Page 65 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

There can be no question that now that he’s gone, possibly forever, I feel like my life has been shattered into little pieces.

“Hannah,” Kervyn says, coming down the stairs with Danil.

“Please, what can I do to save him?” I ask. Kervyn does the unthinkable and hugs me.

“Calm down. Being upset will serve no purpose.”

“Kervyn, please, I can’t have this baby without him,” I sob.

Kervyn pushes me away and looks down at me. “Baby? You’re pregnant?”

I nod as I cry, and he puts an arm around me. “Don’t worry. Arseny will get him back. He hasn’t failed us yet.”

I glance at Arseny, who gives me a disapproving look.

I wipe my eyes and look around. “What am I supposed to do while I stay here?”

“You can hang out with Penny and Asher with the kids until the threat passes,” he says, leading me up the stairs. “Penny and Asher can help you set up a temporary room for yourself and Luka when we find him”

I look up at him. “Does the threat ever pass?”

“Sometimes… There are times of peace. It’s just about who wields the bigger stick.” He leads me inside, where Penny is waiting for me.

“Oh, come here, sweetheart.” She opens her arms and hugs me to her. “Everything’s going to be fine. It’s not the first time someone’s been taken.”

“I’m not built for this,” I groan, resting my hands on my still-flat belly. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“Let’s look at the spare rooms and decide which will make a great temporary spare room for you to stay in. We can play cards, some board games, you can record your podcasts. I can have you’re your things brought over.”

“I should be with Luka,” I whimper.

“It’s okay. We’ll keep you busy. We can work on a theme for my next nursery, and then you can do it with Luka once he’s found.” She takes my arm and leads me upstairs. I glance over my shoulder and notice Jonah following us.

“You’re pregnant?”

“Not yet but I hope to be,” Penny says. “I love decorating nurseries though.”

I look back and see Jonah is still following us.

“Is he always going to be following me? Even in the house?”

“Yes, for now,” Penny says. “Don’t worry about it. You get used to tuning them out.”

Asher is at the top of the stairs and hugs me as soon as she sees me. I give a little sob as both she and Penny hold me in their arms as though we really are sisters. Blood means nothing at this point.

Once we’ve had our moment, the girls show me around the house. When we get to the guest rooms, there’s a whole wing I can use just for Luka and myself once they find him. I feel empty looking at it, though.

I want Luka back in my arms where I can hold him. I want him to hold me. The way he holds me at night protectively. I’ve never felt more safe than I do in his arms.

If he had just cut ties with his family, this wouldn’t have happened. But here they are, comforting and welcoming me into their home when they don’t need to. They’re not heartless. If anything, Kervyn has shown me a very kind side to himself.

I pause at the third door. “This one,” I say quietly.

“Okay, perfect. Let’s go gather around the computer and pick out anything you need to be delivered.” Penny takes my hand and leads me to the room next door. “This can be your bedroom, so you’re close.”

“I just want to use the room for storage. I don’t think we’ll stay here for long,” I say.

“That’s it, Hannah. Stay optimistic.” Asher means well, but I don’t think she understands that if Luka doesn’t cut ties with his family, I will.

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