The Final Hour (Volkov Bratva #3)(70)

“I thought I could handle it, knowing the truth about what you were dealing with everyday.” She shrugged. “I don’t think I can anymore.”

His hold tightened for a moment, like he was afraid of what she might be saying, but when she rested her hands on his arms, he relaxed. “I never wanted this for you. I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy, when I’m with you.”

“I can’t tell you not to worry for me, you will anyway, but if I was ever in any real danger, you will know. I give you my word.”

Smiling, she squeezed the arm he had around her waist. “How’s Alex doing?”

It had only been days since Mishca had told her about what Alex had done. She had tried calling, but Alex hadn’t answered besides sending a text saying she was fine. Lauren couldn’t imagine what Alex was going through, but did wish that she could help.

“She only tells me she’s fine. I’ve apologized for the way I acted, tried to be there for her since Anya…but I think I’m the last person she needs to see at the moment. Luka volunteered to look after her until I can get her to come around.”

“Good.”

While it seemed to escape Mishca’s mind, it was clear enough to Lauren that Luka cared for Alex, and she didn’t think there was anybody else that could help her the way he could. But she didn’t think that Mishca would approve of him with Alex, not with how protective he was over her.

She only hoped that it wasn’t too late to help Alex.

“I need you to promise me something,” Mishca said suddenly, his eyes intent on her face.

“Anything.”

“Promise to trust me. Promise that you will let me decide what’s important for you to know. Can you do that for me? And I promise to keep the ugliness of my job out of our home.”

Lauren thought about it, living in that world of blissful ignorance. She knew that she would probably think of the worst possible scenario when in reality, it was nowhere near as bad.

She could accept leaving it as just a thought.

“Yes, I’ll trust you.”

“Good. Now, are you done worrying?” When she nodded against him, he kissed her forehead. “Then come back to bed.”

Smiling against his cheek, she looped her arms around his neck. “You never did carry me over the threshold, you know.”

Chuckling, he placed an arm beneath her legs, easily lifting her off her feet. He took his time carrying her over the threshold into their bedroom. In these moments, just short bouts of time, she remembered why it was all worth it.



Watching her sleep had become a new past time for him, but this time, as he watched her chest rise and fall, he wasn’t filled with content. Mishca was respected when he met with people he did business with. His name alone struck fear in men twice his age. If he couldn’t protect the one person that meant the most to him, then what did all of that matter?

What Mikhail had said was true. Loved ones brought a risk, but what he failed to realize was, it was just as much a risk to Mishca as it was to Lauren. And frankly, Mishca was tired of the rules that governed his life.

He had made his decision when Lauren accepted his name, and he was going to do right by her. The only way he could ensure a smile stayed on her face was to end the threats against them once and for all.

He might not not have been able to forsake the vows he had taken to the Bratva all those years ago, but he would make damn sure his enemies wished he had.





Find a place inside where

There’s joy, and the joy

Will burn out the pain.

-Joseph Campbell





Laying on the couch, laptop resting on her legs, Lauren was busy looking through med school applications when Mishca came through the front door. It was weird getting used to her life with him. Before, she had school most days and only spent a few nights together, or there was a threat that kept them apart, but now that that was all over—at least until she found a school—she now had to get used to him being around more often.

She wasn’t complaining, she actually loved it when he spent the day with her, but there were days when she still couldn’t believe this was her life.

“Where’ve you been?” She called to him as he came closer. “You were gone when I woke up.”

With a kiss to her forehead, he dropped down beside her, pulling an envelope from his pocket, handing it over. It was vanilla in color and was hand-addressed to Mishca. Looking at it curiously, Lauren pulled out the card inside, the thick stock paper heavy in her hands. It was an invitation to an event a woman named Lucia Cortez was hosting.

“You’re going to Brazil?” She asked looking from it to him after reading the time and place.

“No,” he said plucking it from her hands. “We’re going to Brazil. Two nights, Marco sent his plane.”

“Wait,” Lauren sputtered with a laugh. “We can’t just leave the country.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” Well she didn’t really have a very good answer to that. “And who is Lucia Cortess or Marco?”

“Cortez,” he corrected her pronunciation. “Lucia is the ex-wife of Marco.”

“I don’t understand.” Lauren looked back at the invitation. “Why would she invite you to a party where she’s selling her jewelry? I mean, unless you’re into that kind of thing, Mish.”