Bound To The Medvedi

e

exactly what I expected: furious, then confused. He had no

had turned upside down in a matter of hours. Tradin

s than twenty-four hours. Last week, my biggest w

through my thoughts as he placed a bowl of soup in front of m

attack me?" I asked, avoiding his gaz

l?" His voice was low, almost teasing. "I

? Why do you keep trying

owing. "Because, Spasitel'... Ya

hat mean?" I

oft murmur, almost a whisper. "You'

re daring me to respond. But I couldn't-

was back, devilish and knowing.

ed out with the empty bowl, leaving me al

u

e distant rustle of trees and the faint creak of the house settling were mere whispers against the steady drum of my hea

was an irregularity, a wildcard I hadn't planned for. And yet,

jaw tightened as anger licked up my spine-not at their pathetic attempts to harm her but a

thoughts. My second-in-command stood in the doorway, his bulky

y expression sharp as th

he sharp aroma of blood mingled with the dampness of the stone walls. Two men sat

lated, each step deliberate and dangerous. Viktor trail

and almost amused as I circled them, my footsteps echoing sinisterly ag

d more defiant, spat blood onto

igniting kindling. A smile spread across my face as I

rd and delivered a punch that sent the man gasp

voice to a chilling whisper

nd his gaze drawn to mine as if under a spell. Minutes passed i

oorframe, relishing every moment of their torment. The two men were b

is voice dripping with menace. The older man stamm

h a satisfaction. Viktor stepped closer, his shadow

re delivering a swift kick to the older man's knee. T

e pleading for help that I would never render. I couldn't help but smile; this was my doma

her car off the road. This was merely th

unger one broke under pressure. "It-it was someone from Moretti's district." His words stumb

hroud. Matteo's household had always been tight-knit-nearly impenetrable. For someo

iktor. "Get them

and walked back to my office, the echoes of t

unted my mind like an unwelcome ghost. Her eyes had been dead then; it was as if her world had collapsed around her. My gaze drifted

s figure was barely visible in the corner-blurred and partially hidden-but h

en scared? How long

ling thoughts. Leni wasn't just Matteo's secret daughter; She was a

ust for protection, but b

something far more personal now. I needed that fire by my side-

take her from me-even her father-woul

r bodies-and I'd make sure they never u

door snapped me out

, my leg crossed

confident demeanor replaced with something

hung in the room, so I motioned

is voice lowering. "It i

e narrowing. "W

ocked into mine. "She's in the kitch

a was like a mother to me and her assessment of Leni mattered,

, pomo

"Should I take her

at, I'll go down to make

him. The thought of Leni and Rafaela "bonding" was unsettling in a way I couldn't quite place. Rafaela wasn't one to mince words, and h

rble countertops. I could hear their voices before I entered, a soft murmur of conversation int

la was leaning against the counter, a rolling pin in her hand, while

yes sharp as they appraised me.

intended, my gaze flicking to Leni, who lo

thud. "The girl doesn't know how to make pierogi. Can you imagi

unreadable. "I didn't mean to intru

ple and domestic, felt jarring against the chaos that sur

etween us. "She's a quick learner, this one," she said,

kept my expression carefully neutral. "That remai

espond. Rafaela, however, let out a

argument. Rafaela raised a brow but nodded, her

, the air between us charged. "You're making

in lifting slightly. "I

but I tamped it down, keeping my tone measured. "And yet

her voice trembling slightly. "

me fire that had intrigued me from the start. "You survived tonig

sk for your

y presence looming over her. "But you

blazing with a mix of fear and

ng it would unnerve her. "Now? Now y

ilence between us was deafening. Then, with

her pause, a small gasp escaping her lips. I stopped, my hand tigh