Page 57 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

“Mrs. Milov. Is everything okay?” he asks, leaning into my car.

“Yes, just a busted tail light,” I say nervously.

“You sure everything is okay? Because if you wanted to report any crimes or any problems from your associates, then we can do that and put you somewhere safe.”

I shake my head. “I love my husband,” I say suddenly. “I love him very much, and the only problem we have is that there’s not enough time during the day to see each other.”

The detective looks disappointed and then looks past me to the floor. “Your papers fell.”

My heart skips a beat, and I look down into the footwell where I shoved my handbag. The papers slid out of the opening and spilled out across the floor.

“It’s okay. I’m a rather messy person. They’ll be safe there,” I look back at the officer. “We all set?”

“You seem in an awful hurry. Are you sure there’s not something bothering you?” the detective asks again.

I put all my sass forward and look at him. “Sir, if you’re trying to goad me into admitting something that doesn’t exist, it’s not going to happen. I’m nervous because I’m late to get back to the art gallery. My lunch is only an hour long, and I’ve been out for an hour and a half already.”

He holds his hands up. “Sorry, ma’am. Officer, give her the ticket so she can go.”

He hands me the ticket, license, and registration and tips his hat to me. I nod to him and then look at the detective. “My husband is a good man.”

I pull off when it is safe to do so, and I drive. I take out my phone and message Romano that the cops are onto me. I’ll have to drop it off later.

I put my phone away. I don’t want to give them another reason to pull me over. Sure enough, when I look in the rear view mirror, the detective is behind me in his car.

I go straight to the gallery and park. Leanne is confused about why I’m there, so I quickly tell her I forgot something important. I go out the back and down the alleyway with the papers in hand, and when I come out on the other street, I order an Uber.

I look around nervously as I wait, but soon enough, the driver pulls up. He matches what’s on my app, and I get in and wait for him to drive me to the storage facilities.

It’s completely silent and uncomfortable, and when we’re nearly there, I finally speak to him, “Please hang around. I’m going to need a ride back.”

“Sure, but the meter’s running. I’m not ending the trip until you do.”

“That’s fine,” I say. “I shouldn’t be long.”

He drives into the storage facility and pulls into the parking. There are even fewer cars here now than there were earlier, and that makes me more nervous.

My phone goes off. It’s Danil calling. I silence my phone and get out. I swing my handbag over my shoulder, hold the papers tightly, and walk straight to where we initially met. This time, it’s just Romano and one man.

“Ah, Mrs. Milov. I’m so sorry you were delayed. I’m sure you left your friends behind?”

“They didn’t follow me. They don’t know I’ve left the gallery, but my husband is looking for me.” I use it as a threat.

“Don’t worry. Your husband won’t find out from us that it was you who gave us this information.”

He holds out his hand, and I look at him. “Where’s Piper?”

“The papers first.”

“No, everything at the same time. I want my sister in person, and I’ll give you the papers.” I probably look a lot braver than I feel, but Romano laughs. “This way.”

I follow him down the row.

Chapter 21 - Danil

I look at my watch. The needle on its chrome dial ticks away slowly. It’s late afternoon, and I’m done at the last check-in for the day. I don’t particularly like this casino; there are too many smokers. More than usual, and my clothes stink of it now. Maybe if I leave now, I can shower and get changed before Asher comes home.

Then we can talk about what’s happened. I can’t believe how violently she reacted just because I said I wanted to be a father. After everything we’d gotten up to these last days, I can’t believe she’s still against the idea of us being together. I thought we were doing great.

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