Page 51 of Daddy Brigadier

“Last I checked, I don’t need your permission to sleep with a man,” I mutter quietly. “You’re not my mom.”

“Clearly, because if you had asked, I would have warned you to stay away from Valentin,” she says, her eyes fixing intently on the collar encircling my neck.

I tilt my head slightly. “Really? Aren’t you the one who slept with the enemy?” I point out that she was the highest-ranking woman in the cartel, who fell in love with a Bratva Brigadier, ultimately marrying him and becoming the mother of the future Brigadier.

“That’s the past.” Her eyes give me a silent warning, a scolding message that I’m out of line.

“Why is it okay for you? You get to do whatever you want, while I’m stuck following arbitrary rules you create?”

“Because I’m trying to protect you,” she snarls, her eyebrows furrowing as if I’m just another one of her subordinates.

“I don’t need your protection,” I snap, lunging forward, pinning her against the door frame with my hand around her throat.

See, Elise, I’m more like you than you think.

She eyes me a moment before dropping her shoulders and letting out a resigned sigh. “I wanted to check on you, that’s all.”

I roll my eyes. “I think you’re a few years too late,” I respond, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the nerves clawing at my throat.

“Maybe,” she whispers, her voice small and broken.

But then she stands straight, stepping closer, her eyes piercing into mine. “I need to know what Petrov did to you.”

I instinctively pull back, shielding my face with my hands to mask the fear I can’t bear to show. “What did Valentin tell you?”

“Nothing specific—just that he might have hurt you,” she responds, her tone filled with genuine concern.

“That’s none of your business,” I respond firmly, my jaw set tight as I let my clenched fist fall to my side.

“I can help you. Ivy is looking for him,” she insists. “I promise that if he hurt you, he’s dead.”

“I don’t need your fucking help,” I yell. “Stay the fuck away from me.”

I can handle this on my own. I don’t need her protection. I don’t need her to hunt down Petrov. This revenge belongs to me alone. For once, I can save myself.

“I’m a mom now, and I just thought …”

I offer a shitty smile. “You’re confusing me with someone who gives a shit.” My stomach drops as the words catch in my throat.

I turn away from her, standing at the edge of the bed, my hand around my throat, trying to steady myself. Tears well up in my eyes, but I blink them back.

I glance over my shoulder and notice she’s not backing down. She stands her ground, arms crossed and feet firmly planted.

It’s time to get the fuck out of here!

As I prepare to leave the room, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, noticing the collar snug against my neck. I walk to the nightstand, unfasten it, and place it there, both my hands trembling with reluctance. Despite my desire to hold on to this beautiful piece of jewelry, it’s all too apparent that I must let it go and tear myself away from the man who gave it to me.

I walk past her, my shoulder brushing against hers, feeling the tension rise in my body. A mocking laugh escapes her lips as I quicken my pace, eager to leave her and this toxic conversation behind.

Down the hall, I glance back, and there’s Elise, still standing there, glaring at me. Her posture says it all.

Loser.

Unworthy of her love.

Inferior to her and Ivy.

And she might be right.