Mikhail
Under the table, I grip Maria's hand, and she closes her mouth. She was on the verge of speaking. And I know what she wants, but she has to let me handle this.
"Zakhar has made it clear that he would rather kill me than speak to me." I relent a little for Maria's sake. "But now that you've seen Maria, you can tell him that she wants to be with me, something that he isn't convinced of."
Vito nods. "I can extend the olive branch, that's all. We don't need any more chaos than we already have between us. Despite Zakhar's antics, we aren't willing to enter a full-blown war." Vito's gaze shifts from me to Maria, and his eyes narrow. "I had hoped my daughter would be with you."
Maria speaks up quickly. "She's safe, Uncle Vito. The Bratvas won't dare touch her while she's under Mikhail
