Page 63 of Innocent Bratva Twins

My entire body goes rigid, as though someone has pierced ice into my heart.

“No,” I snap instantly.

“Look, I was just saying—“ Radmir raises his hands defensively.

“No,” I say again, this time with less aggression. “I can’t let her go, man. I care about her too much.”

Radmir nods, pulling his mouth tight, and when I look into his eyes, I can see that he understands.

“We’ll help you keep her safe, then. We’ll figure this out, okay? And if anything happens—if you need backup at any point—call.”

“I will. Thanks, man,” I say, filled with relief.

He walks away, and I follow him out to my car. Even if she doesn’t want to talk to me, I can at least be around for her.

Maybe she’s calmed down enough to have a conversation.

The drive home is long and slow. I think I’m making it that way on purpose because my mind is so busy, and I want it to clear before I get to her. But it won’t be clear until the danger is gone.

The conversation with Radmir has left me with a very alarming understanding of where my heart is.

I never want to let her go.

I never want to lose Serafina.

She belongs at my side, in my life, with me.

Losing her will tear me apart.

I push the front door open and step inside, my ears attuned to every sound, but there are none. The quiet hum of the fridge, the heating, the wind against the windows—but other than that, I hear nothing.

“Sera?” I call out, closing the door behind me.

I hear her sigh.

Then her footsteps as she walks through the penthouse towards me.

“Did you have a good day?” I ask, and as soon as the question is out of my mouth, I regret it.

She rolls her eyes and tightens her mouth. “Oh, it was amazing. Stunning. Lovely. Thanks for asking.”

“Sorry,” I mutter, feeling like a fool. “Can we talk?”

“About what? Shall we go over everything that happened? How did you trick me into working for your company, which is actually a money laundering business for the mafia? Do you want to talk about that? Or maybe you want to talk about how you’ve been taking me to these lovely places, spoiling me and treating me like a queen, but it’s all with money made through criminal activities? Blood money? Have you murdered people, Nico? Are you a killer? Who are you? What are you capable of? Is anything that you told me real?” She’s so angry she’s got his fists clenched into tight balls at her sides.

Her neck is tense and the muscles across her jaw are pulling tightly.

Her eyes are flooded with dark rage, and if she could, she’d be shooting daggers from her eyes, straight into my heart.

I’ve hurt her.

I’ve hurt her so badly that I’m not sure it’s repairable.

“Sera, we can talk about all of it. You can ask me anything. I don’t want to hide anything from you anymore.”

“Anymore.” She snorts with laughter and tilts her head back. “What a relief. Except how can I trust a single word that comes out of your mouth, Nico?”

“I care about you more than you could understand. I was trying to protect you.”

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