Page 29 of The Last Hope

“What ?” I asked, trying to step into the living room, but they didn’t move. “What ?” I repeated, glaring at them. Roman glanced at Sasha, who hadn’t taken his lynx-like eyes off me.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you like this. What’s going on ?” he asked, and all I wanted to do was slam my fist into his stone-cold face.

“What the hell are you talking about,moybrat ?” I grit out.

His eyes scanned mine, then flicked to my clenched jaw, my fists, before returning to my face.

“You want to hit me, Niko ?” he asked, raising a brow.

Roman stiffened beside us, ready to either break us apart or throw a punch himself—it was hard to tell with him sometimes.

I shoved past them, but Sasha grabbed my shoulder. “These women need help, Niko, we agree on that. But Grigori is right too,moybrat. We can’t afford to get involved in another war with the Italians, not when Minnesota is weakened after Yelsky’s death. We could hide them, send them to Florida…”

I shook off his grip and slammed him against the wall, my forearm pressing into his throat.

“Nikolai,” Roman growled from behind me.

“They’re not going anywhere, Sasha. As long as I haven’t seen that woman’s fingers heal, she stays here. And if you dare go behind my back and try to send them away, I swear, I’ll beat the shit out of you,moybrat,” I said, my nose nearly touching his.

“Well, well, the last time I had to separate you two was a long time ago. I think I even took a hit,” Elif said, stepping toward us.

She placed a hand on my arm, giving me the same look she always used when I was younger. I finally released my brother, who didn’t move, still scrutinizing me. I pushed past him and entered the living room.

Now calmer, thanks to the painkillers, Selina lifted her head from her sister’s shoulder and looked at me with red-rimmed eyes. Her small nose sniffled softly, making me smirk.

“Let’s eat,” I said, nodding toward the dining table.

“Yes, let’s! Before it gets cold,” my sister-in-law chimed in, linking arms with my brothers.

“Sena! Velma! You can serve the dishes, girls ! Roman, could you go get the kids ?”

My brother kissed her cheek and disappeared down the hallway to fetch our nephews, my sons, and Rafael.

I placed the cream in a drawer and pulled out a chair for Selina. She sat without looking at me, I went to take the seat beside her, but Sienna slid into it with a wide grin.

“What a gentleman, thank you,” she said before turning her attention elsewhere.

Elif burst into laughter as she took a seat. I groaned and sat opposite Selina, next to Sasha, who was directly across from Sienna.

Sena and Velma entered the room carrying various dishes. “Selina, Sienna, this is Sena and Velma. They’ve been with us for years,” I introduced.

“Welcome to the Ivanov household, ladies,” Velma said warmly. She was in her sixties and had been hired by my mother.

Sena, who was twenty-four and had been hired by Elif a few years ago, simply nodded shyly.

“Thank you,” Selina replied.

The front door slammed, making both sisters jump, and Grigori strode into the room, only to freeze at the sight before him.

“They’re still here ?” he asked, his eyes darting between the two sisters. “Grigori, please,” Elif pleaded, moving toward him.

“No, Elif. I understand they need help, but that help cannot come from us.”

“We don’t need your pity ! We can handle ourselves—just let us go !” Sienna exclaimed, standing from her chair.

“Sienna, no,” Selina begged, gripping her sister’s arm.

“No ! We’re not abandoned puppies that need saving ! If they hadn’t kidnapped us, we’d already be far from here…”

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