Page 96 of Married to the Don (Kornilov Bratva Duet 1)

Viktor

Ithought I was putting out Fedor’s fires before, but now I am literally putting out fires. My businesses are burning.

Four different motels that also operate as stash houses are on fire. Not only is it bad for business, but people are dying. Innocent people.

Three of the motels were mostly empty because they were under construction when Fedor and the Mazzeos struck, but one of them was half full and six people aren’t accounted for yet.

This is all my fault. I should have killed Fedor when I had the chance. I shouldn’t have let him live after what he did—kidnapping Molly, turning his back on me, and joining with the Mazzeos. He offered up information about my Bratva, and I let him live. I wanted to give him an honorable death.

Too bad he’s not an honorable man.

One of the guards I had watching over Fedor at the hospital was a double agent. He pledged his loyalty to Fedor and then remained within my ranks as a mole. How many more men has Fedor turned? Who can I trust?

I run a hand down my face and turn back to the now-smoldering remains of the back half of the motel. Firefighters are digging through the remains in search of bodies, but they say it could take all night. Still, I don’t want to leave. Not until I know how many are dead.

Molly will be okay at the apartment. She has George there and several guards.

Briefly, the idea that the guards stationed at the apartment could betray me crosses my mind, but I push it away. If something had happened at the apartment, I’d know by now. Molly would have called.

Unless she couldn’t …

I tug on my hair and then press the heels of my hands into my eyes. An hour ago, I was about to propose. I was seconds away from dropping to one knee and asking Molly for her hand in marriage. And now?

My feelings are the same, but I can’t propose to her on the same night my brother essentially has risen from the dead and brought me to my knees.

Fedor ruins fucking everything.

When my phone vibrates, I expect it to be Petr calling with news from the other motels, but instead it’s George.

I answer calmly, hoping the rush of adrenaline I receive at the sight of his name is just an overreaction. A side effect of my overworked imagination.

“You need to come home,” he says, voice low and serious. “It’s not good.”

I get enough information out of George to know that Fedor was in my house. He was in my house. With Theo and Molly.

He tried to hurt my family.

* * *

I don’t start breathing againuntil I walk through the door—guarded by George and his rifle—and see Molly sitting on the couch.

“Molly!” I rush towards her. As I round the edge of the couch, I see the small leather bag at her feet … and Theo sleeping next to her. He has his shoes on.

That stops me. I freeze and tilt my head to the side. “What is going on?”

“Fedor came here. He …” She shakes her head and swallows down a sob. “He tried to take Theo. George scared him away.”

“Shit, Molly.” I drop to my knees next to her and grab her hand. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here. George said the guards watching the house were paid off. They deserted you, and I’m going to kill them for it. They won’t live through the night.”

“Were you going to propose to me tonight?” she asks suddenly.

The sudden question stuns me, keeping me silent for a moment. Then, I nod. There is no sense denying it. “I was. Just before the call came in.”

She sighs, her lower lip trembling. “I thought so.”

“We still can.” I bring her fingers to my mouth and kiss her knuckles. “Fedor doesn’t have to ruin everything. We can still be happy. Fuck him. Let’s get married. For real. We can elope or have a big wedding or … anything. Anything. I just want you and Theo. That’s it.”

I didn’t think it made sense to propose to her before, but now it feels like this could be the perfect way to respond to Fedor’s threats. He thinks he can waltz into my house and tear my family apart. Well, he can’t. We will stay strong. Stay united. United against him.

---