Page 92 of Auctioned to My Bratva Boss

"Listen up, Bykov." He licked his cracked lips. "The starting bid for this auction item—first, full control of the Southeast Asia routes. You sign the transfer documents right now."

"Second, publicly announce the Bykov family is withdrawing from the Eastern European market."

"Meet those two terms, and I'll return your little lover and those two bastards in her belly, good as new."

Blood rushed to my head.

"What, won't do it?" Veronica sneered. Her wrist moved.

A line of blood appeared on Riley's jaw. Riley's whole body shuddered in pain, those blue eyes brimming with tears, but she still shook her head at me. Even now, she was stubborn enough to break my heart.

And I had to watch her bleed, powerless to stop it. That feeling hurt ten thousand times worse than if the knife were cutting into me.

"I agree."

The moment I spoke, Veronica smiled with satisfaction. Victor immediately signaled his man to hand over documents.

My attention stayed locked on Riley. The instant Veronica relaxed, Riley suddenly moved, tipping backward in the chair. Veronica crashed to the floor.

Now. I raised my right hand, making a gesture toward the rooftop across the way. A bullet shot toward Victor. The rat reacted fast, dodging at the last second and rolling behind a column.

The sniper's first shot missed killing him. But it was enough—I heard more gunfire outside. Soon, my men would have this place surrounded. In the confusion, I vaulted onto the stage, lunging for Veronica.

Before she could react, I'd locked onto her wrist.

"Matvey!" She cried out in pain, dropping the knife.

I snatched it, rushed to Riley's side, slashed through the ropes binding her, then ripped the tape from her mouth.

"Riley!" I pulled her into my arms.

"Matvey..." She sobbed. "I'm sorry... I misunderstood you... I..."

"Riley, you never need to apologize to me." I pressed her face to my chest.

I breathed in the familiar scent of her hair, felt her real breath against my chest. I'd never been as aware as I was right now of how desperately I wanted to protect this woman.

Which is why I had to leave for a moment—the rat still needed dealing with.

"Wait for me. I'll be right back."

I'd barely taken a few steps when Victor emerged from behind the column.

"Watch your woman go to hell, Matvey." He snarled, aiming his gun at Riley behind me.

Time slowed. I saw him pull the trigger, saw the bullet trace its path.

My body moved before my brain could. I threw myself at Riley with everything I had. The bullet tore through my back and out the front. Searing pain spread. When I hit the ground, my head was going numb.

"Matvey, Matvey!" Riley's hands pressed frantically on my wound. "No, don't do this to me!"

The doors burst open. Anton and my men stormed in. Victor tried to fire again, but Anton, leading the charge, shot him dead.

I looked at Riley's tear-streaked face and felt something strange—fear. I'd been injured countless times in my life, but never felt this. I was afraid I'd never see those stubborn eyes again, afraid I'd never get to tell her how much I loved her, how much I loved our children.

"Riley..." I lifted my hand to wipe her tears, but my arm felt like it didn't belong to me.

My vision blurred. Riley's face grew distant. Her voice grew faint.