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dictum factum (m.) what is said is done

ROSABELLE

I truly felt like the vilest person in earth. After all the risks Nino had taken for me, I was selfish enough to ask him for another favor that might cost him his life.

Dad had become hostile toward Nino since yesterday, even threatening his life until I had to beg my dad once again to spare the poor man.

In Dad's eyes, Nino had made a huge mistake by not informing him about the circumstances I had created in Moscow. Nino thought he had every right to be punished. But I knew I could never forgive myself if Nino was held accountable for the deed I had committed.

Nonetheless, I became self-centered again for my own desires.

I was told to stay at home, not to interfere in the collision between the Bratva and the Italian Mafia. Yet, my conscience wouldn't listen to me.

My heart ached to see Emi.

So, I asked Nino once again to risk his life for me, to drive us to the place where Emi and my dad would meet, to take me to the danger zone.

Likewise, the man agreed without a second thought.

And I felt like I could drown in my own self-loathing.

"Nino," I called him, and his response came in an instant. "Yes, miss?"

"Thank you," I said for the umpteenth time, but no matter how many times I thanked him, it seemed insufficient compared to the help he was providing me.

As always, he only returned a smile my way. "No problem, miss."

God, I wanted to cry. I was so worried.

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Emi's gun was pointed at Rome's head. My brother stood unarmed before the man, doing nothing but glaring at him, daring him to make a move he wouldn't hesitate to reciprocate.

The scene alone made my stomach churn in fear, my heart threatening to leap out of my throat. I was left unable to utter a sound upon witnessing the game of bloodshed that was about to unleash before me.

Maybe I was rendered speechless.

Or perhaps I had just lost my voice.

A time bomb was ticking in my brain.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

And I watched them play Russian Roulette. One man falls, and the war begins. They were just waiting for someone to make the first move.

Behind Emi stood a man who resembled him in many ways, with emerald green eyes and raven locks tied up in a loose bun.

They had only one discernible difference.

The other man's whole demeanor exuded danger. Emi might have fooled me with his appearance, even if it was only for a brief moment, but that man couldn't hide his menacing presence. Because anyone would run the moment he set his eyes on them.

And just like that, the moment his gaze landed on mine, I almost regretted coming here in the first place, my breath catching in my throat.

God, he seemed as if he'd relish leaving this place with not even ashes remaining.

At that moment, I realized this man was none other than Aleksandr Nikolayev, Emi's elder brother. A man as alluring as deadly he was.

I looked away from him, unable to maintain his gaze any longer. I found Emi's gaze on me after that.

It had been only one day, and he had transformed so drastically that I could barely recognize him. Scars marred his face, his hair disheveled, and no trace of mischief in those emerald green eyes.

"You left me," he finally spoke, his tone devoid of remorse, the gun still pointed at Rome. Even without glancing my way, he sensed my presence.

That was the moment I decided to speak up because I feared for everyone's life here if I didn't. "I returned to my own home," my words would hurt him, but he needed to understand that my family was my priority, and he had no right to aim a gun at my brother.

"You betrayed me," there was no change in his tone. "I came here to fight for us." I responded.

"You didn't have to leave."

"I had to."

He began to pull the trigger, and my heart raced. "Don't make a mistake, Emi. There can't be an 'us' if you do."

"Get in the jet, Rosabelle, and I won't touch a fly," his response was blunt, as cold as ever.

Then Rafe came to grab my wrist and pulled me behind him for protection. "Oh no, she's not going anywhere, Nikolayev." Emi smiled without humor at my brother's words. "She sure is," he gritted out.

"I'm the one who gets to decide here, Emi. I won't return to Russia with a war unfolding between you and my family," I snapped, trying to shrug off Rafe's hold on me. "And put that fucking gun down."

He finally complied with my order and holstered the gun at his side, but it didn't mean that the men on both sides lowered their weapons. They were still pointed in each other's directions, leaving no room for escape.

"Let's go, Rosabelle, while I can still forgive you for leaving me." Emi's voice remained as lethal as before, and I fought back tears.

"Please," I pleaded. "Don't start a war over me."

A wicked smile crossed his face, and deadly promises evident in his eyes. Gone was the sweet man who had once set my heart and body on fire with his sultry whispers, replaced by a figure who had all of Moscow cowering beneath his icy gaze. I could barely recognize this man anymore.

Then again, perhaps I had never truly known him at all.

There was a taste of darkness in his voice as he uttered, "You are the war, moya Bella," The smile remained, as sinister as sin. "And I'm going to win you."

At that very moment, I realized I had unleashed hell in Moscow, and I would have to deal with its fire.

"I'll come back to you, I swear," I made promises, and I knew I'd do anything to prevent what was about to happen if no one stopped them.

"You're lying, Bella."

"I'm not, not again, I swear."

I made Rafe release my hand, despite his protests, and walked toward Emi. My dad shouted my name from behind, and Rome pulled his gun out from his waistband, but I didn't stop until I was right in front of Emi. "Go back, please," I whispered.

I wanted to caress his hair, kiss the scars on his face. I wanted to hold him close. But I couldn't, not now.

He seemed to see the inner turmoil within me, and a soft hint of emotion crossed his emerald eyes. "You wound me, Belle," he said. It was the first time I sensed vulnerability in his tone, and my heart ached.

"Forgive me, please," I teared up. "I love you."

Every burning emotion was reflected in his eyes, flames that ignited hotter than the fire itself. "Come back, Rosabelle," he smiled slightly, as if trying to show to what extent he'd go for me. "I need you."

"I don't want a war, Emi."

"Come with me, and there will be no war."

I sighed and looked down, only for him to gently lift my chin with his bloodied hand.

Then he did something I'd never expected.

Emi kissed me in the midst of thousands of people aiming their guns at each other.

He kissed me in the middle of a battleground.

And he kissed me until I was left breathless.

My dad's shout was distinct as his eyes widened, his mouth seemingly unable to form words at the scene that had just unfolded before him.

Emi didn't let me turn to face my family. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor as he took my hand and began leading us toward where my dad stood.

I could feel Aleksandr's gaze burning holes in our backs as we moved forward, prepared for any threat that came near his brother. I almost smiled at their display of loyalty.

"Bastard," my dad said the moment we stood before him, immediately stepping forward to confront Emi. But the man beside me spoke first. "You want peace? I'll give you peace. But in return, your daughter becomes my wife."

"Like hell I would let my daughter marry someone like you," Dad spat, causing Emi to grin. "You and I are not so different, de Luca. I'm putting this condition on the table. I get your daughter, and you get everything you want from me in return. Take it or leave it, but," he lowered his gaze, "your daughter is mine, with or without a war."

Dad fumed in anger, the gun in his hand trembling, ready to make a shot. The only thing that probably stopped him was the pleas I made earlier.

"I may give up my enmity for my daughter, but who guarantees her happiness?" Emi chuckled a little at the words. Then he placed his gun in my dad's hand, turning both of us bewildered. "Here is the cost of her happiness. My life," he declared. "If she ever feels even slightly unhappy with me, you can end my life with your own hands, de Luca. I guarantee it."

His sudden words and change of tone seemed to give my dad pause, and Rome came up beside me, pulling me to him, securing me by his side.

Though, I knew that I was safest on earth when I was with Emi.

A moment of silence passed among us. Then Dad spoke up. "Lower your weapons," his men immediately complied with his order.

It took a moment longer for the other side to follow suit.

"We'll meet in a week," Dad said, and Emi protested. "Three days."

"In. A. Week," Dad threatened, "No less."

Emi looked at me at that moment, annoyance clear on his face regarding my brother's behavior earlier. "I'll be staying in Chicago. You have three days to convince your father to listen to me, Belle," he completely ignored my dad's words and directed his statement to me.

"You don't get to stay here in my city, Nikolayev," Dad exclaimed, but it was to no avail. Emi turned to look back at him only to smile.

"Entertain your guests, de Luca. Worry not, only thirty of my men will stay. The rest will leave the city tonight."

I didn't know what their conversation was like after that when Rome pulled me aside and led me to the car. "Why in the world did you risk your life and come here?"

His gaze landed on Nino with anger, but I made him look at me again. "Are you angry with me?"

He stared at me with an unreadable expression, his eyebrows furrowing as if he didn't know what words to utter. Then the expression disappeared as if it wasn't there in first place, and he turned his head to Nino, "Drive her back home, and you're fired."

He ignored my eyes and left my sight without a second thought. My eyes crinkled into a helpless smile.

My brother was a softie at heart.

And maybe, maybe, it was true when they said love conquers all.

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