Page 25 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

I see him leave out the corner of my eye, and I sip on my refreshed glass of water. This is going to have to sustain me until I get out tomorrow.

If I’m allowed out.

What if he won’t let me out, and I can’t get food? What if he’s trying to drug me to make me more pliable? I don’t actually know what to do. I’m kidnapped but in a weird and really wrong way. I feel safer with him after those men took me. I feel as though he really means it when he says he can protect me.

About an hour passes before the door opens, and I glance up. Luka walks in, balancing a tray in one hand. I take my headphones off. “I said I wasn’t hungry.”

“I know you’re lying,” he says, coming to set the food down on the big bed.

I look at it. “What is it?”

“Fried spicy chicken, garlic and onion rice, savory gravy, and mixed vegetables. To drink, I brought you a soda.” He sets it down on the bed and watches me. “I would have preferred to eat together, but if you eating means I have to wait until you’re done, then so be it.”

“You haven’t eaten?” I ask.

“I was waiting for you. When you're done, I’ll go back down and have something to eat,” he says.

I feel a twinge of guilt, but then I remember he stole my ID and falsely got me married to him. I turn to put my headphones on.

“Starving yourself won’t help your cause,” he says casually. “Do you really hate me so much?”

It surprises me how he is surprised.

“You married me behind my back,” I say. “How can I not hate you?”

“I did it for your own protection. Do you not understand that? I wanted to keep you from harm.” He sighs. “Maybe I should have spoken to you first, but I’m very decisive. Once I’ve decided it is the right thing to do, I just do it.”

“Then don’t be surprised when people hate you,” I say.

He pushes the food toward me. “No one has ever really hated me for my decisions before. They normally fall for my charming smile and forgive me instantly.” He smiles, and I shake my head.

“Not good enough.” I look at the food, and my mouth waters from the smell.

“Come on, you want to eat. I can see how hungry you are. Just have a couple of bites, and if you don’t like it, I’ll take it away.”

I push my laptop to rest beside me and pull the tray onto my lap. Once it’s balanced, I pick up the knife and fork and tuck into the food. It’s as delicious as it smells. I groan a little, and I see Luka’s face light up.

He tries to hide it, and I blush slightly. “It is okay.”

“Just okay? That’s my mother's recipe.” He gives me a grin and settles back.

“You should go eat. You look hungry, too.” I say before taking another mouthful of chicken.

“I’ll go now. I don’t mind keeping you company, though.”

“Are you a bad guy?” I ask suddenly. “Like, do you do bad things to people? Is that why you can protect me?”

Luka looks at me thoughtfully. “How old are you?” he asks.

“Twenty-three,” I say. “How old are you?”

“Thirty-seven this year,” he says.

“You’re too old for me,” I comment.

“No such thing. My brother Kervyn—you’ll meet him soon—and my brother Danil are both more or less twenty years older than their wives.” He sits a bit straighter.

“Did they also force them into marriage with them?”

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