Chapter 22 - Roman

The adrenaline still buzzes through my veins as I survey the club from the shadows of the alley, my brothers flanking me.

Tonight is not just any night; it’s a declaration. We’re ready to show the Vultures that the Milovs are not to be messed with.

The club is one of their most popular businesses, a sleek and upscale venue they’ve made their headquarters. As we enter, the club is bustling with life, laughter, and ignorance of the storm brewing outside.

“Ready?” Luka asks, his voice low, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

“Always,” I reply, my heart racing as we step out of the shadows, the ambient music spilling into the alley as a prelude to the chaos about to unfold.

We stride toward the entrance swiftly but carefully. We push through the door, and the scene inside is overwhelming. The club is lavishly decorated, with golden lights shimmering off the polished bar and patrons laughing, oblivious to the impending fight soon to break out. I can already spot a few of the Vultures at a high-roller table, their smirks plastered across their faces, unaware that tonight will end in panic.

“Roman!” one of them calls out, their arrogance apparent. “What brings you here? You should be at home with your—”

The last word dies in their throats as my brothers and I make our way through the crowd. Their eyes widen as they see the expressions on our faces. The shift is instant, and I can feel the energy change as the realization hits them: we’ve come to reclaim our territory.

I signal to Luka, and within moments, the air is thick with tension. “Let’s make this quick,” I say, my voice steady as I reach for the weapon hidden beneath my jacket.

The chaos erupts swiftly, gunfire ringing out as we unleash our fury on the Vultures, the very sound of it echoing through the club like music. The patrons scream, scrambling for safety as we take down the men who dared to threaten what is ours.

Minutes later, as the last of the Vultures falls to the ground, I stand at the center of the chaos, my heart pounding, adrenaline surging through my veins.

This is our territory now, and anyone who thinks otherwise will learn a hard lesson, just like the Vultures did.

We’ve sent a message, and I hope it spreads quickly through the criminal underground.

***

Later that evening, we found ourselves at my cousin Kervyn’s home for a family gathering. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, filled with laughter and the irresistible scent of home-cooked food. I looked around, my heart swelling with pride as I realized how lucky I was to have this chaotic but loving family by my side.

Gwen stands beside me with a bright smile, taking in the lively scene. She’s dressed in a flowing peach dress that accentuates her figure, her white-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Bronze makeup lightly decorates her face, accentuating her cute features and bringing out the vibrancy in her emerald eyes. I watch her closely throughout the night. The way she interacts with everyone, chatting effortlessly and laughing, fills me with warmth. She’s not just fitting in; she’s thriving . And it’s an absolute joy to witness.

“You’re handling this like a pro,” I say, leaning down to whisper in her ear as we get a moment just the two of us, a small distance away from the rest of the group, a grin spreading across my face.

“Just keeping up with your wild family,” she replies, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “Easy for a girl like me.”

I grin, then plant a kiss on the top of her head.

As the evening progresses, I can see her engaging with my relatives. She’s now fully embracing the chaos that comes with being a Milov. She’s a natural, her laughter ringing through the air as she shares stories and jokes with my cousins, who all seem to like her. She fits in so naturally, so easily. I find myself actually envious of her ability to bond with people. It’s intoxicating watching her adapt and find her place in my world.

At one point, I pull Luka aside for an inevitable moment of quiet. We find a secluded corner of the bustling room, and I can’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with him.

“Thanks for taking care of the Vultures,” Luka says, his expression serious. “They’ve been on my ass for a while now. I should’ve warned you about them, but honestly, I didn’t think they’d be stupid enough to try to make a move on me. Nevertheless, you handled it perfectly, cousin. You showed them exactly what the Milovs are capable of. I’m glad you lived up to my expectations.”

I chuckle, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. “It’s been an intense welcome to the city,” I admit, my tone lighter now. I take a sip of my whiskey. “But honestly? I can’t complain. Throughout this hell, I got myself a beautiful wife I’m obsessed with, and now I have a child on the way.”

Luka grins. “Roman Milov, with a fucking kid on the way. Who would’ve thought?” He laughs, playfully slapping me on the back. A small moment of silence washes over before Luka raises an eyebrow, a sly grin creeping onto his face. “There’s something about that casino, isn’t there?”

I blink, confused for a moment. “What do you mean?”

“The way you met Gwen isn’t much different from how I met my wife,” he says, the humor in his voice undeniable.

My laughter echoes through the space, lightening the atmosphere. “You can’t be serious,” I reply, shaking my head. “It wasn’t a casino; it was a nightmare.”

“But you both came out of it together, didn’t you?” he counters, his smile wide.

I can’t help but smile back, the warmth of the night wrapping around us, comforting. “I suppose you’re right. It does seem fitting in a way.”

We share a moment of camaraderie, the chaos of the gathering fading into the background as I reflect on how far I’ve come.

With Gwen by my side, I know I can face whatever challenges lie ahead, and I’m ready for anything.