Page 39 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

The reality of his words was difficult for me to digest, but I had the feeling he was telling the truth. Even if he could be cold about it, Yaro always made sure I was taken care of. Whether it was meals, clothes, or getting me out of the condo, he was trying.

“I could see that,” I murmured, losing myself in the thought.

Guilt gripped my heart, and I felt bad for comparing my husband to my dad. One of those men made sure I had what I needed while the other could barely give me the bare minimum. One was working hard to keep everyone safe, while the other bummed off the Levovs’ money and stole from them, losing everything in the process.

Even if that anger seemed reminiscent of my dad’s, I couldn’t keep blurring the two in my mind. It felt like an injustice.

Regardless of how things started between us, Yaro did try to be kind to me, and that sense of loyalty was there. I just had the feeling it would take more work to fortify that bond between us.

“You know,” Vik started, letting a mischievous smile settle on his lips. “Yaro might seem all tough—which, granted, he is—he’s also incredibly sensitive. He cares more than he lets on, and I know how you perceive him is something he considers very closely. Don’t let his hard exterior fool you.”

I smiled gently at the idea. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Vik’s easy-going nature was a relief, and I felt grateful for him then. He was like a middleman to help me navigate my new life, and he meant the world to Yaro. That much was obvious.

Even if there were still unknowns between us, I found myself looking forward to seeing where my future with Yaro would take me.

“Yaro mentioned I’d be useful to the family business before,” I began, redirecting the conversation. “What did he mean by that?”

He shrugged. “Since you’re studying business, you’ll be able to use that to help us with our profits and front-end things what the customers will see. But since you’re still studying and don’t know much about the lifestyle, there’s no pressure for you to start yet.”

While the business had dangerous aspects, something about it made me curious. Despite not being brought up in their world, something about it was intriguing.

I liked how their values seemed to be the center of everything. How they were a family looking out for family. It wasn’t something I ever had.

“Do you think Yaro would be open to letting me learn more about it if I asked?”

Vik drew in a sip from his drink. “I don’t see why not.”

***

When the front door cracked open, it was dark out, and Vik was long gone. He had been apprehensive about leaving me there, but after I reassured him enough times that I’d be fine, he eventually went home for some rest.

After our talk, I had a change of heart for Yaro. I realized I had been looking at him the wrong way, and like Maria said, if I wanted things to go well, I had to speak up.

Taking a deep breath as Yaro walked in, I internally told myself that my situation was what I made of it, and I wanted things to be better between us.

A greeting was on my tongue, but the moment I saw the blood splattered on his button-down, it all fizzled away.

Immediate concern flooded my system as I jumped to my feet, surprising even myself.

“Oh my god,” I uttered, approaching him with a twist of my stomach. “Are you hurt?”

I wanted to reach out to help, but I didn’t know where to start. The blood was everywhere, along with his bruised knuckles, exposed as he held his gloves in one hand.

But Yaro sighed and shook his head. His shoulders looked heavy from the weight of everything, along with the bags under his eyes. “The blood isn’t mine. I’m fine.”

I recoiled somewhat at his words, realizing what that meant. The damage was dealt to someone else.

Even if that was true and he felt fine, the lingering anger and defeat in his eyes were still a cause for concern.

Vik told me everything I needed to know about his brother earlier, and I better understood his nature. He was the provider, yet he often wasn’t provided for.

Immediately, I wanted to do something for him. Even if I didn’t have anything planned, I wanted to ease some of that sting and take on some of the stress he shouldered on his behalf.

With a small reassuring smile, I reached for his hand despite the blood.

Yaro glanced between my hand and my eyes, surprised by the gesture. Yet, he let it happen, and I pulled him toward the bathroom.

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