Page 115 of Bratva Menace

He frowned. “I have a lot of connections in the Bratva. I haven’t heard anything about a war happening.”

And he never would. It was an internal war. One between us and my grandfather. No one else needed to know. If the other crime organizations knew we were fighting amongst ourselves, they might see it as the perfect opportunity to strike and try to take us down for good.

“Just because you haven’t heard of it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Blue,” I said, picking a color and continuing the game. I wasn’t concerned Cedric would blab about that. He didn’t do anything without Lyla’s approval.

Cedric put down a blue eight and pursed his lips. “I’ve known Lyla her whole life, and it took me seeing you two together to realize she has never truly been herself. That she’s been living a lie. Don’t break her heart.”

I stared at him. He stared at me back, silence reigning between us. I put down my last card—another draw four—winning the game.

It all seemed to click in his head then. “You cheated.”

“Yep.”

“You always cheat.”

“Yep.”

He shook his head, laughing. “Rematch.”

We played a few more rounds of Uno, me winning every single one—we’re not really surprised, are we?—before switching to poker. We chatted the whole time, just talking shit and the topic of Lyla. Me leaving didn’t resurface, which I was thankful for.

We were halfway through our third game of Texas Hold ’Em when a sound made us both stiffen.

“What was that?” I asked, looking around the lounge room.

Cedric’s brows lowered in confusion. “I don’t⁠—”

BOOM!

The house shook as an explosive ripped through the front door. Cedric went flying. The concussive blast slammed against my body, sending me hurtling into the couch, causing it to tip over. Disorientation washed over me, followed by pain.

Ow. What the fuck?!

Smoke filled my vision. I coughed, a hand flying to my chest. Jesus Christ, that hurt. I sluggishly got to my feet. Soldiers piled into the house, squeezing through the hole in the steel roller doors, armed to the tee. One after the other after the other. I looked around for a weapon, my eyes catching on the poker for the fireplace. I felt like shit, but I had no idea who the soldiers were or what the fuck they were doing there. Arming myself was critical to being able to defend myself.

I picked it up and went to swing at the first soldier within reach⁠—

“Lukyan!”

The poker stopped an inch away from the soldier’s head at the sound of my name. I looked behind him. “Father?”

Standing in the foyer, dressed in military gear was my father, Autumn at his side, wearing identical clothing. Relief washed over my father’s face as he looked at me. The poker dropped from my hands and clattered to the ground in my shock.

What?

The soldier moved away, and my father was right there, ramming into my body and wrapping his arms around me in the biggest bear hug.

“Thank God,” he whispered, squeezing me tighter.

I choked, a flare of pain shooting through me.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” He let me go instantly. “Are you okay?” He asked, concerned.

“I’m fine. Just, that blast knocked me on my ass.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. We had no choice. It was the only way to get in quickly.”

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Autumn said, giving me a hug.