Page 141 of The Darkness is Calling

– I guess the agreement between the Lord and Bratva has collapsed, hasn’t it? And you’re the only one who benefits.”

My heart clenches as I say the words, shaping the beginning of a truth that could be extremely dangerous and painful.

“Is that why you stopped the wedding?” I ask, my voice trembling. “To reclaim your supremacy in the area without bringing all Bratva onto the territory you’d already gained?”

His face is unreadable. Not even a flicker of indignation at my accusations or a glint in those cold eyes that might offer me even a drop of comfort. At least he could argue with me...

I feel like I’m falling into a dark abyss.

“And if that were true?” he says.

My heart tightens, and an agonizing pain pours through my body.

“No...” My voice breaks, and my hands begin to tremble. I clench the feathered fabric of the dress in my fists, even though the blood, still wet in some places, stains my palms.

“If you did this, I’ll hate you even more, for the rest of my life, and I’ll kill you with my own hand while you sleep.”

He comes closer, leaning toward my face. He exhales heavily, letting me glimpse a thread of anger.

“Not even five minutes have passed since you promised me you would trust me, and you’re already failing the test.”

I feel as if my heart is about to explode.

“What test?”

“Do you really think I would turn against the organization I grew up in, the one my family belongs to, for money and power in a territory that isn’t even my home? I have enough power as it is. And this partnership would have brought me even more advantages. Absolute power across all of Western Europe and a great deal of money. But I destroyed that partnership because you are more important than all of it. Bratva will find other partners. We’re already in negotiations with the Irish. The Emirates support us. Everything is going to be alright. But another woman? I don’t want one.”

He presses his lips to my ear and continues, whispering. “I will reorganize the entire world for you, dusha moya. I’ll set it on fire and rebuild it so no one will ever dare take you from me again.”

Then he pulls back to look into my stunned eyes.

“Did they really believe I would allow this wedding to happen after I told them you were mine? Why do you think my father didn’t come?”

“What...? I thought he was in the cathedral.”

“He wasn’t. No Vor has come after my discussion with them.”

“And they let you destroy the wedding?” My shock, or rather the absurdity of the entire situation, reaches colossal heights.

“Of course not.”

“Artem! Did you turn the whole Bratva against us after today?!”

I feel the panic return, but he answers me with the calmest, brightest smile possible.

“Almost.”

If I hadn’t already been sitting, my legs would have given out right then. Desperately, I run my fingers through my hair, bending forward until my forehead almost touches my knees.

“Bloody hell! They’re going to hunt us and torture us like thieves.”

But I feel his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to lift myself slightly. Down on one knee, he is in front of me again, caressing my face before taking it gently between his large palms.

“You’re doing it again. If you break your promise to trust me one more time, I won’t tell you anything anymore.”

His eyes narrow, as if he is thinking.

“Now I’m starting to understand why my father never told my mother about the organization’s operations. She probably reacted just like you.”