Page 66 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

We go downstairs to a study, and Asher brings three chairs to surround a large-screen computer. “Get everything you need, some new bedding and toiletries, I want you to be comfortable here.”

I nod and Penny smiles at me. “You know, Kervyn and I are trying for another baby. The cousins can all grow up together.”

“You would want to bring another baby into this family? With all this danger?” I ask.

“There’s always danger. There’s danger everywhere. You have to make the most out of what you’re given,” Penny explains.

I sit back slightly as Penny and Asher chatted away about their husbands and children. I don’t have anything else to do, so I pay attention as best I can. I am trying not to focus on Luka and what might be happening to him.

Where could he be? Will Arseny find him in time?

I see some admittedly really nice bedding on the screen, and I put a hand on Penny’s arm. “Wait, let me see this one.”

“That’s the spirit,” Asher says. “Hold on, Jade is fussing, but I’ll be back.”

I watch her leave. “Where’s Samuel?”

“The nanny is watching him at the moment.” Penny smiles at me and then turns back to the screen. “So, let’s put this in the basket and go look at some fun things for your future nursery too. Do you have any ideas of a theme you might want?”

“Isn’t it too soon to be thinking about buying stuff?” I ask.

“Were just throwing some things into the basket for later, a wish list if you will,” Penny smiles. “I know it seems early but the months speed by.”

“Rainbows,” I say. “I love doing colorful makeup, and I love doing rainbows the most. So colors are a must.”

“So lots of colors. Let’s search for rainbow colors and see what comes up.” She types on the keyboard and hits enter.

Asher comes back and sits down with us. “She’s gone back to sleep.”

“Why is she sleeping so much?” I ask curiously. “Is something wrong with her?”

“No, babies do sleep a lot, but she’s teething, so she’s not feeling well.” Asher grins. “The joys of being a parent. I’m exhausted.”

“Why don’t you hire a nanny? Like Penny.” I watch her.

“I have one. She’s just on paid time off for the last three weeks. She’s back next Monday. She had some family stuff to sort out.” Asher looks over Penny’s shoulder. “Oh, are we going for rainbows? You need that rainbow height chart marker. We have a Llama one for Jade.”

I look at the screen and nod. “It is cute.”

“Look at the shimmer scatter cushions. Cushions are a must because you will be uncomfortable when you’re feeding at night. Oh, you should also get a rocking chair for feeding time.” Penny beams at me. “We’ll find that afterward.”

“Are those rainbow book ends?” I ask curiously. Penny opens the picture, and they’re adorable. “Please, can I have those?”

She adds them to the basket.

This is how we spend most of the morning before we separate. Asher needs to take care of Jade, and Penny has some work to do, though she doesn’t say what. I wander through the house, bored and trying not to think.

I pass by a door, and I hear muffled voices. I glance around and then lean against the door to listen.

It’s Danil talking to someone.

“Yes, they sent footage. They’re torturing him within an inch of his life, Kervyn. I don’t know how much more Luka can take.”

My heart sinks again. Luka is so nice. He is so sweet and caring, and he’s being tortured because of his family. It makes me upset. I hurry upstairs and into my temporary bedroom. I fling myself onto the bed, and I start sobbing. I feel like I’m just broken emotionally, physically, and mentally.

I’m not built for this.

Chapter 22 - Luka

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