Zoella stood there just past the cell bars, still trembling with wide eyes as she stared at Rurik seated just a few feet away.
“Why?”
Her voice was barely even a whisper, but I heard the question clearly, and the subtle shift on the bench and dark grunt from inside the cell was a sign that Rurik did too.
I knew he wouldn’t speak. He wouldn’t bother giving Zoella an explanation.
That left the responsibility on my shoulders and, though I didn’t want to, I knew I had to say it, no matter how stupid the reason was.
“Yulia being present would have gotten in the way of his new life with his mistress.”
Zoella sank onto one of the nearby benches and slipped her small hands over her bulging stomach like she could shield our unborn child from the ugliness of the reality surrounding us.
“Matvey, I’m releasing you from your promise.” She stroked her belly, and a tear dropped from her eyes. “I don’t want our child to be born into this…this kind of life. I just can’t. My heart can’t bear any more of this violence, the selfishness, and greed.”
I was familiar with the brokenness in her eyes.
The only difference was that I shielded the world from seeing mine. I knew what it felt like to lose people you cared about, and there was that moment you realized that person wasn’t coming back.
That nothing you said, screamed, or begged could undo what was done.
In this case, it was her sister who suffered a terrible fate, and Zoella had no choice but to deal with the void her absence brought.
I wanted to reach for her, pull her into me, and lie to comfort her, to tell her it would all be okay. But there was no comfort strong enough for a grief like hers.
So I just stood there and watched her fall apart without making a sound.
I looked over my shoulder, staring hard at Rurik.
He seemed too calm for a man who anticipated death. We knew better than anyone that actions like his had dire consequences.
I’d killed for less than what he did. I’d buried men who’d only threatened our family without even laying a single hand on us. And yet here I was, frozen by uncertainty.
He attacked my wife and killed her sister.
Still.
My decision was significant because it would serve as a benchmark. I knew it would send a message to the men and the entire Bratva.
I knewwhatcould be done, but wasn’t sure whether or not to do it. Because for the first time, I had to accept that I couldn’t fix this. Nothing could bring her sister back or right the wrong done against them.
Power and influence didn’t mean a fucking thing in this moment. Not when Zoella looked at me like she wasn’t sure how close she should even sit next to me, because my world had swallowed hers whole.
It felt like a punch to the gut.
When I finally found courage to move, I knelt beside her, and our eyes locked when my hand found her stomach.
This moment was something pure that I had never in my wildest dreams thought possible to have.
A wildfire spread violently inside me, and for the first time in years, the weight in my chest cracked just enough to let something softer in.
I felt sharp edges dull, just for her. Just for them.
My face must’ve changed, because she looked at me funny, but I didn’t say a word. The words in my heart felt too heavy to speak out loud, so touching her was the only way I knew to communicate my vow.
I’ll keep you safe.
I lifted a hand to cradle her cheek and felt a bit of reassurance when she leaned into my palm. I raised my lips to hers, did a rethink, and pressed a brief kiss to her forehead before pulling away and rising to my feet.
