Page 155

“I am happy, fratello mio.”
I tell him.
He nods at me as he smiles.
It’s small. Pained. But it’s also real.
I raise my hand to wave him goodbye as he gets into his car again, then I turn back around, slipping either one of my hands into Nikolai’s and Mikhail’s, feeling warmth blooming in my chest.
They both help me up the stairs and into the jet.
I don’t hesitate to sink into the chair at once, glancing around to find Isaak in the corner, sipping on a drink.
Nikolai sits beside me, scrolling away on his phone.
Mikhail sprawls on the opposite side, his feet propped up, his eyes locked on me with that playful glint shining in them.
As we take off, I notice Isaak lean back into his chair, his sharp gaze shifting between us all.
When he speaks…it makes my stomach twist with nerves.
“What does the future look like for the three of you?”
There’s a moment of silence.
Being tied down to two men who will eventually lead the Bratva means that things aren’t so simple for us.
I’ve thought about it too—numerous times—but the truth is that things are different now.
What I once considered asnormalis definitely not possible in my case, not when I’m the daughter of a former underboss, and they are the sons of the Pakhan.
My fingers tremble in my lap until Nikolai’s hand covers mine, grounding me.
He brushes his thumb slowly against my skin, wrapping his fingers around each of mine.
I release a heavy breath, wondering what they’ll say.
Nikolai speaks first.
“Our future contains Chiara as our woman—the woman who will stand by our side. Always.” He looks from his father to me, and I notice the way his gaze softens for me. “Not only as the woman we love, but the woman who is part of everything that we are.”
I swallow hard as Mikhail speaks too.
“Chiara will always be there for us…and we will always be there for her. No matter what comes, we’re doing this together.”
Their words immediately ease all of my worries at once.
I didn’t realise just how badly I needed their reassurances until I heard them now.
I won’t be perfect, but I’ll try to do everything that I can, because they deserve it.
And maybe, just maybe…I deserve it too.
Isaak nods slowly, approval glinting in his eyes.
“That isexactlywhat I wanted to hear.” He tells his sons before his gaze shifts to me. “You will be cared for, Chiara. Not just by my sons, but by me too.”
I manage a small, grateful smile in his direction, feeling my throat becoming tight with emotion.