CHAPTER 72

CHAPTER 72
Archer pov
I tapped my forefinger on my thigh slowly as I stared at Elena's sleep. She looked so peaceful and cute. I remembered how she used to have these crazy nightmares that would make her thrash around violently. They've stopped, and I didn't even realise.
She doesn't know how badly I want to hold her every damn minute. Fuck, how did I get here? I remember giving her punishments and locking her in her room for disobeying me, but now I want to sleep by her side.
I want to see her smile and I like it when she calls me by my name. I ran my hand through my messy hair. My phone started buzzing immediately. Took them long enough.
I brought the phone closer to my ear without speaking. It was Nikolai; I was summoned to appear in front of the Brotherhood tomorrow. I didn't say anything and just ended the call. I don't give a fuck what they do.
Before I met Elena, all I thought about was the brotherhood and how I would conquer everything and everyone, but suddenlyI'm no longer interested. I just want to stay by my wife's side. I guess this is how Nikolai feels with his wife.
I now understand why he doesn't play about her. I always thought that he was weak for paying so much attention to her, but Elena made me change my mind.

I stood in the quiet room, my chin held high and my emotions neutral. I'm not afraid of any of the men present here because, with a flick of a hand, I could destroy each and every one of them.
My hand was still in the bandage as I stood in the middle of the room. They all had stern faces.
Don sat at the head. Crystal was next to him, her face calm, her neck still bruised from the night I attacked her, great. I wish I could make it permanent so that she would remember for the rest of her life never to mess with my woman.
“You were called here to answer for your actions,” said Nikolai; he looked disappointed in me, and I wondered why because he didn't like me. that much.
I didn’t flinch. “I protected someone.”
“You assaulted a woman in another man’s house,” Don snapped. “That’s not protection. That’s disrespect.”
“She attacked Elena,” I replied, voice steady, not making a fuss. “My wife. She’s pregnant. Crystal tried to hurt her.”
“Any proof of that?” Don asked coldly.
“Wait…did you just say your wife?” He asked in disbelief. “You heard right.”
“You married that waitress, are you serious?”
“Yes, it's my life, and I don't need anyone's permission on how to live it,” I replied defiantly, and he just scoffed.
“I never touched her; she attacked me first; instead of you to ask what happened, you just attacked me.” Crystal cut in.
I growled. “You’re lucky I didn’t kill you.”
“That’s enough,” Nikolai said, raising a hand. “This isn’t about who hit who anymore. It’s about order. About rules.”
“Rules that protect people like Crystal?” I asked, glaring at Don. “Or rules that only apply when it suits you?”
“Archer, just apologise. Maybe that would help.” Hugo suddenly spoke and I shot him the deadliest glare.
“Apologize for protecting my wife? No fucking way, I'm ready for anything you guys decide.” Hugo buried his face in his palm.
Nikolaj stood. “A vote will be taken. Should Archer lose his title?”
The room went silent.
One by one, the hands rose. All except Hugo, who kept his hands in his lap, jaw clenched.
“It’s done,” Nikolai said. “You’re no longer the Mafia underboss. You have no power here.”
My fists tightened, but I said nothing. I was expecting this anyway. Let's see how well this empire thrives without me.
I turned and walked out, the door closing behind me without a word.

“What? But that is too harsh.”
“I agree with Ric, couldn't they have come up with a better punishment?” Savien and Ric argued.
“I'm not surprised; they expect me to always kiss Don's feet; well, I'm not like that, I've never been like that. The only reason why Don liked me so much was because he wanted me to get married to Crystal so that the power would stay in his family.
He's a selfish bastard and I'll never kneel before him or his daughter.”
I said with a clenched jaw.