Page 16 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

“Fucked. I’m hoping with a huge push we can get it up and running by tomorrow, but people are going to be scared to come back.” I sit down at the table where they are having a drink.

Wynter gets up and fetches a beer for me. He sets it down. “I suspect it’s the Armenians. There’s been rumors they’re making a move on Kervyn.”

“Then make a move on Afantasy. Why make a move on my casino?” I growl.

“Because you’re a soft target,” Arseny says. “You have the least amount of guards, and you’re pretty relaxed with security in general.”

“That won’t be a problem going forward,” I say, sipping my beer. “Wynter, can you check that it was them, and if it was, can you send a message? I want to strike back hard.”

“Of course, that’s the plan anyway. Though you may have to explain to Kervyn why I’m doing your dirty work for you instead of you using your own men.” He chuckles, downing his beer.

I down my own and crush the can. “You all better come to the next race. There are going to be some new drivers. Should make things interesting.” I stand up to leave as Monty comes downstairs.

“Boss, this was just delivered to outside. I didn’t see who left it. It’s addressed to you.” He holds out an envelope. I open it carefully and pull out a picture of Hannah tied up. I study it closely.

I turn it over, and there’s a note that if I want Hannah back, I need to pay a million dollars. I can afford that, but it’s irritating that people think I can be messed around like this.

I turn the photo over again and study it again. She looks sexy, strapped and tied to a chair. I just don’t like that fearful look on her face.

This is why I don’t have a steady girl. People will take advantage of that and kidnap her and try to hurt her to get to me. Now, this innocent girl is caught up in this mess, and I don’t even know where to start looking for her.

I hand the photo over to Clyde, Wynters, older brother. “This is the girl I saved last night.”

“She’s cute, even if she does look a tad scared.”

“She’s not involved in our lives in any way. Whoever has taken her obviously saw me with her and jumped to conclusions. Idiots. I want her found and brought to me.” I look at Wynter. “I’ll explain to Kervyn.”

Wynter takes the photo and studies it. “Definitely somewhere in the richer areas. The house looks nice and well taken care of. I’ll reach out to my contacts and see if they know who’s taken a redhead from the streets.”

“Take as many men as you need,” I say, waving toward the stairs to indicate our men sitting upstairs. “Just get it done before they hurt her. Call me once you have her.”

“You got it,” Wynter says. “Though I was supposed to do something for Kervyn today, so you best pop by his office and explain.”

I go upstairs, and Monty follows. We sit in silence as he drives me to Kervyn’s house. Walking in, I head toward his study, pausing only when Penny comes out of the kitchen. “He isn’t in there,” she says. “He’s still having breakfast,”

She has my nephew in her arms. I go over and pinch his cheeks softly. He holds his arms out. “Luka.”

“Yes, it’s Uncle Luka.” I take him in my arms and bounce him a little. “What kind of mood is he in?” I ask Penny.

“He’s just gotten off the phone with Wynter, so he’s expecting you.” She takes Samuel from me. “Good luck.”

I sigh and walk into the dining room. “Hello, big brother.”

Kervyn looks at me over his newspaper. “Have some breakfast,” he says. “And explain to me what’s going on.”

“I saved a girl last night during the shooting. The crowd was stampeding to get out, and she got caught up in it.” I say. “Whoever attacked the casino must have seen me rescuing her and wrongly assumed that she’s important to me. They’ve grabbed her, and they want a million dollars for her safe return.” I reach for a plate and dish up some eggs and bacon.

“So you’re using my men to save some girl,” he says, setting his newspaper down.

“I asked my cousins and brother to look into it because this girl has done nothing wrong and is now in trouble,” I say, eying him.

Kervyn sighs and shakes his head. “You sure she doesn’t mean anything to you.”

“She’s pretty,” I say, pulling the photo from my jacket and passing it to him. “But she seems a little naive.”

“Penny was naive when I first met her. So was Asher. Is this just another one of your fuck around girls?”

I take the photo back and pocket it, intending to study it again later. “No. I didn’t touch her. She was drunk, so I let her sleep it off while I slept in the guest room.”

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