Page 31 of Hostage of the Bratva

Luder let Bunny out the back, and he happily trotted to the yacht and sat waiting for us. I held onto Luder’s arm tightly as my legs felt like Jello, and I wasn’t sure I would make the trip up the docks and into the yacht.

I felt my legs give way as we walked up the three steps. Luder reacted quickly, before I could hit the deck, I was hoisted into his warm embrace. Flinging my arms around his neck, I closed my eyes, feeling relief wash over me. I could hear his heartbeat, and it was soothing. He was so gentle; the whole family stood up for and protected me.

For the first time in my life, I felt part of something bigger. Maybe it was just the overwhelming emotions of the day. But I felt safe with them. They were not even close to the stories I had heard. Maybe some of the other Bratva, like the ones Mathieu worked for, maybe, they were the bad ones. But Luder’s family, the Morozovs, were good people.

Luder placed me down on the bed and sat beside me, holding my hand. “Skyler,” he whispered. “Are you okay?”

I turned and looked into his incredible eyes, “I will be.” I replied softly. “I just can’t…” I felt the tears forming as I triedto explain how I felt about Mathieu. But the lump in my throat threatened to tear through it, so I stared out the window.

“It’s okay,” Luder responded, rubbing my back. “Can I get you some water or something to drink?”

He was so understanding, kind, and soft. I just wanted to hug him for everything. Nodding, I tried to smile at him, but my face felt stiff, and my mouth didn’t want to move. Glancing around as he moved to the fridge, I saw Bunny patiently sitting by the end of the bed. I lightly tapped next to me, and he jumped up and cuddled into my arm.

“Oh, no, my place has been taken,” Luder remarked as he came back. “Well, I need to make a call anyway; here’s some juice.” He said placing the glass down on the bedside table. He glanced back as he left the cabin to go outside, pulling the door only halfway closed.

Hugging Bunny, I allowed my feelings to pour out and sobbed into his coat. “Oh, Bunny, how could Mathieu do this? I don’t even know who he is,” I whispered between sobs. Bunny, licked my arm that was holding him.

I cried for a long time as my heart was broken into pieces. I wondered how long Mathieu had been in this line of work and how I didn’t even notice. My world had turned upside down since meeting Luder for the first time. I could only hope I was doing the right thing for Bunny, the baby, and me.

Everyone was so supportive and nice, especially Luder. Drying my eyes and sitting up, I thought about his kindness. My heart stirred as my mind dwelled on everything we had been through. “This marriage might not only be for the child's sake,” I whispered to Bunny. I felt a pulling within as I thought of spending the rest of my life with him.

Smiling softly at Bunny, I wondered if I was falling in love. It could be my emotional state, but my feelings towardLuder were changing. The more I pondered on everything, the more I felt sure of it.

I had just finished the juice and was getting up to rinse the glass when he came back in. Feeling better, I gave him a warm smile. “You got your business done?” I inquired as he sat down at the table.

“Yes, thank you,” he replied, smiling. “Are you feeling better?”

I nodded and joined him at the table. “Luder,” I said, glancing at Bunny, still lying on the bed.

Luder lifted his hands as he spoke. “No, there is no need for any explanations, he has made his choice.” Clamping his hands together, he continued. “Let’s not ponder on things. But we will have to keep an eye out now.”

“Yes, I guess we would have to,” I said, reaching over the table and taking his hand. “Thank you.”

Luder caressed my fingers. He placed his other hand over mine, his touch was soft and warm. “This is one of the reasons why I don’t trust people,” he said softly. “Everyone is out to get you, you know.”

Smiling softly at him, I replied with care. “No, Luder, I don’t think everyone is out to get you.” Leaning in closer, I pushed my lips out at him in a pout, making him smile. “Some people just get lost,” I concluded.

His smile faded, and his eyes narrowed. “I don’t think so; people make their own choices in life,” he said, squeezing my hand. “I had this girl…,” he said as he sat back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. “Family is important to me, and dishonesty is the one thing I can’t take in this world.”

Luder breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly as he focused on me. “I grew up in Russia but have been here with the family since I turned nineteen. I had a girl back there, my high school sweetheart.”

There was a flickering in his eyes as he pushed his hand through his short hair. “I thought she was the one. But, after finding her with my best friend, I knew no one could ever be trusted.”

He took a deep breath and looked away. “It was our last year of high school; graduation was around the corner. She was a cheerleader, you know. One of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.” Taking another deep breath, he focused back on the ceiling. I felt a pull inside. I wanted to reach out and let him know it was okay. “We were going to get married right after graduation and she was to come live with me here in America.” He added after a short pause.

He shook his head before glancing at me. “If it wasn’t for Ashan,” he spoke in a low voice. I could hear the pain he held inside. “Well, I might have done something to her and my best friend that I would have regretted for the rest of my life. Instead, I boarded the plane alone, lost for a while as I tried to settle here. From there on out, I stuck with number one. I truly believed that she was the one. I never found love like that with anyone else.”

Looking me in the eye as he finished made my heart bleed for him, so much pain at such a young age. “Luder, I’m so sorry,” I started saying when he picked up his hand and held it up, indicating I could wait.

“I don’t want your sympathy,” he said, breathing out slowly. “I want you to know why I do things a certain way and why I find it hard to trust people.”

I nodded and gave him what I hoped was a comforting smile.

“After coming here to work alongside Sergei, I discovered that I had a wild streak, as the family calls it,” he said, pulling his lips up to one side. “I am known to them as a ladies’ man and the go-to guy for sorting things out.”

At this, I pulled back slightly. Luder looked at me and leaned in. “I’m not, but that is what people think,” he whispered. “You see, I had to take on a no-care attitude to protect myself from the same kind of loss. However…”

Thinking about the recent events with Mathieu, I knew what he meant. But Mathieu is my family, and in time, I will be able to forgive. “Yes,” I prodded.

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