He steps closer. “So this is the woman who has one of my best soldiers disobeying me.”
It’s not a question. He knows everything about Aurora, right down to her blood type.
My heart drops to my fucking feet as Aurora rushes down the rest of the stairs. My arm darts out, and grabbing her, I yank her against my chest.
“Wait,” she says, her tone terrified. “Let me talk to him.”
I shake my head hard. “No. Go to your suite.”
“Let the woman speak to me, Mikhail,” Viktor orders.
Christ.
I don’t let go of her, but instead, I tighten my grip on her arm.
She gives me a reassuring look, then turns her eyes to Viktor.
“I just want to say thank you for giving us your blessing.”
Viktor takes a couple of steps forward, and tilting his head, he asks, “My blessing comes at a price, Miss D’Angelo. Either your father submits or he dies.”
Her eyebrows knit together as she nods. “I understand.”
“If neither happens within the next three months, I’ll take your and Mikhail’s lives. There won’t be a second chance.”
Aurora gasps as she grabs hold of my hand. She blinks for a moment as she processes the words.
“I wonder, Miss D’Angelo. Who would you choose if I held a gun to Mikhail’s head?”
She doesn’t hesitate as she answers, “I choose Misha.” Her voice cracks over the words. “I’ll always choose Misha.”
The corner of Viktor’s mouth lifts. “I’m glad to hear that.” He turns toward the front doors of the castle, then pauses. “I look forward to your wedding.”
When Viktor walks out of the door, Aurora glances up at me. “Wedding?”
Letting out a heavy breath, I tug her into my embrace and hold her tightly to my chest. “Yeah, a lot has happened since the attack yesterday.”
“Is that why you were so worried? Because Viktor was coming today?”
I nod as I inhale her scent. “Yes, but we’ll talk about it later. I need to get a clean shirt for Alek. Viktor shot him.”
Aurora pulls back, frowning up at me with shock. “What?”
“I just need to check in on Alek, then I’ll tell you everything.”
“Ah…okay.”
When I take a step toward the stairs, Aurora grabs my hand. “I’m coming with you.”
“You were on your way to meet Abbie,” I remind her.
“She’ll understand if I don’t join her for brunch. You’re more important.”
Her words act as a soothing balm for my heart that’s been put through the wringer the past twenty-four hours.
Lifting my other hand, I take hold of her chin and kiss the living hell out of her.
I get another chance to love this woman.