Pavel grunted. “None of us wanted to believe you would harm Annika or betray the brotherhood, which was why we were so shocked when the evidence suggested otherwise.” He paused. “I apologize if we were a little harsh with you.” A gleam of remorse entered his eyes. “If you get Annika back, all will be forgiven. But you’ll have to get Alexei’s approval to date his daughter, assuming, of course, that she wants you.”
That was the thing about the Popovs. They might be Bratva, but they really were good people. They apologized when they were wrong, and they went out of their way to make things right. But this entire situation was allmyfault. Damien wasmybrother. I was the one who’d left him. Whatever he was up to right now was because ofme. He’d hurt Annikabecause of me.
My stomach churned.
“I don’t blame you guys for thinking I was a traitor. But I promise I will do everything in my power to get her back. I won’t let you guys down.” I hesitated, then pulled my gaze to Alexei’s. “I won’t ask for your approval right now. I’m not ready. There’s something I have to do first, and that’safterwe get her back. Saving her is my top priority.”
Alexei nodded slowly. “You get my daughter back in one piece, then come see me about the other.”
“Thank you. I will.”
Efrem clapped me on the shoulder. “I’m sorry I doubted you, Adrik. I hate when I’m wrong.”
I gave a shake of my head. “It’s okay. Really.”
Lev caught my stare. “No hard feelings?”
I forced a smile. “None.”
He blew out a breath. “Thank fuck.”
Dominik chuckled before shoving his hand out to me. “Sorry, man. You were always one of my best soldiers. Are we good?”
I shook his hand. “We’re good.”
Sacha stepped in front of me and looked me in the eye. “Forgive me for being a dumb ass. Even when I doubted you, I knew it was wrong, because you really are the most sincere person I’ve ever met.”
I swallowed hard, my throat clogging with emotion. This was the guy who’d given me a second chance at life. I owed him everything. “All’s forgiven,” I assured him.
He hesitated, as if he wanted to say more, but in the end, he simply nodded and stepped back.
Just then, my phone rang.
Everyone tensed.
Blowing out a breath, I swiped the screen.
“Let’s meet, wolf. Come alone. No Popov pigs allowed. If I see anyone other than you, I’ll gut Annika on the spot and make her squeal. Got it? I’m guessing your leg’s probably sore from where I shot you, so you’ll need to get in a car and drive one mile to the east. Then call me. I’ll tell you where to go from there.”
“I’m on my way.”
Damien whooped. “Good! This has been a long time coming, brother. Hurry your ass up. Let’s play. Ahhhooo!”
The line went dead.
I didn’t know why he hadn’t killed me in the forest last night, but I suspected now it was because he wanted to play whatever sick game we were about to play. I was about to be tested to the fullest of my abilities, mental, emotional, and physical. With an injured leg, I was already at a physical disadvantage.
“Hold on a moment.” Pavel caught my gaze. “What about your phobia? If he knows about it, then he might use it against you. You could black out, get yourself or Annika killed.”
I blew out a breath. “Annika forced me into a therapy session with Harley yesterday.” Heat crept up my neck and into my face. “I don’t know if I’m cured, but I didn’t trigger once. And I spent half the night alone with Harley out there, and not once did he set me off. I think…I’m good.”
Silence.
Everyone exchanged glances.
“We don’t have time to worry about something triggering Adrik,” Sacha said. “I trust he’ll handle it. If he loves her, he’ll get past any phobias.”
My chest tightened at his absolute faith in me. But he was right. Nothing would stop me from saving Annika.Nothing.