Page 121 of Vendetta Vows

"Your father beat his wife," she says quietly. "Your brother raped his."

"I am neither of them," I growl, fists clenching at my sides.

Mother looks at me, such profound sadness in her eyes that I nearly look away.

"No, you've somehow become something worse." She touches my cheek, a feather-light caress that somehow hurts more than a slap. "You're willing to bring in an outsider to be brutalized after you've done it once already. You're willing to let another innocent girl be hurt for your own selfish aims."

"This is different," I protest, but my voice sounds hollow even to my own ears.

"Different how?" Mother challenges. "You couldn't protect Leslie. What makes you think you can protect Aurora?"

"You're wrong, Mother. Iwillprotect her," I growl, standing my ground. "No matter what it takes."

"And what happens when this war with Semyon claims Tamara's life? Have you thought about that?"

My jaw clenches tight enough to crack teeth. "Why should I care what happens to Tamara?"

"Because her children will care!" Mother steps toward me, voice sharp as a blade. "Do you think Mikayla would ever forgive you if her mother dies because of your vendetta? Do you think Stella would? Or Sofia?"

The truth of her words stings, but I can't back down. Not now.

"Semyon has already made his move." I lean forward, voice dropping low. "When I went to find Aurora after Mikhail was killed, there was a Mikonov hitman trying to killher."

Mother freezes, her lips parting in shock.

"No matter what you think, no matter what I do, Semyon has set his sights on our bratva. And Gregor will never let him take it. This war is coming whether I act or not."

Something in her eyes makes me pause. A sheer desperation. Then her legs simply give way beneath her.

I lunge forward as she collapses to the floor with a broken sob, catching her before she hits the ground.

"Mamechka!" I cradle her against my chest, terror gripping me as I feel how fragile she's become. When did she grow so thin? So small?

Her fingers clutch my shirt as she weeps, not the controlled tears of a bratva matriarch, but the raw, devastating sobs of a woman who's lost a son and grandson in the span of days.

"I can't lose you too, Lanchik" she whispers against my shoulder. "Don't make me bury another son."

"You won't,Mamechka," I say, softening my tone. "I swear it."

I cradle my mother until her sobs quiet to shuddering breaths. She pulls away, wiping her eyes with a dignity that only she could summon after breaking down so completely.

"Are you serious about protecting this girl?" she asks, voice still trembling. "Or is she simply a means to an end?"

The question stings more than I'd like to admit. Is that how others see my relationship with Aurora? Simply a strategic move?

"I'm serious about protecting her." My voice comes out rougher than intended. "More serious than I've been about anything in a long time."

Mother studies my face with those perceptive eyes that have always seen straight through me. "What is it about her that has you so enamored, Lanchik? What makes this woman different?"

I search for words, trying to articulate feelings I barely understand myself.

"She's..." I pause, running my hand through my hair. "She challenges me. Not just my position or my power, butme."

Mother's expression softens slightly as I continue.

"She sees things others don't. When Mikayla was lashing out, Aurora understood immediately that it wasn't anger but fear. While I was ready to assert control, Aurora knew to give her space."

I think about Aurora standing on her own against Tamara's glares, about her gentle hands comforting my nieces, about her fierce determination even when terrified.

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