Page 55 of Bratva’s Vow (Bratva’s Undoing #2)

He sobbed. Not the loud kind. The broken kind. His knees buckled a little under him, and for a second, I thought he might collapse entirely.

“What kind of monsters are you?” he whispered, eyes drifting from me to Sergei, then back to me.

I didn’t answer. Because I didn’t care what he thought of me. Wren’s life was the only thing that mattered.

“Is that why you came here?” I asked coldly. “You finally got angry enough to follow Archie’s orders? You want to carry out your little revenge by taking Wren from me?”

“No.” He shook his head frantically. “I packed a suitcase and left my house because I was scared. I didn’t want to be home if Archie came back. I thought if I hid at a hotel, maybe I could avoid—everything. But then I came here because… I had to find you. I needed to tell you the truth.”

I let him go, and he slid down the wall like a marionette with its strings cut.

“You expect me to believe after learning I killed your husband, you came here to warn me?”

“He hired the housekeeper,” he said, still breathing in ragged gulps. “He said nothing else he’d done to drive a wedge between you and Wren worked, so you pushed him to do it.”

I clenched my fists.

“He was upset that it took so long for the poison to work, but the housekeeper said when he started feeling sick, Wren stopped drinking the tea because he didn’t have any appetite.” He pulled his knees up to his chest. “That’s probably the only reason he didn’t suffer worse.”

“You think telling me this now because we found out about your working with Archie will save you?”

He lifted his head, a hard glint in his eyes.

“You don’t have to believe me. But it’s why I’m here.

I didn’t want this. I didn’t ask to be involved in any of it.

But you didn’t see him tonight. He has no intention of stopping until Wren’s dead.

Even if I didn’t do it, he’ll find someone who will. That’s why I came here. To warn you.”

I studied him, the way his shoulders hunched, the whiteness of his face. He always walked around the hospital with such confidence, but now he looked fragile, defeated.

“I’ve taken care of Wren since you brought him here,” he said softly. “Because I see myself in him. He didn’t sign up for any of this. He was pulled into a twisted game because of the man he loves. Just as I was.”

I locked my jaw and shifted my gaze to Sergei, who was frowning.

I raised my eyebrows. Did he believe what the doctor said?

He shrugged, looking hesitant for the first time since I knew him.

Sergei was one who preferred to err on the side of caution.

The Sergei I knew would have said, “Let’s get rid of him anyway. He knows too much. He’s a liability.”

“If everything you say is true,” I said, voice flat, “then prove it.”

Leo looked up at me. “What?”

“Help me get Wren out of this hospital. I want him at the best hospital where he can continue his treatment. Where do I start?”

He nodded slowly. “I have a friend who handles private medical evacuations. Elite-level. ICU-grade care onboard, full flight staff, complete discretion.”

“Get him on the line.”

“It won’t be cheap,” he added.

“Money’s not an object. Make the call.”

He stepped into the corner and fished his phone out of his pocket, his hand shaking. I watched him carefully, but something in his expression—tired, hollowed out—told me he wasn’t bluffing .

I turned toward Sergei and jerked my head, leading him a few paces away. We kept our voices low.

“What are we going to do with him?” I asked. “Let him go?”

Sergei shook his head. “No. Not until we have Archie in the ground.”

I narrowed my eyes. “We should probably terminate the doctor. Quietly. It can be merciful.”

Sergei frowned. “Maybe that’s not necessary.”

“What’s with you?”

He didn’t answer. That alone set off warning bells. Sergei always had an answer.

“Do you really want to kill the guy who risked his life to warn you and is actively working to get Wren to safety?”

I looked at him closer. “You believe him?”

Sergei avoided my gaze. “I think he might be the only reason Wren is still alive. You killed his husband, but he’s saving yours.”

I said nothing. I didn’t like it. Didn’t trust it. But Sergei had a point. Leo had every reason to stay away, but he’d come back.

“So what do I do with him?” I asked finally.

“Leave him to me,” Sergei said. “If he has any intention of hurting you or Wren, I’ll find it out. And I’ll handle it.”

Leo ended the call and turned toward us. “He said they can have a fully equipped evac team here in two hours. I’ll start the paperwork and prep for transfer immediately.”

I gave him a curt nod, then nodded to Sergei. “Follow him.”

Leo raised both hands. “Wait. You can’t follow me around the hospital. People will stare.”

Sergei arched an eyebrow and smirked. “Then think up a story, princess,” he said coolly. “Because I’m not letting you out of my sight. ”

Color rushed into Leo’s cheeks, and he muttered something under his breath as he strode toward the door.

Sergei caught my gaze one last time and nodded. He’d watch him. If Leo made one wrong move, he wouldn’t live to regret it.

I turned back to Wren.

Two hours.

Hold on, solnyshko. Just a little longer.