Page 69 of Stolen By the Bratva King

“David…” I trail off and lick my lips. His eyes search mine. I wait a beat, finding my voice, forcing the words out that I’ve felt for longer than I realized, until now. “I love you.”

David’s hands are on the back of my head. His fingers are in my hair. His lips are fusing with mine. His tongue glides into my mouth. He whispers against me. “I love you too. I have always loved you, since the beginning.”

I don’t know what he means by that. If it’s rhetorical, or in a past life, or in a soul bonded way. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m here for it all, the good and the bad.

Shouts and flames and chaos swirl around me, but it’s beautiful in an almost cinematic way. I float through the epicenter of my emotions, and I know then, fate is placing me right where I need to be.

24

David

“Iwant to come with you.” Hazel’s eyes are like spiky, sharp ends of a blade.

“I love you so much, and that’s why I can’t let you do that,” I tell her gently, but firmly.

We’re sitting in the vacant apartment together, as my best crew goes through a rundown on where to strike Oleg next.

“You let me come with you to the other warehouses,” Hazel reminds me.

I glance over my shoulder. Everyone is busy working and talking. I take Hazel’s hand. “Follow me.”

We walk into the empty bedroom, and I close the door so we can talk in private. Hazel’s expression is carved from stone.

“Please don’t give me a hard time about this,” I tell her.

Hazel looks away, staring at the wall. “I’m the one who lead you to where Oleg is doing most of his manufacturing.”

“That’s why I can’t let you go back there. It’s too dangerous. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

“Idoknow. I’ve seen it,” Hazel argues.

I place my hands on her stomach, which is already starting to swell, changing everyday with growing life.

I’m looking at her stomach when I say, “you should consider the baby now. It’s not just about you, or even me anymore.”

When I glance up and meet her gaze, I see the spark of understanding brightening her eyes.

“What aboutyou, then?” She quizzes. “You’re going to be a father. Should you really put yourself in this danger either, by confronting Oleg? You know it will end in gunfire.”

I lift my gaze to the ceiling and release a long exhale until there is no air left in my body, like I’m a crushed soda can. I look at her. “I need to go, Hazel. I’m the boss.”

“Well, I’m coming.” Her defiant voice dares me to argue.

“I hate it when you act like this.” I don’t say it unkindly.

She wrinkles her nose at me. “And I hate it when you tell me what to do.”

I scoff. “Don’t act like a brat.”

“Don’t treat me like one of your men that you can boss around, and I won’t.” Her voice matches the anger in her eyes.

I reach for her hand, surprised when she lets me hold it. I study the frame of her face. We’re in the dark, but my eyes have adjusted to it. Her gorgeous cheekbones and piercing eyes captivate me in a way that disorients me, like being in a dream.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

She sniffs, but she’s not crying. “You shouldn’t call me names.”

“I didn’t mean it.” I squeeze her hand.

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