Page 67 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

I keep slipping in and out of a wakeful state. When I am awake, they beat me, asking me questions about the casino, but I refuse to answer. I simply spit blood out when too much gathers in my mouth. I’m pretty sure I’ve hit one guy with my blood twice cause I got hit quite hard after doing that.

I hear someone shuffling nearby, and I raise my head and squint. “You guys are going to regret keeping me from my family.”

I hear two men laugh, and one grabs my face. “Your family will pay the ransom, or you’ll die.”

“The only people dying today are you and any guards around this place.”

They laugh again. “We’ll just leave you to hang out and die,” the one Italian says. “You’re done for anyway, whether they pay the ransom or not.”

I hear them shuffle off. I feel like my arms are being yanked out of their sockets, and I nod off again.

I’m only there for a moment, though, before I force myself to look up. There’s a commotion outside. “Finally. Sooner than I thought, I guess.” I try to keep my head up and watch my brother Arseny walk in with blood spattered all over him.

“You waste my time when you get kidnapped.” He steps aside as Wynter walks in with some of our men. I’m not surprised that they have blood on them as well. “Get him down,” Arseny says.

I groan out loud as I’m lowered and my bindings are cut. As the blood rushes to various places, specifically my arms, I feel pins and needles and pain.

I click my neck, and then I fall forward. Wynter catches me along with Monty. They gently help me walk out of the warehouse and to their car.

“We’re taking you straight to the clinic, Kervyn’s orders,” Arseny says.

“I think my ribs are broken,” I shift slightly and groan. “My ribs are definitely broken. But that doesn’t matter. I need to speak to Kervyn. Ask him to meet us there.”

“He’s already there waiting. Take it easy. There’s lots of time to catch up, and we already know who did this.”

“Yes, but they didn’t just kidnap me for ransom. First, they were looking for information.”

Arseny and Wynter look at each other.

I close my eyes and lean my head back. I feel a bit dizzy, but I keep my eyes closed. When we get to the clinic, there’s a gurney waiting to take me. Wynter helps me get onto it, and I gladly rest as I’m wheeled into the clinic.

They take me into a room, and doctors and nurses come to get me out of my clothes and start attending to me. I hiss when they touch places that are too tender, and I growl once when a nurse comments about my excellent physique. My physique belongs to Hannah.

“Calm down,” Kervyn says from the door where he’s leaning on the frame. “They’re just helping.”

“Where is Hannah? Is she okay?” I ask.

“Why wouldn’t she be?” my brother asks.

“They know she’s pregnant,” I say. Kervyn isn’t surprised. “She told you?”

“She blurted it out in a moment of panic. She’s at Danil’s estate, you don’t have to worry. Asher and Penny are keeping her busy. I’ll have her brought here once you’re sorted out.” Kervyn walks in as they inject me with a painkiller.

“Did they say anything?” he asks, standing next to the bed, not caring that the nurses are trying to put a line in my arm.

“They wanted to know about our casinos. My casino. They kept asking me over and over again about it and what it was worth to you. They had a couple of questions about you and some choice names I don’t care to repeat.” I groan as I sit forward so they can bandage my ribs.

“This is interesting because last year, the Pachecos were interested in Danil’s casino. However, they shot yours up. That’s a major difference.” Kervyn rubs the stubble on his face. Something isn’t adding up. They are money launderers, but they don’t need casinos for that. They run tons of businesses to launder through.”

“Can I see Hannah?”

“She’s on her way, patience.” Kervyn tilts my head. “They hooked you good and well on that eye. What have I told you about protecting your pretty playboy face.”

“I don’t have a pretty face,” I grumble.

Kervyn chuckles. “I’m glad you’re okay, Luka. I would have been seriously pissed if you got killed on my watch.” That’s about all the emotion I’m going to get out of my brother. He has an image to upkeep.

“I’ll hang around until Hannah gets here so I can explain to her to be gentle with you. And don’t try to act like a macho man. You’re injured, and you need time to heal.”

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