Page 79 of Cruel Russian Pakhan

“Of course I did. As did your brothers…and mine.”

I looked up, just in time to see the cleanup, the men moving methodically, putting final bullets into anyone still twitching on the ground. The air was heavy with smoke, gunpowder, and blood.

Had both families come to a truce? I could only pray it would last.

But tonight? Tonight was a start.

I buried my face in Lev’s chest, clinging to him, tears in my eyes. Grateful to be back in his arms, surrounded by family, where I felt safe. His hand cradled the back of my head, and for a brief moment, the world around us melted away.

Then, a gunshot cracked through the air and Lev hissed sharply, and his body jolted. I heard Marten swear somewhere behind us.

Startled, my eyes flew open. I saw a thin dark line of blood slowly soaking his shirt along his upper arm.

“Lev…” My voice caught, brittle with panic.

But right then, Artyom's voice rang out. Behind Lev I saw his brothers’ guns raised. My heart lurched as I spun in Lev's arms.

Artyom stood a few feet away, his gun raised.

Pointed at Lev.

“Katya, we’re leaving. Now.”

My blood turned to ice.

“W-what are you talking about?”

Behind Artyom, Yegor’s and Zahkar’s guns were also raised. My brothers had their weapons aimed at my brothers-in-law, and my husband.

My husband.

The man I loved.

Terror clawed at my chest. I couldn’t lose him, not now. Not when I was carrying his child.

I placed a trembling hand over my stomach and met Artyom’s gaze, refusing to look away.

Lev and I weren’t the perfect married couple, not yet, but I clung to the hope that we could be. And for that to happen, I had to stay by Lev’s side.

Yes, he was Bratva. Yes, he was dominant and fierce. But he was mine. And I’d come from nothing, scraped my way through hell. Now that I finally had something worth fighting for, I wasn’t about to give it up.

If I wanted this life, I had to protect it.

I had to protect him, even from my own brother.

There was no way I was stepping aside. No way I’d let Artyom take the shot.

I shifted slightly, positioning myself, aligning my head with Lev's heart. If Artyom wanted to take him out, he’d have to shoot through me first.

“Step away from him,” he growled. “We’re leaving. I’m taking you home.”

Lev’s grip tightened on my hips, like he was afraid I'd actually leave. I knew with one wrong move, it could all go to hell. And if I survived, the person with the most to lose was me. But I had to try.

I straightened my shoulders.

“No,” I said, firmly. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Katya…”