Page 66 of Plus-Sized Bratva Prisoner

“What happened? Did he hurt you?”

“No, but he wouldn’t take the money, and he said it’s not over. He said that they were just looking for a reason to come after the Dubrovs and I gave it to them. He—he also said—"

My throat closes with nerves and tension.

“What else did he say, Tia?” Yefim’s voice is gentler now as he watches me struggle.

“He said that I should watch my back.”

Yefim nods slowly, his eyes dropping as he mulls over what I’ve told him.

“Tia, none of this is your fault. The family that asshole works for has been a rival of mine since we came to Boston. They are powerful—but so are we. I promise you, this wouldhave happened with or without you being involved. They really were just looking for any excuse.” He stands up, walking around the kitchen counter, and steps behind me, wrapping his arms around me as I lean my back against his chest.

He rests his chin on my shoulder, whispering into my ear, “You are my wife. You belong to me. I promise you that my family and I will not let anything happen to you. Or any of us. We stick together. If my brothers were willing to go with you to meet the guy, it means they want you safe as well. Trust me. Everything is going to be okay.”

I nod, leaning into him, feeling his warmth and letting it reassure me. He takes the wooden spoon from my hand and starts stirring the pot in front of me. “This smells amazing. Lucky me that I got the hottest girl on the planet and she can cook.” He chuckles, and I can’t help but laugh as well.

He places the spoon on the counter and turns me around to face him.

Tilting my chin up with his hand beneath my jaw, he stares into my eyes.

“It’s going to be okay, baby girl. You aren’t alone in this.”

I smile because I believe him.

He leans down and presses his lips against mine. I melt into him, fitting perfectly in his curves, snuggly in his embrace.

He is perfect. And I am falling in love with him more and more each day.

Chapter 20 - Yefim

My bruises have faded, my body has healed, and it’s time to go back home.

I feel a bittersweet sense of regret leaving the hideout. Tia has been taking care of me, treating me like a king, her tender sweetness has been the most beautiful part of my day, every day since I was injured.

I want to stay in that moment, having her treat me like I am her entire world. I know when we go home it will all change. It’ll go back to how it was before.

“Are you ready?” she calls from downstairs. The driver is here to fetch us.

“I’ll be down in a minute,” I sigh, glancing one last time around the room, at the bed I shared with Tia.

She still has her own room back at home, and I don’t think I will sleep as well without her at my side. Being here has been like stepping outside of our normal life into a cocoon in which we can just be together and not think about anything else.

But we can’t live here forever.

“Yefim? Do you need help with anything?” Tia calls up to me.

“No, I’m walking down the stairs as we speak.”

I walk up to her, wrapping my arm around her side, smiling down at her beautiful face. She stands up on tip toes of kisses me. It still catches me by surprise every time she does it. I’m not expecting her to treat me that way.

I love it.

I adore her.

I don’t want any of this to end.

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