Deadly Vows (Avilov Bratva #2)

30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Talia

The world felt like it had slowed, everything moving in fragments, pieces that didn’t quite fit together. I could still hear the echo of the gunshot in my ears, the smell of gunpowder heavy in the air. My heart pounded hard against my ribcage, my breath coming out in jagged gasps. Aleksandr’s arms were the only thing keeping me upright, his grip firm, steady. The warmth of his body against mine should have been enough to ground me, but nothing felt real anymore.

I killed Danny.

I looked down at my hands, fingers still trembling as though I could feel the weight of the gun, even though it had long since fallen to the pavement. My chest felt tight like my lungs couldn’t pull in enough air.

“I’m not sorry,” I whispered, my voice low, as if I was confessing a secret.

Aleksandr’s arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. He understood.

I leaned into him, resting my forehead against his chest, trying to let his solidness anchor me. “I had to do it,” I said, the words spilling out in a rush, my voice still shaking. “I had to… for you.”

His hand slid up to the back of my head, fingers threading through my hair, and I felt him press his lips to the top of my head. It was a simple gesture, one that spoke more than words ever could

“Danny-” My voice caught as I said his name. It felt foreign on my lips like it didn’t belong to me anymore…like he didn’t belong to me anymore. Not that he ever really had. “When he found out I didn’t love him, I didn’t want him… He told me he was going to kill me.” I paused, swallowing hard, bile rising in my throat as I remembered the way his eyes had looked when he said those words, cold, empty. “After the baby was born.”

Aleksandr’s hold on me shifted, his body going rigid. He pulled back just enough to look down at me, his gaze dark and unreadable, though I could feel the storm brewing inside him. He didn’t need to ask me anything - he already knew.

“Danny thought the universe owed him something,” I continued, my voice stronger now, though the trembling in my body hadn’t stopped. “All those years… he searched for me. Foster home to foster home until he finally found me.” I shivered, not from the cold but from the sheer madness of it all. “All because my father is a murderer. My father killed his father.”

The realization of it all was suffocating. Danny had spent his entire life chasing me down, trying to claim me like I was some prize. And when he couldn’t have me the way he wanted…he would have killed me. He would have taken my baby as if it was his due.

“I didn’t owe him anything,” I said, my voice breaking as I finally let the truth spill out. “I never owed him anything. I’m not my father.”

Aleksandr’s hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear I hadn’t even realized had fallen. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, Talia.” His voice was calm and soothing. “You did what you had to do.”

I nodded, tears slipping down my face despite my effort to stop them. Everything - the past, the present - was crashing down on me all at once. Danny was dead. I had killed him. But it wasn’t guilt I felt. It was a relief.

A part of me knew I should be horrified, that I should feel some sense of loss for the boy I once knew. But I didn’t. I didn’t feel any of it. I felt free.

Suddenly, headlights cut through the darkness as a black SUV pulled up, and Aleksandr’s men poured out. Dimitri and Anton were the first to approach, their faces grim, but I could see the silent understanding in their eyes as they took in the scene. There was no judgment, no questions. Just action.

Anton knelt beside Danny’s lifeless body, checking the pulse that wasn’t there, his face hardening. Dimitri looked to Aleksandr for orders, his sharp gaze flicking over me for just a moment before settling back on Aleksandr.

“Take care of it,” Aleksandr said, his voice low and lethal.

Within seconds, they moved like shadows, efficient and silent, erasing every trace of what had happened. There was no evidence of Danny. There was no evidence of me. I watched as they worked, numb as if the events were happening to someone else, as if I were standing outside my own body. Aleksandr kept me close, his arm around my waist, like he feared I might disappear if he let go.

“Let’s go home,” Aleksandr murmured, his voice soft against my ear.

Home. I nodded, allowing him to guide me to the car, his touch gentle and protective. The world around us faded as the night swallowed the scene, leaving nothing behind.

When we pulled up to the mansion, some tension finally left my body. The soft lights spilling from the windows and the warmth of the familiar structure felt like a sanctuary. Aleksandr helped me out of the car, his hand at the small of my back, guiding me up the steps.

The door swung open before we even reached it, and Sandy was there, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Talia!” she cried, throwing her arms around me the moment I stepped inside. Her embrace was tight, almost suffocating, but it was exactly what I needed. Her tears soaked into my shoulder as she sobbed quietly, her grip on me never loosening.

“I was afraid-” she whispered through her tears. She pulled back, wiping her face with the sleeve of her shirt. “I’m so grateful you’re okay.”

“I’m okay,” I said, though the words felt thin, not enough to convey everything I felt.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Sasha and Maxim rushing toward me, their faces filled with concern. They clung to me, and I felt a lump form in my throat as I knelt to hug them. They didn’t say anything, but their tight embraces said enough. I never wanted to let them go.

Olga appeared from the hallway, giving me a quick hug. “I’m so glad you’re back.” She pulled away, looking me over. “Let me draw you a bath,” she said softly. “It’ll help.” She exchanged a brief glance with Aleksandr, who nodded in agreement.

I let her lead me up the stairs, my body feeling heavier with every step. The adrenaline that had kept me going was starting to wear off, and all that was left was exhaustion. I could barely keep my eyes open by the time Olga guided me into the bathroom, the scent of lavender filling the air as she prepared the bath.

I sank into the warm water, closing my eyes, trying to wash away the memories of the last few days, but they clung to me, refusing to let go.

Abram’s voice floated in from the hallway, speaking quietly with Aleksandr. “Dr. Daria is on her way to check on Miss Talia.” His tone was serious but reassuring.

An hour later, Dr. Daria arrived. She was calm and efficient as she examined me, her hands gentle as she checked me over. “You’re both okay,” she said with a small smile, her hand resting on my stomach. “You’re strong, and the baby is fine. Nice strong heartbeat.”

I nodded, but I didn’t feel strong. I felt… hollow. But at least the baby was okay.

Aleksandr appeared at the door as Dr. Daria finished up. He didn’t say anything. He just came to sit beside me on the bed, his presence comforting.

“I’m here,” he said quietly, his hand covering mine.

And that was enough.