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Nikolai chuckles.
“Aren’t you tired of these empty threats? It’s not like you even have the power to be able to do anything.”
His tone isn’t condescending—it’s a fact.
His words are a cold truth that’s been delivered with causal menace.
Because even if he wanted to—and I know that my brother desperately wants to—he can’t.
Nikolai and Mikhail…they are Bratva…men in training to become Pakhans.
And Dario…my brother isn’t even a soldier.
It wouldn’t end well if he even tried to do something.
“Guys.” I mutter as I squeeze Nikolai’s hand, and Mikhail’s thigh too. “Please don’t do this now.”
Dario’s eyes dart to mine.
His jaw tightens further as both Nikolai and Mikhail raise my hands, pressing their lips against my knuckles.
My face burns brighter.
“Do you really like being with them?” I don’t miss the way his voice cracks on that last word. “After everything that’s happened?”
I nod my head at him, feeling my heart twist even tighter in my chest.
Before I can speak, Mikhail leans forward, one forearm stretched along the table.
“We didn’t plan for any of this,fratello.We had no idea that Chiara was involved in this world of ours.” The Italian rolls off his tongue, so familiar, yet also mocking, all at once. “But sheisours now, and there’s no doubt about it. Nikolai and I willalwaysprotect her—better thananybodyelse can.”
Dario glares at Mikhail, jaw ticking as he scoffs slightly.
“Is that a threat or a promise?”
My brother shoots back, eyes narrowed at him.
“It’s both.”
Nikolai says from my side, his voice smooth and steady.
It only makes Dario glare at them both even harder.
The storm brews in his eyes—wanting to fight, wanting to scream—but something holds him back.
Me.
As his gaze meets mine, it softens just a fraction.
He exhales sharply, rubbing the back of his neck as he swallows hard.
“She’s my little sister.” He whispers brokenly. “Sorellina mia. How can you expect me to be able to hand her over so easily—and to the Bratva of all people?”
I take a sharp breath in, shaking my head.
“You’re not handing me away, Dario. This ismychoice.”
He mutters under his breath, still unable to see how much these two men mean to me.