Page 150 of Vendetta Vows

"Funny." She gestures broadly at the opulence around us. "I always thought producers lived in Malibu or Bel Air, and not some fortress way outside the city with armed guards." Her head tilts. "Unless there's something you're not telling us."

Aurora tenses beside me. "Hannah?—"

"No,zarechka," I say quietly. "She's here now, and she deserves the truth." I meet Hannah's unflinching gaze. "You're right, Ms. Voight. I'm not just a producer."

"No shit."

"I am the pakhan of the Dragunov bratva."

I watch Hannah's eyes widen, fear and confusion battling across her face as she processes what I've just told her. She steps back, bumping into one of the antique side tables as if trying to physically distance herself from the truth.

"You're serious?" Her voice rises an octave. She whips her head toward Aurora. "Tell me he's joking."

Aurora squeezes my hand once before releasing it to move closer to Hannah. "It's true, Hannah."

"Jesus Christ." Hannah presses her palm against her forehead. "You married a mobster? What the hell, Aurora?"

I remain still, allowing Aurora the space to explain to her friend. This conversation isn't mine to dominate.

Aurora hesitates, and I give her a small nod. She deserves to have someone who knows everything. Someone who isn't part of my world.

"We didn't just get married because we wanted to, or because he forced me." She guides Hannah to one of the plush chairs in the foyer. "Ruslan is in the middle of a succession crisis."

Hannah's brow furrows. "What does that even mean? Like, royal family drama but with guns?"

Despite the tension, I nearly smile. Her assessment isn't entirely wrong.

"Something like that," Aurora confirms. "After Ruslan's brother and nephew were murdered, there's a power struggle over who will control the bratva."

"And how do you fit into all this?" Hannah demands, her eyes darting between us.

"Ruslan's nieces—his brother's daughters—are in danger," Aurora explains. "Others want to use them as pawns through marriage. They're just children, Hannah."

Hannah's face softens slightly at the mention of the girls.

"Our marriage would protect them," I interject quietly. "With Aurora as my wife, I have the authority to bring my nieces under my protection. And now that they're here, no-one else can use them as bargaining chips."

Hannah stares at me, her initial fear giving way to calculation. She's smarter than she lets on, in spite of her ditzy exterior persona.

"So it's a marriage of convenience?" she asks, her eyes narrowing.

Aurora's gaze meets mine, something unspoken passing between us. We both know it's become much more than that.

"It started that way," Aurora admits. "But somewhere along the way, it turned into something more."

"Wait." Hannah holds up both hands. "Are you telling me you actually have feelings for each other now? Like, real feelings?"

Aurora blushes. "It sounds crazy, I know, but?—"

"It is not crazy," I interject. "Sometimes life brings two people together at exactly the right moment."

Hannah snorts. "Yeah, or trauma bonding."

"It's more than that." Aurora's voice grows stronger, more certain. "I feel safe with him, Hannah. Not just physically protected, but... seen."

Hannah's skepticism softens as she studies Aurora's face. Despite her bravado, I can see she's frightened. The slight tremble in her hands and the darting glances at the armed men visible through the windows.

She's trying to be strong for Aurora, but this world terrifies her as much as it initially terrified my wife.

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