“I’m sorry for not showing up for you, Natalia,” I tell her suddenly.
“You already apologized for that.”
“It wasn’t nearly enough. I told you I would protect you, and when you needed me most, I wasn’t there.”
“You have a Bratva to lead,” she offers. “You have hundreds of men fighting for you. I know I can’t always be the priority.”
It tears me apart to hear her say that. Because the truth is, she should be the priority. Every f*****g time. The fact that she thinks otherwise is on me.
But considering our circumstances, that reality is no longer an option.
I have to push her away in order to protect her.
She has to leave me behind in order to protect our child.
I grit my teeth and force the lie out. “I have to focus all my efforts on Slavik and Viktor now. That means I won’t be aroun
