Page 30 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

Chapter 9 - Benedikt

With the fire no longer burning, the flames doused by the extinguishers, gray smoke is slowly blowing out of the warehouse and the air is beginning to clear.

The destruction is becoming easier to assess.

We’ve been working non-stop for two hours now, getting the injured workers out of danger’s way, moving the dead bodies to one corner of the warehouse, helping those that we can.

Everyone looks shocked, but we are all working together to do the best we can. My medical team has a truck parked out front, and they are tending to the emergency cases before sending them off to the hospital.

We’ve managed to save a lot of men who would otherwise have died. But we also lost a lot of men. Seven lives.

Seven fathers, sons, brothers, husbands. Seven people died today because of Miron, and I want to destroy him.

I keep seeing Ulyana, working tirelessly, passing me, running back in, helping anyone and everyone.

I’m furious that she’s here. I don’t understand why she’s here. But I’m so grateful that she is, because she’s been responsible for countless men getting out of the danger zone.

I’m blown away by her courage and determination to help my workers.But why was she here?

Jadon walks towards me, filthy, covered in dirt and blood and ash.

“That’s the last of them. Those who need to go to hospital have been taken. The ones with minor injuries are mostly sorted. The total loss was seven,” he says gruffly.

“Seven,” I sigh, happy that it didn’t go up since he last reported. “Have we run a check on the rest of the warehouse to make sure there are no other explosive devices?”

“Yes, but I’ve told the men to do a second sweep now and also to check the cars.”

“Good. Is the coroner on the way?”

“Yes, sir. Everything is covered. I, um, noticed that Ulyana was here.”

I sigh, shaking my head. “I don’t know what she’s doing here.”

“She was at home when I left this morning.”

Clenching my jaw, I stand with Jadon, both watching her.

“She’s been incredible,” he mutters. “She helped so many people.”

“I’m going to get her home. Is there anything else you need from me before I leave?”

“No, sir, I’ve got it under control here. I have a second team of fresh men arriving in about ten minutes to take over so we can send the first team home. They’ll finish the clean-up.”

Thanking Jadon, I walk towards Ulyana.

She sees me coming and stands straighter, turning to face me.

She is covered head to toe in grime. As filthy as every other person here, and yet she still looks absolutely gorgeous.

“Benedikt,” she stammers as I step close.

“What are you doing here?” I growl, staring down at her. My concern for her safety has suddenly risen back to the surface,no longer distracted by the urgency of everything else that I needed to do.

“Can you please just take me home?” she says, her voice shaking.

“Not until you tell me what the hell you were doing here, Ulyana. You didn’t tell me you were going to visit me today. You can’t just roll up, not knowing what you’re walking into. Look around you—this isn’t a safe place.” I’m shouting, and she’s hanging her head low.

I grab her chin and force her to look at me.