Chapter 15
Fifteen
Aria
I sit hunched over my desk, paperwork scattered around me as I try to focus on the latest test results. The harsh fluorescent lights of my office cast an unflattering glow, but I’m used to the clinical atmosphere by now. This is my domain, my sanctuary—the place where I fight to save young lives.
A knock at the door startles me for a moment. “Come in,” I holler, curious to know who has decided to see me.
I look up to see my father and brother Dmitri standing in the doorway. Their imposing presence immediately puts me on edge. “What are you two doing here?” I ask, my voice laced with wariness.
My father steps forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over me. “We have news, Aria.”
Licking my lips, I point out the obvious. “Can’t it wait? I’m working, and I really need to get back to it.”
He shakes his head. “No, it’s about the attack on your wedding.”
I feel my heart race at the mention of that horrific event. “What is it?” I ask, my fingers gripping the arms of my chair.
Have they figured out who was behind it? God, I hope so.
Dmitri clears his throat, his usually stoic features betraying a hint of emotion.
“I’ll put this bluntly. Before you, there was another woman Maxim’s family was looking at as a potential wife.
Apparently, his father had eluded to the fact Maxim would marry her, but instead they chose you. Her family was furious.”
“I bet they were,” I mutter, not understanding why I was chosen in the first place.
There’s so much political bullshit behind every decision in the Bratva, and I never wanted to understand it before.
Although, now I don’t have much of a choice.
My husband will be the leader of the Bratva at some point.
I search their faces, trying to gauge if this is true. “Are you saying this was some sort of jealous revenge plot?”
My father nods, his jaw set in a hard line. “That’s exactly what we’re saying. This was personal. I think they wanted to kill you, so she’d be back on the table.”
Dmitri pipes up, “If you died, Maxim would still need a wife. But, I don’t know if the family is truly behind this. It could be the woman. From what I’ve heard, she’s reckless.”
The revelation hits me like a punch to the gut. I lean back in my chair, mind reeling. “I can’t believe this…someone was actually trying to kill me.”
I had thought maybe the attack was on Maxim, but it’s clear to me now that I was the target.
I take a steadying breath, understanding that things will only continue to be this intense for the rest of my life. There’s no way out of this for me, and attacks on my life could be my new normal.
As a doctor, I’ve dedicated my life to caring for others, to giving hope and healing where I can.
But this...this attack on my life is something else.
I’m not a bad person. I’m a good person…
but no one cares about that. All this person—or her family—cares about is the fact I’m married to Maxim, which means I’m a threat in their eyes.
I level my father and brother with a steely gaze. “What else can you tell me? I need to know everything.”
Dmitri shifts, his muscular frame radiating controlled power. “We’ve been tracking this lead since a few days after the wedding. The woman…apparently she was with Maxim for a time.”
My fingers curl into fists at the mention of a previous relationship. “So, this wasn’t just about getting my position,” I murmur, anger coursing through my veins. “She wanted to get him back.”
How could Maxim not tell me he had a crazy ex? Or that he was considering marrying her? Granted, his father could have been the one making these decisions…but still.
My father nods, his expression grim. “I think she was working with her family,”
Dmitri’s gaze shifts back over to mine. “Don’t jump the gun. All of the information I’ve gotten points to the family not knowing.”
I hold his gaze, “What does that mean?”
He sucks in a sharp breath, “Little sister, the woman acted alone. Don’t condemn the family for the actions of one. At least, not until I have all of the information.”
I take a steadying breath, pushing aside the turmoil of emotions that threaten to overwhelm me. “You’re sure your information is right?”
Dmitri chuckles, “Yes, I’m thorough.”
Dmitri and I haven’t always had a good relationship. At some point, he became kinder to me in my latter teenage years. I think he began to feel sorry for the position Sasha and I were in.
“All right, well, let me know what you find out when all is said and done. Have you spoken to Maxim?”
Dmitri nods, and launches into a detailed account of the intel he’s gathered. As he speaks, I can’t help but feel a growing sense of dread. This is my life now—constant risks.
But the thought of them targeting me, at my wedding no less...it ignites a fiery determination within me. I will not cower in fear. I will not let them win. Before, I’d probably be scared and just want to flee…but I’m not given that option anymore.
“So what's the plan? What are you going to do? Are you—” I ask my brother.
My father raises a hand, cutting me off. “Aria, we’re not involving you in this. We will handle it, as it’s our duty.”
I bristle at his words, my jaw tightening. “Father, I’m not a child. This is my fight too. Actually, it’s my husband’s fight, wouldn’t you say? How do you think Maxim will handle things when he finds out you’re trying to cut him out of getting his own revenge?”
Dmitri leans forward, his eyes holding mine with unwavering intensity.
“We understand, Aria. But you have to trust us to handle this. Obviously, I have already spoken to Maxim and he’s agreed to let us take the lead, for now.
You need to stay out of this so you don’t get hurt.
Your place is here, saving lives.” He pauses, the barest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Leave the dirty work to us men.”
I want to argue, to insist on being a part of this, but I know they’re right.
As much as it pisses me off, my duty lies with my patients, with the children whose lives hang in the balance.
I can’t let this drama with the Bratva cause me to be yanked away from where my focus should be—these kids. Dmitri is right.
With a resigned sigh, I nod. “Fine, but I want to be kept in the loop. I…I know what being in this life means now and I’m not afraid to know about what’s really happening.”
My father places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Well, this is a positive change. Never did I think I’d see the day where you began to embrace your life in the Bratva.”
I glare up at him, steel in my words. “I wasn’t given an option, Father, or did you seem to forget that? You put me here, and now I can’t look away, even if I want to.”
My father clears his throat and heads for the door, while Dmitri looks at me with soft eyes. “You’re filling the shoes very well, little sister. I’m proud of you for that. I know you weren’t happy with the way he arranged this all, but Maxim isn’t as horrible as some say.”
I know all too well that my husband isn’t as bad as I thought, but I’ve only come to learn that with time.
I softly smile, “Thank you, brother.”
As they turn to leave, I can’t help but get a deep, intense worrying feeling in the pit of my stomach. Being associated with the Bratva is a dangerous thing, and while I’m trying to embrace it, I’m afraid. I’d be a fool to not admit that.
Dmitri pauses at the door, glancing back at me. “There’s one more thing you should know.”
I straighten, bracing myself. “What is it?”
“The woman Maxim was in a relationship with. Her name is Natalya Andreev. Her family is powerful within the Bratva. They’re well-connected, which means she has those same connections. I think she’ll stop at nothing to tear you and Maxim apart.”
My breath catches in my throat. I've heard the name Andreev before, whispered in the shadows at some of the events I was made to attend.
“Why now?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why wouldn’t she go to Maxim and plead her case, try to get him to elope with her, any of it…unless he didn’t want her.”
Dmitri’s expression is grave. “I wish I could answer that for you. You’re a threat to her, sister. Maxim chose you, and that’s the entire reason she wants to eradicate you. I will get you more information as soon as I have it. Until then, be careful.”
I feel a chill run down my spine. Being part of the Bratva is as dangerous as anything, full of enemies who will stop at nothing. And now, it seems, I have one more to add to the list.
“I will. My guard is up.”
Dmitri nods, a flicker of approval in his eyes. “Good. You’ll need it.”
As they slip out the door, I’m left with a sense of nervousness. The battle lines have been drawn, and I know that the stakes have never been higher. I have to be strong. The last thing I want to look like right now is weak, especially in front of the enemies who are watching us closely.
Natalya Andreev might be the one who we’re focusing on the most…but I know there are others watching our every move.
I take a deep, steadying breath, trying to process all that Dmitri and my father have just told me. A jealous ex-girlfriend, a powerful family hell-bent on destroying my marriage to Maxim—it’s enough to make my head spin.
But I don’t have time to dwell on it. Not when I have patients depending on me. I push the personal drama to the back of my mind and focus on the task at hand, diving deep into the medical files on my computer.
Still, the revelation weighs heavily on me. I can’t help but wonder what this Natalya woman is capable of. Is she truly a threat? And how far is she willing to go to get Maxim back and take my place? I mean, it seems to me like she’s going to do whatever she can to get to where I am.
I’m in my office for a couple of hours, looking over medical files, reviewing updates on testing, and briefing myself on a couple of new appointments I have tomorrow. I always like to make sure I run through my upcoming patients’ histories before they come in.
I don’t even realize it’s past seven in the evening until the door to my office suddenly bursts open.
I’m about to reprimand whoever the hell thought they could walk in here like they own the place, until I realize it’s my husband.
His brows are furrowed with concern, “A little birdy told me your father and Dmitri stopped by.”
I swallow hard and crane my neck to the side. “A little birdy? I wonder who that could have been.” I quip.
He takes in a deep breath and makes his way over to my desk, taking a seat on the other side. “What happened? Did either of them bother you?”
I shake my head, trying to reassure him. “I’m fine, Maxim. It’s just...” I trail off, unsure of how I should even have this conversation with him.
My entire mind is jumbled with stress from work, and then all of the additional stress I’m experiencing from being his wife. If I wasn’t married to him, I know I wouldn’t be dealing with half of this shit.
Though, that stress isn’t his fault, but I feel like he’ll believe it is. This stress is thrown in with our bloodlines if you really think about it. Neither of us were given the opportunity to choose the families we were born into, and this is a sad result of that.
He reaches across the desk, taking my hand in his. “It’s okay, you can tell me anything.” he says, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my skin.
I take a deep breath. “Natalya. Your ex-girlfriend, or whatever the hell I should call her. They think she or her family is behind the attack at our wedding. Dmitri thinks she’s working alone, whereas my father doesn’t know if she was doing this all by herself.
I just . . . I really think she won’t stop until she tears us apart, or until I’m dead. ”
Maxim’s jaw tightens, and I can see the rage simmering in his eyes.
“I’m not going to let her succeed,” he says, his voice laced with determination.
“You’re my wife, Aria. Sure, our marriage wasn’t something that happened out of love, but my duty is to you above all else, even the Bratva.
Nothing will ever come between us, and I will knock down anyone who tries to harm you. ”
I want to believe him, I really do. But sometimes anxiety roars through my body. We barely know each other, and even though we’ve been through some traumatic shit together . . . I do wonder if our trauma is the reason we’re so close.
I’ve been trying my damndest to remain positive, but for most of my life things have never really worked out my way unless I’ve walked through the depths of hell to achieve it.
But, who am I kidding? Of course our near death experience caused me to grow closer to him. No man would go to such great lengths to protect me if he didn’t care, and he wouldn’t be here sitting across from me either.
Fear still gnaws at me, and worry floods through my bloodstream.
I changed my life marrying the man who’s set to inherit the Bratva.
However, I didn’t sign up to have assassination attempts.
I want Natalya—or whoever is responsible—to be dealt with.
God, how the last few weeks have changed me.
I never would have even thought about something like that before.
“I know,” I whisper, squeezing his hand. “I just get scared, Maxim. For us, for our family. I never really witnessed what being integrated into the Bratva could mean . . . but now I see the risks, up close and personal.”
He leans over my desk, pressing a fierce kiss to my lips. “Some risks are worth the reward, and we’ll show them we’re not the ones to fuck with. We’re ready for whatever comes our way, beautiful girl,” he murmurs against my mouth. “Together, we will survive everything.”
In this moment, I cling to his words, desperate to find the strength to confront the challenges that lay ahead.
God, I just want this chaos to be over with, and soon.