Page 116 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

"But she hasn't chosen you either."

Makar's face darkened.

I pulled my hand back, standing up to block their line of sight. "Can you two wait until the patient stops bleeding before you fight?"

"I'm not fighting," Varlam said.

"Shut up." I turned to Makar. "You too."

"I'm just asking for fairness." Makar stared at Varlam. "Since she hasn't chosen anyone, we compete fairly."

I looked at him, then at Varlam lying in the hospital bed. One with his chest wrapped in gauze, needing nurses to stop him from getting up. The other looking angry like someone stole his toy. I thought this was just talk.

"Whatever you want," I rubbed my temples. "Just be quiet now."

Makar raised his chin. "Deal."

Varlam narrowed his eyes. "I didn't agree."

"Scared you'll lose?"

"Scared you'll cry."

"I can make you—"

"Out." I pointed at the door. "Everyone out. Except the one in bed."

Gleb silently held the door open for Makar. Makar glared at Varlam once, then left.

I didn't understand how stupid that "whatever" was until a week later.

The flowers arrived first. Makar picked a huge bouquet of red roses, delivered straight to my door. A card tucked in the middle.

"Day one of fair competition. Would I have the honor of taking you to dinner?"

Before I could figure out how to respond, a second flower delivery stopped at my door. Not a bouquet. An entire wall of white roses, champagne roses, and gold tulips, too wide to fit in the elevator. Four delivery men had to dismantle the frame to barely get it upstairs.

The card had one sentence.

"Don't say yes to him."

I stared at that familiar sharp handwriting, temple throbbing. I called Varlam. He'd been discharged recently, doctor's orders to rest at home. When he answered, I could hear Gleb reporting in the background. Varlam said "stop," and the other end went silent immediately.

"Do you like it?"

"It's blocking the fire exit."

"You're comparing flower sizes with your own brother."

"Not comparing." His tone was maddeningly calm. "Mine's bigger."

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

A very soft cough came from Gleb's end.

"Varlam. Effort and change don't mean this."

He was silent for two seconds. "You don't like flowers?"