony."

The air in the room felt vacuum-sealed. Varlam looked at me, something unguarded lighting in his eyes for the first time. Not victory, not possession. Hope. It made my heart soften. It also scared me.

"But that doesn't mean I forgive you," I added.

That light stopped.

"I understand." Varlam was silent for several seconds before speaking.

"You took a bullet for me. You protected me with your life. I know it wasn't planned, wasn't for show. You didn't have time to calculate the cost in that moment, so I believe your feelings were real." My voice started shaking. "But one bullet doesn't erase everything before. You getting hurt doesn't mean I have to forget how I got hurt."