Page 138 of The Bratva King

“You want me to hide in this house while you handle things?”

“I need you and Luke where I know you’re safe while I deal with this.”

“Deal with this how?” I demand.

His jaw tightens. “That’s not important.”

“I know what you’re doing. Every time you retaliate, you make us a bigger target.”

“I’m keeping everyone safe.”

“He’s my son.” My voice turns sharp. “Mine. I decide how to keep him safe. Not you. Me.”

“Gabby.”

I walk out and slam the door behind me.

32

Nikolai

I don’t understand why she’s so angry. I told her about the threat. I’m handling it. That’s what I do: I manage problems so the people I care about don’t have to worry.

In my world, you protect people by shielding them from unnecessary details. You assess the threat, neutralize it, and it’s done. Why talk about it?

Gabby clearly doesn’t see it that way.

I get dressed and walk downstairs. It’s early, but the house is already humming. We’ve had lockdowns before, but this one is different.

Pasha is at the kitchen island with coffee and his laptop. He looks up when I enter. “You look like shit.”

“Thanks.” I pour a mug of coffee and stare at him. “I’ll be in my office.”

His eyebrows lift. “No breakfast?”

“Not hungry.”

I walk out. I won’t admit that I don’t want to be in the kitchen when she comes down. That would mean I’m hiding in my own house. I’m not.

Pasha closes the door as I take my seat. “What happened?” he asks.

“She’s overreacting.”

“Gabby.”

“I told her about Luke being followed. Told her to stay home while I handle things. She got mad.”

“Because you told her to stay home?”

“Because I didn’t tell her about the man in the park. It’s over. It was nothing. The more I think about it, the less I believe it was the Italians.”

“Ah.” He nods. “I understand.”

“What do you understand? You agree with her?”

“A little.”

I frown. “Why? I kept them safe. That’s what matters.”