Page 61 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

"It's over." I patted her gently.

"Sir, can you hear me?" The maintenance voice crackled from the speaker. "The control system malfunctioned. Safety brake has engaged. Please stay in the corner. Don't move."

"What the hell happened!" I stared at the chaotic flashing lines on the display.

"Unable to confirm at this time. The malfunction is more complex than estimated. We're locking down the car's position. Another drop is possible." He paused half a second before continuing.

The last trace of color drained from Briony's lips.

"Maintenance team has entered the external shaft area." He quickly added, "As long as the safety brake holds, the car is temporarily stable. Take care of yourselves. We'll maintain communication."

"We're finished. We're going to die here. Rory will cry. People will just pull two corpses out of this elevator." Her voice sounded torn.

"You're not going to die." I pressed her forehead to my chest, trying to calm her terror.

"You can't promise that." Her voice broke, tears soaking my shirt. "You can order employees around, buy companies, make everyone listen to you. But you can't command a broken elevator."

My heart clenched. She was right. This was reality. We could plummet at any moment and be crushed.

But Briony was terrified, and I had to do something. I cupped her jaw, made her look at me.

"Listen carefully." I held her lost gaze. "As long as I'm breathing, I won't let you die."

"Varlam—" She choked out a hoarse sound.

"I'm getting you out. You're going home. You're going to keep taking care of Rory. Nothing changes."

I watched the light slowly return to her eyes. But I knew she didn't fully believe me. Or rather, she didn't believe we'd survive this.

I lowered my head and captured her lips gently. Her cold mouth trembled beneath mine. I kissed her slowly, gave her air, gave her time, gave her something to hold onto.

Briony's arms circled my neck. When she began tentatively responding with her tongue, I felt like I'd come home.

Chapter Sixteen

Briony

As long as he lived, he'd never let me die. Varlam's promise pressed down on my heart like a weight.

My mind went blank. Would the elevator keep falling? Would Rory wait for me after school and I'd never show? Those questions had been tearing at my nerves moments ago, but now they'd been shoved somewhere far away. All I could feel was him.

His palm cradled the back of my head, the heat seeping through my hair like some kind of hard barrier. I didn't know if he could actually command death to pass us by, but my body had already decided to believe him. Probably the stupidest thing I'd ever done.

His kiss deepened. The nausea from the freefall still churned in my stomach, but his clean breath pushed it down. When I couldn't breathe, he pulled back half an inch, nose against mine. The second I drew in air, he lowered his head and kissed me again, like even my breathing rhythm was his to control.

I should've pushed him away.

Someone could come through that door any second. The elevator might drop again. A woman was waiting for him in his office. Every reason was enough to make me stop. But I threaded my fingers through his silver-gray hair and let him take what he wanted.

I'd always thought safety came from steady paychecks, paid bills, a lit home waiting for Rory after school. It shouldn't come from a man who was too controlling, had a shit temper, and kept too many secrets. But right now, one kiss lifted me out of fear.

I hated the feeling. Couldn't stand to lose it. If we were really going to die, dying with Varlam didn't sound so bad.

My hand slid down, fingertips brushing the hard muscle beneath his shirt.

"Fuck me, Varlam." I gasped it out between kisses.

"You sure?" His voice came out rough.