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Yeah, I overstepped and I’m sure there will be words – or a full-blown screaming match – when we get home. But for now, we’ll enjoy the party I spent so much time and money planning.

Starting with grabbing Kat and Flora and dragging them to the open bar. I need alcohol, and lots of it.

Chapter 28

Kato

Dima Sidorov and the rest of the Russian fucks – minus Flora and her shadows – have been gone for over an hour, but I swear I’m still vibrating with rage.

The whole thing had gone about how I thought it would, but it sure as fuck looked as though Dima planned to attack Everest.

The last thing any of us want is bloodshed with so many witnesses. Doesn’t mean I would have hesitated to snap his fucking neck if he’d touched my wife.

And no. Istilldon’t give a shit about the fact it’s not legal yet. Everest Sidorova has been my wife since we were kids, since two months before my twentieth birthday when we all carved our initials into each other’s chests as a permanent claim.

That cock sucker had tried to erase us from her skin, tried to eraseherfrom our lives.

He’ll never again get that chance. Until Dima and anyone loyal to him is no longer breathing, Everest won’t step foot out of the house without a full army of guards.

The beautiful woman in question is currently dancing with Flora and Kat, a glass of something I assume contains alcohol clutched in her hand. She’s had a few, and her cheeks are a little rosy.

Might need to cut her off soon so she doesn’t get sloppy or end up embarrassing herself, and I definitely want her to remember everything I’m going to do to her when we get home.

I can’t believe she stepped into the middle of two opposing factions and requested a formal sit down. Not her right. I will never attempt to change or control her, but she overstepped.

Time to assert my position in this family.

No. I don’t plan on making her bend the knee or sit quietly by looking pretty, but my fiancée speaking on my behalf can be seen as weakness by other leaders. I’m young as fuck to be in this position, and already on shaky ground as it is.

I definitely don’t need any of these old timers thinking I can’t control my woman or that she has my balls stored in her purse.

She’s going to fight me every step of the way. I already know that about her. She’s always hated how women were treated in the mafia families, hated how they are treated more as baby makers for the next generation and pretty adornments to hang off our arms at social gatherings.

That will never be the case where we’re concerned.

Still can’t have her making me look weak, though. If she has something to say, something to add, she needs to do it in private, not with so many others watching on.

“Wrap it up. I’m getting tired,” I tell Maddox.

All three of us are watching her closely, as well as keeping an eye on the remaining partygoers. Those still in attendance are primarily from the younger crowd. The older generation left shortly after Roman and the rest of the Russians took their leave.

“Want me to kick everyone out or just wrangle our girl?” he asks, turning his head to glance at me before looking back towhere Everest is wiggling her ass, her arms over her head, a wide grin on her face.

She looks so…fuck, so happy. So carefree. The wariness and darkness that had been in her eyes when we found her in that shitty apartment is gone.

The girl who has owned my heart for as long as I can remember is back.

Which means tonight is going to be one hell of a fight. The mere memory of her kneeing me in the balls makes them ache with phantom pain. As much as that day sucked, as much as I’ve pissed her off, it’s good to see she’s still the same strong, defiant girl we all know.

While I’m sure she has a hefty level of PTSD, she hasn’t let any of that shit break her. It’s definitely made her stronger, if not a little jaded.

But Dima failed. He failed in killing her. Failed in breaking her.

Failed at taking her away from us.

With a smile, I shake my head. “Let her have her fun. It’s been a rough—”

“Four years?” Maddox finishes for me.