Lahat ng Kabanata ng Arranged To The Bravta King: Kabanata 91 - Kabanata 100

MikhailOld family photographs are scattered across the low table where I sit in my office as the rain pelts the glass. As a kid, I enjoyed the sound of rain, but as a man, it puts me on edge. The sharp, tiny bursts remind me too much of the sound of gunshots."Brooding again, Kolya?" Larissa's voice startles me as she enters my office. She's wearing bright red and deep yellow, as if filling in for the absent sun.I try to smile, but I can't. "It's my default mode, Lara.""You were always the moody one." She tosses her wet umbrella onto the floor with a careless grace only she could pull off."Careful, or I'll revoke your sibling privileges," I warn her, attempting to lighten my mood."You wouldn't dare," she replies evenly.She hasn't visited the penthouse in weeks. And I notice both her absence and coldness.She strides over and sits down beside me, a smile breaking out slightly when she notices the Kaori painting I've been staring at for the last hour."Chrysanthemum," she says. "M

MariaThere's a fast knock, and then the door opens cautiously. Mikhail's strong figure frames the doorway before he steps into my bedroom. Shadows play over his striking features as our eyes lock, and I feel an unwanted pull toward him. His green eyes hold me in place, making it impossible to turn away. His intensity both captivates me and makes me uneasy at the same time."Maria, I want to talk." His voice shivers across my skin."About what?" I ask innocently, but I know exactly what this is about. Larissa didn't keep her promise. She must have told him my secret.Mikhail comes closer but avoids returning my gaze before tossing himself in a chair. "The wedding."I swallow, and he notices, but I play it off quickly like there's something in my throat. "Is there still going to be one?" I ask.Mikhail's gaze pierces me. "Yes." His firm voice warns me not to question him again. But I don't heed the warning."I don't want to be a part of your farce. You're willing to protect me, Mikhail

MikhailThe rain pelts against the windshield as Pavel navigates the SUV through the dark streets of Jersey City. The SUV passes through one of the few undeveloped areas left, far from the gleaming high-rise condominiums near the light rail. I stare out the darkened window, but instead of focusing on the scenery, I end up staring at my haggard reflection.We received word that there was a break-in at one of the few Jersey properties where we store various things that shouldn't cross state lines. Add that to the text Maria received on her phone, and I have a very good idea who it was.Innocent or not, she's fueling the conflict."Mikhail Ivanov?" Pavel glances over at me. His uncharacteristic concern heightens my unease."Keep driving," I mutter, pulling out my phone. There are numerous missed calls from Maria and one from Anton. I see her text to call her back; she's desperate to reach me.Alexander suggested she had other ways to communicate with Zakhar. And I didn't believe it until

Maria"Look out!"My dad emerges from a shadowy hallway as if summoned by retribution, but he doesn't hear me call him. His face is contorted by a madness that frightens me. The look of hate in his eyes makes my legs freeze in place to see that chilling expression on a face I love.I try to call out to him again, but my voice catches in my throat. His relentless glare is locked onto Mikhail as if I don't matter. And I feel that none of this brutality has anything to do with me. Dad points the gun directly at Mikhail, but I refuse to let fate happen."Daddy, NO!" In a split second, propelled by love and desperation, I step in front of Mikhail as the gunshot rings out. A white-hot sledgehammer slams into me, and I shriek as I fall to my knees.Mikhail screams my name. His voice echoes through the building as I crumple onto the concrete floor. Someone yells something that I can't hear over the ringing in my ears. An intense, searing pain radiates from my side as I gasp for breath. Stingi

MikhailIt's rare for me not to be in the city when the sun rises. I always wake up two hours before dawn, but not today. I haven't been able to sleep at all. Pavel and I sit in the waiting room, mentally blocking out the irritating voice of the overenthusiastic morning host on a TV bolted to the wall.My gaze is unfocused as I stare out the large windows at the morning light. Bands of orange accent the mauve sky as the sun peeks its top over the horizon. My toes tap the floor rapidly as I wait for an update on Maria's condition. Anton stands outside the window, smoking all his cigarettes."Try to rest, Mikhail Ivanov." Pavel frowns at me with concern and apprehension. "I will wake you when they call her name."I can't sleep. I can't even close my eyes. When I do, all I see is Maria collapsing to the floor of the vacant building. I see the flash of blinding light in front of us as she dashed to step in front of me. Her body jolting as the bullet struck her torso. I see her falling to