Page 72 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

I curl up on the chair and hug my knees. I’ve never been so scared in my life.

All I know is that I’m safest with Luka. He can protect us. I sit there and wait until he’s done with the police before he comes to get me.

“Come on, let’s get you back to Meryl’s to get your stuff. Do you want your podcast stuff out of storage? Then you at least have something to do?” He strokes my back gently. “You’re shaking like crazy. Put my hoodie on. It’ll make you feel better.”

He helps me slip into his hoodie, and he’s right. It does make me feel better. It smells like him, and that’s comforting.” I hug myself as we step out of the office. Guards are waiting for us. The police are still around, but they don’t seem to notice me.

Luka probably paid them off to not ask me any questions or bother me in any way. I actually appreciate that. I’m glad they’re not asking me about anything because I wouldn’t know what to say to keep Luka out of trouble.

“You okay?” he murmurs, then seems to reconsider his question and changes it to a statement. “You’re okay, babe. I promise.”

His arm is around my shoulders as we step out into the sunlight and walk to the car, waiting a few paces away. There’s another car behind it with four guards in it, and I climb into the vehicle Luka guides me to.

He gets in and shuts the door, and I rest my head against his chest.

Chapter 24 - Luka

I ask Monty to oversee retrieving Hannah’s things from storage. Danil insists we stay with him, but I’m reconsidering that. If I’m going to try to repair my relationship with Hannah, I’ll need some privacy. So, after swearing up and down that I’ll be careful, Danil lets us take Kitty back to my house with extra guards for Hannah.

Hannah hasn’t really said much since the shooting. She sleeps a lot, and she barely eats. It’s worrying me. I don’t want her or the baby malnourished, but she just seems to be completely depressed.

I hate leaving her at home, but I need to go to Danil’s house for a meeting with Kervyn today. Hannah has taken to sleeping in the guest room, and I’m surprised when she comes downstairs while I’m eating breakfast.

“Hey.” I stand up. “You’re up.”

“I can’t sulk forever,” she says quietly before sitting down.

“What do you want? Whatever it is, I’ll have the cook whip it up.”

“An omelet, please. I’m craving eggs.” She pours herself some fresh orange juice and sips it.

I get up and go to the kitchen. “Anica, please arrange for an omelet for Hannah. Full of tasty goodness, please.”

Anica nods and goes to find the cook while I return to the table. I sip my coffee and watch Hannah.

“I’m glad to see you have some energy today. You know you could record your podcast today if you wanted. Or Jonah could take you to the library for some research. You don’t have to be cooped up in the house all day.” I take a bite of my French toast.

“Maybe,” she says quietly. “Maybe Jonah can go to get the books for me with my library card.”

“You can go out, babe,” I say, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. “You’ll be protected.”

We sit there in awkward silence for a moment before Anica brings an omelet out with some cutlery. She sets it down in front of Hannah and Hannah gives her a small smile.

“Thank you, Anica.”

Anica nods and hurries back to the kitchen.

“Maybe we can do something tonight, just to break the monotony,” I say.

“Like what?” she asks as she tucks into her omelet.

“I don’t know. Watch a movie or something. Go out and have dinner. Something nice.” I try to give her a small smile.

I get a text from Kervyn asking where I am.

“I have to go, but I’ll text you later, okay?” I get up and move to kiss her head, but she pulls away.

Too soon.

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