Page 9 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

Dammit.

Dammit.

I go to the curtain and peek out the window. I am almost hissing as I recoil from the bright light that makes me dizzy again. I open the curtain slightly to let some light in, but it hurts my eyes. I squint as I slip into my shoes again.

There’s nothing for it. I’m going to have to go out and face the man who brought me here and hope he hasn’t kidnapped me.

As soon as I think that, I panic. I need to find a way out of this room without going through that door. I go to the window and look down. There isn’t even a ledge to crawl out on, and we’re in what looks like a penthouse apartment. Just looking down at the street makes me dizzy and nauseous.

Maybe I can arm myself. I look in my clutch purse and find a pen. I could stab someone with a pen and run for it. Perhaps I shouldn’t have my shoes on. They’re not running shoes.

I slip my shoes off and hook them on my fingers.

I keep my clutch strapped close to me and hold onto the pen for dear life.

I step toward the door and freeze. I'm just standing there as time ticks by.

I juggle my shoes and twist the handle for the door, swinging the door open into a brightly lit room.

Chapter 4 - Luka

Well, this posed a potential problem. My casino got shot up, and I rescued some girl I thought was attractive.

Okay, more than attractive.

I feel completely drawn to her in every way.

As the night progressed, I could see she was getting tipsy and then drunk, and I had this innate passion to want to protect her. Her cousins didn’t seem to care too much that she was getting out of it, which frustrated me. My brothers and I drink together, but we take care of one another.

When the shooting had started, I’d panicked because she’d just left. Then she and her cousin, the Bride-to-Be, came stumbling back inside. I had heard the shots over the music. It’s a sound I’m unfortunately acclimatized to.

I don’t know who was being shot or who was doing the shooting, but my focus zeroed in on Hannah and her cousin trying to get her out. She was scared and disorientated, and I skirted along the sides until I could get to her, wrap my arm around her, and bring her to me.

No one knew about the emergency side exit. Only the backstage ones were lit up. A man has to have his secrets.

I led her out of the building, and then she was in my arms and in my car, and I was taking her home. I carried her from the car to the elevator and from the elevator to my bed. I slipped her shoes off gently and left them beside the bed. I untangled her clutch from her grasp and set it on the chair. I slipped the covers over her, and the moonlight dappled across her pale, freckled skin. I would take what I need from the room for the morning and shut the curtains.

She didn’t stir for one moment, blissfully asleep.

Had I been drunk myself, this may have ended differently. I would have wooed her into my bed a lot earlier.

***

I wake up in the guest room and stretch. I get up, shower, and get ready before I go to the kitchen and put a pot of coffee on. While it brews, I prepare my protein shake so I can head to the gym. I glance at the watch I have on. I’m going to be late if she doesn’t hurry, but I also don’t want to leave her here alone. There’s a knock at the door, and Monty walks in.

“Do you want to go straight to the casino?” he asks.

“Are there cops there?” I ask, picking up the newspaper he sets on my counter.

“Dozens, all want to speak to you, of course.” He stands with his hands clasped in front of him.

“How exciting, but after the gym, Monty. Do you think Miss Hannah is going to be awake soon?” I glance at the bedroom door.

“Couldn’t say, sir,” he says with his thick British accent. He’s a hired gun, a retired assassin from England looking for an easier gig. I’m surprised I’m seen as an easier gig.

Then again, there haven’t been as many threats made to my life as Kervyn’s and Danil’s. I like to think it’s because I’m likable and reasonable. The thought makes me snort slightly.

The door to my bedroom opens, and I glance over as Hannah steps out, a pen in her hand. She looks paler under her freckles, if that’s possible.

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