Page 13 of Bratva Warriors 1
Chapter Eight
Ilaria broke the silenceas she scoffed.“You sure are full of promises, aren’t you?I really have to wonder what mom ever saw in you.I only hear promises you can’t keep.You never kept your word to her and you’ve never kept your word to us either.At least, Anton was real and he was there every day.Where the hell were you?Oh yeah, you were in a Russian prison because you couldn’t keep that temper of yours under control.”
Artemy glared across the cell area.He was glad there were bars between him and his eldest daughter.“Shut your mouth, girl.You need to show me some respect.”
“Oh, yeah dad, why is that?”Ilaria screamed.“Mom believed in you and you let her down time and time again.She tried to stay with you, she really did but you kept letting her down.Did you think of her when you were with Mario’s mother?Because he’s only a few months younger than I am.So, I doubt it.Mom wasn’t any kind of fool but you made her one.You knew she loved you but you didn’t care about her at all, did you?I remember so many nights she cried for you but you weren’t even there to hear her.So many nights she cursed Sergi’s name when she should have been cursing your name.I grew up hating that man because he had everything.He lived in a big house, had plenty to eat, while we starved because you didn’t provide for us.Then you got sent to prison for killing your own brother.I heard a few years later that you went to him for money and I prayed that you asked him for money to feed your family but then I heard you wanted it so you could eat well and drink in the bars.At first, I didn’t want to believe it but the more I listened the more I knew it was all true.”She sat up and glared at him.“I think that’s when mom did what she had to do for all of us to survive.She went to Anton and asked him to take us into his group.At least, he provided for her and didn’t let us all starve to death.”
Artemy just stared at her as she ranted.
Now staring back at him, Ilaria could see his hatred gleaming from his eyes.It was then when she finally understood that he never loved them.He only cared about what they could do for him.She realized her whole life had been a lie and now she was going to pay for that lie.Her father was a loser and their cause was nothing more than a pipe dream that held no place in today’s society.She even began to doubt Anton's role in this huge lie.Her gaze met Kaylin’s.
Her sister’s expression reflected the same realization.“He used us,” Kaylin quietly said.“He uses every person in his life until they cannot serve him any longer.Mom was no different.Neither was Mario.”
“Don’t you speak his name!”Artemy shouted at her.“He meant everything to me!He was my son.You two are females.You cannot conquer or win against a man!”
Kaylin laughed harshly.
Ilaria did too as she exclaimed, “Really?Well, you Ray and Mario just got beat by a woman!”
“Da, you are so stupid.Why did we never see this low IQ before, sister?”
“We hoped to have a real father,” Ilaria explained.“This guy?He’s a big loser and we just never saw it.You lost, Artemy.You lost.”
Kaylin sighed and said, “No, sister.We lost.”
~*~
Sergi watched the videostream from the cell area and shook his head.He looked up and saw the truth in Nikoli’s eyes.“They finally figured it out,” he said quietly.
Nikoli nodded.“And now they have to face the consequences of their lives.”
“And so will the rest of their group.”
Artem came forward and dared to ask, “And Briar?What will you do about her?She disobeyed your orders.”
Sergi turned to look at him.“Yes, she did.I ordered her to go with the others to the safe house.She could have died tonight, fighting side by side with her family.”He sighed.“But she also stood tall and proud.She fought to help put this insurrection down.”
“Si, she did,” Leon admitted.“And she did her mother’s memory proud tonight.Her mother would have done the same thing if she would have lived.They both have the same fight and fire.”
Felix turned to look at the older man before he asked again, “Just how well did you know my Aunt Magda?”
Leon smiled.“Let’s just say I was honored to know her.”
