Page 45 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

“I shook her. I didn’t mean to, Wynter. I was just so worried about her.”

“You probably just scared all the good work you’ve done out of her,” Wynter says. “That’s why I refuse to date anyone. I can’t love someone, not when I have to do what our family asks me to. There’s no room in our lives for love.”

“What about Kervyn and Danil?” I ask. “They found love.”

“They’re management. They don’t have to do the things we do on the lower levels. What do I tell the woman I love? Hi Honey, sorry I just have to pop out to put down a guy, but I should be back in time for dessert.”

“I want Hannah so much,” I say. “Is there nothing you can say? Any sage advice to win her back?”

Wynter shakes his head and deals another hand. “The only advice I can give you is to find someone within our ranks—someone who knows what we do already and accepts it. I can’t offer you more than that because I’ve sworn off women.”

I push my cards away and sigh. “There must be another way. Some way to win her back.”

“I’m sorry, Luka. Our way is not an easy way.” Wynter plays his hand and rakes in the chips. “Maybe it would be for the best if you let her go.”

Chapter 15 - Hannah

I lie on my bed, and I sob into the pillow. It’s too much for one person to take. I was starting to think he was a good guy, that maybe we just started on the wrong foot. But now, when he shook me like that, I’m terrified of him.

I feel torn in two; one part of me wants to believe he’s genuine and that he cares about me, while the other part of me wants to hide from him.

Everything just came rushing back at me as he shook me. The gunshots at the casino, the stampede on the dance floor. Waking up in a stranger’s house, being kidnapped… twice. Being married behind my back and pulled out of my life apparently for my own safety.

I was taken by him—the sexiness, the charm, the good guy act. I bought into it, but now I’m just scared again. I’m terrified of him and what his life represents.

I cry until I have no more tears left, and then I go to the en-suite bathroom and take a shower. Once I'm done, my head is a little clearer, and I dry my hair and get dressed. I go into the recording room, which is a little shy of a studio, and I set up my laptop and configure the new equipment. It might be a little too fancy for the software I run.

I take out my notes for the show's first half and set them up in front of me. I hit record and begin my podcast, barely pausing for a breath. About halfway through recording, there’s a soft knock on the door, and I pause.

“Come in,” I call.

The door opens, and Asher slips in, “Hey, Hannah.”

“Asher, hi.” I stand up, taking my headphones off. “How are you?”

“Great, thanks. Sorry, did I interrupt?”

“No, it’s fine, it’s fine. I record in segments and then edit it all together, so it’s no problem.” I shift from foot to foot. “Is something wrong?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were all right after this morning.” She moves closer. “After everything that happened.”

“Luka told you about that?” I ask quietly. I forgot they’re best friends, of course, they spoke about this. “If you’re here to win me over for him.”

“Of course, Luka told me. Penny is staying at my house after the shooting with Sam,” Asher says, confused.

“The shooting?” I ask, sitting down. “What shooting?”

“There was a shooting this morning at Kervyn’s estate. They narrowly missed him, too. Luka was called there to sort out where everyone was going to stay until things had blown over. Why? What did you think I meant?” she asks. She steps another step closer. “Did that idiot Luka do something to you?”

“No… yes… well, in light of the situation.” I shake my head. “How can you live like this? With your husband's family being a mob family? How do you sleep at night?”

“I love my husband a lot,” Asher says. “So it’s easy to choose this life even when it isn’t always full of easy choices.”

“I don’t know if I can do this,” I say quietly. “I just don’t know if my heart can handle it.”

“It does get easier, and whatever Luka did, I’m sure he’s really sorry.” She gives me a sad smile. “Try not to overthink it too much.”

I nod, and she leaves.

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