Til make sure hes well looked after , Grisha replies good humoredly , holding out a hand . Now come . moya printsessa . Petra lets herself be led out . My ever gallant subordinate throws me a wink over his shoulder . I roll my eyes . Bit insulting , dont you think ? another voice comments snidely from the doorway . Petras at trusted ally . She wouldnt betray us . I know that , Yurochka , Grisha replies amiably . Just like I know you wouldnt recognize a joke if it hit that dainty little nose of yours . Get your hands off- my brother starts , voice turning nasal mid sentence . Boys , I bark , my patience running thin . Quit stealing each others noses and get the fuck to work . Otherwise , Ill shoot them both off . My second and third in command obediently break it up . Unbelievable , Yuri mutters under his breath . Let it go , I warn him . I swear , the second youre in a room together , you both revert to toddlers . I can see an objection on Yuris lips , but he seems to think better of it . Im not in the mood for games today . Are you ready ? he asks instead . I throw one last glance in the mirror . The jacket looks as crisp as it did that day in the shop . Better , even . As ready as Ill ever be , I sigh . And … Yuri pauses , looking for the right words . Are you sure about this , brother ? Am I ? I have to be . I settle on . We need the Solovyov numbers . Otherwise , itll take years before we grow big enough to take on … H I dont say the name . Yuri knows perfectly well who Im referring to . I understand , he says finally . He still looks conflicted , but I choose to ignore it . Brides and grooms probably arent the only ones who get nerves on days like these . But … Yura . He stops . The nickname always makes him listen . It reminds him of when we were kids just two orphans . Chapter 11 stumbling in the snow , learning how to wield a gun to survive . Its just a wedding . I say , squeezing both his shoulders . Hes so tall , its hard to remember hes only twenty two . I used to dwarf him by a whole head : now , its mere inches . Its not that big a sacrifice . But you dont love her . I was never planning to marry for love , brother . But- Blood . I tell him , turning serious , is the only tie I need . The only tie we can trust . Anything else is flecting at best . And , at worst , a lie . I see him swallow , then nod . I know , Motya . I know you do . With one last pat , I let Yuri go . Then I cross the distance to the door . Is it time yet ? Yeah , Yuri says , checking his watch . One last effort , and everything Ive ever wanted will be within my reach . Allies , power , means . Best of all … revenge . Well then , I say with a grin , lead the way , brother . I walk up to the altar . By my side , Yuri takes his spot as best man . I can see Grisha in the crowd , giving me a sneaky thumbs up . Then the march starts playing . As the organ sings , Petra walks in on her fathers arm . Decked out like this , in six inch heels and a tiara that would put any tsaritsa to shame , she makes Vlad look like a garden gnome . Somehow , I get th feeling its intentional With each step she takes , I can feel my dreams closing in . With each word out the priests mouth , I can feel my ambitions settling in my grasp . With each respective I do , I can sense the balance of the world shifting . When the officiant says , Speak now or forever hold your peace , I nearly laugh . Who in their right mind would cross us ? Who in their right mind would oppose this ? And then , like lightning striking twice , April Flowers rushes in . Im pregnant , she announces breathlessly , sporting the most gigantic belly Ive ever seen . And its 21:38 My Atonement : The Tinaka Chapter 11 yours . MATVEY It happens in slow motion . Thats what it looks like to me , at least . After my wedding crashing tailor drops her bomb , the terrace deadly quiet . For a second , the air is still , like the instant before a shootout . And then it begins . The fir goes The first punch flies from the back rows . Of course it does thats where the Groza and Solovyov men sit mixed with each other . It was Grishas brilliant idea : a show of unity . Right now , unity looks like a broken , bloodied nose . You ! the Solovyov grunt yells above the crowd . How dare you insult our printsessa like that ? The fucks wrong with you ?! Know your place , salaga . Did you forget whos your new pakhan ?! Fists So does the furniture . go flying . and Vlads very expensive , imported ornaments . A chair soars above the crowd , landing with a vicious crack on the back of one of my men . The Groza group responds by hurling the entire row back at the offending Solovyovs . A wooden leg hits the latch on the birdcage . White doves are released , flocking at the wrong angle , diving straight into the brawling guests faces . Cheeks get scratched ; eyes get pecked ; feathers scatter everywhere . I duck under a Fabergé egg screaming toward me like a bullet . It misses my head by a hair and buries itself in the six tier wedding cake resting at the center of the table . Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!