Page 38 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

“No, today I’m going straight to the casino. There are some final things I need to sign off on. Besides, my cousins and brother are busy as well.” I sit down, and my maid, Anica, brings a plate of eggs, steak, and bacon.

“That’s a lot of protein,” Hannah points out.

“I know. It’s my usual breakfast if I’m skipping out on the gym.” I start to eat, consulting my phone.

It’s nice to sit in each other's company and eat, and when I’m done, I wipe my mouth on a napkin and kiss Hannah’s head again. “I’ll see you later.”

“Have a good day at work,” she says, distracted by her book.

I walk out to the sedan that Monty has already running, and I climb in. We head toward the casino, and we’re about halfway there when a car t-bones us out of nowhere.

Our car skids along for a few feet before we come to a stop. I’m thrown to the other side of the car because I don’t have my seat belt on. Monty draws his gun, but the driver is knocked unconscious.

There’s another crash nearby, and I hear gunfire. I duck down as Monty shouts for me to do so.

He can’t get his car door open, so he scrambles out the other side and drops next to the car. There is the sound of squealing tires, and I look up as the driver that hit us has woken up, jumps into the other vehicle, and takes off.

People are screaming and shouting, and then my door is ripped open by my cousin Wynter.

“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

“I’m fine.” I get out of the car and look around at the destruction. “Monty, get ahead of the police on this.” I look at Wynter. “You were hit, too.”

“A block away,” he points down the road. “I was driving myself. Luka, what do you want to do about this?”

“Whatever we do, I can’t let Hannah find out I nearly died.” I look at him.

Maybe I can’t always be honest with her.

Chapter 13 - Hannah

Meryl says you can come to the wedding with your husband as your plus one, but don’t make a big deal out of being married.

Mom x

That’s all she has said since I told her I eloped. She feels cheated out of a wedding. Which I completely understand. Still, it was awkward trying to explain to Luka.

Now we’re at this beautiful wedding and need to pretend to be husband and wife like we’re hopelessly in love. Luka came home the other day with a cut on his head, but he wouldn’t say where he got it from. He’s been acting very overprotective since then.

I sit in the car for a moment longer, and Luka looks at me. “If you don’t want to attend…”

“No, I need to attend. I can’t make Meryl more upset with me than she already is.” I look at him. “This is going to be a disaster.”

“No, it won’t,” he says calmly. He leans over and kisses my lips sweetly. “Remember, I will just charm everyone.”

“But keep the wedding about, Meryl,” I say nervously.

“Of course. Come on, we are going to be late if we don’t go now.” He gets out and helps me out of the car. We approach the area where the ceremony is taking place and sit at the back on the bride’s side.

The ceremony and Meryl are gorgeous. I’m sad I didn’t get to do her makeup as planned, but I’m happy she looks so radiant on her day. I wouldn’t have done anything different.

My parents notice us when they turn around to watch Meryl come down the aisle. My mom purses her lips before she whispers to my father, who side-eyes Luka.

When the ceremony is done and everyone is taking photos, Devon comes to fetch me for family shots. I leave Luka alone at the reception entrance and go to where the wedding shots are being taken.

Meryl sees me coming and gives our other cousin, Christina, her flowers before she marches toward me. I’m scared, but she hugs me tightly and whispers, “Thank you for coming.”

“Oh, Meryl, I would never want to steal any happiness from you,” I gush, tearing up.

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