Page 113 of Bratva Knight

My phone beeped. I reached into my pocket and pulled it out. It was a text message from Andrea, confirming the flight details for tomorrow. Unease flickered through me. Up until Tatiana’s kidnapping, I had been more than prepared for the mission. I’d gone over the plan a thousand times with my siblings. Packed my bags. Mentally and physically prepared myself.

But now…

Now things were different.

I couldn’t possibly leave. Just theideaof not being in the same room as Tatiana sent me into full-blown panic mode. How could I possibly complete the mission if my mind was there? If I was constantly worried about Tatiana? I couldn’t.

“Why do you look so grumpy?”

My gaze rose and collided with that set of beautiful hazel eyes that sent my heart racing. All I could do was stare, so incredibly thankful she was there, alive and well.

Tatiana moved to sit up and I jumped up to help her. “Cut that out,” she chastised, slapping my hands away. “I’m not an invalid. I can sit up on a bed on my own.”

“Have pity on me and let me help you. Please.”

Her face softened. “I could use some water?”

I nodded. I got to my feet and went to the pitcher of water on my dressing table, pouring a glass. I returned and offered it to her. She took it, drinking the whole thing in one go.

“Thank you,” she said, placing the glass down on the bedside table. “Alright, out with it.”

I frowned. “Out with what?”

“You’re mad at me, aren’t you? That’s why you look so grumpy. You’re mad I joined in on the trap set for Franco—”

“No, Tatiana. I’m not.”

It was her turn to frown. “You’re…not?”

I shook my head. “I know exactly what kind of person you are. You don’t like to leave things unfinished. Of course I knew you’d want to see this thing through. I’m mad that Arturo didn’t give me the time to be there. I’m also mad you didn’t tell me what was going on. I didn’t even know the trap was taking place until Arturo showed up here, telling me you’d been taken.”

She winced, avoiding my eyes. “Yeah, I didn’t think you’d like that one. But I was trying to save you from any unnecessary worry.”

I gave her a deadpanned look. “And how did that work out for you?”

She bit her lip. “Alright, you win. I apologise. I should have told you. Had the situation been reversed, I would have wanted you to tell me.”

“You don’t need to apologise to me, Tati.” I sat on the bed and placed my hand over hers. She flinched slightly, so slightly I doubt I would have noticed it if I wasn’t staring right at her. Guilt gripped my heart and I went to take my hand back, but she quickly latched onto it, refusing to let go. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she answered immediately, giving me that classic Tatiana smile. It didn’t seem forced or fake. And I would know. “Really, I am. You got there just in time before anything could happen—”

“Tatiana,” I said softly but firmly. I held her hand with both of mine, trying to support her, to comfort her. “You don’t need to do that with me. Don’t downplay it and make out like nothing happened.Something did happen. He assaulted you, regardless of whether or not he raped you. He touched you when he shouldn’t have, and I’m so sorry I couldn’t get there sooner to stop it.”

She looked down at our hands. “His touch, it was…repulsive,” she shivered. “I wish I could kill him again. I wish we’d had more time toreallymake him suffer.”

“Me too.” I raised her hand to my lips, kissing her skin softly. “But at least we know hedidsuffer.”

“How did you find me, by the way? Franco said he destroyed the tracker in the back of my neck.”

My gaze darted to the necklace around her neck and back up.

She gasped. “You didn’t,” she said, touching the little golden heart.

“I did. And I’m not sorry.”

“Well, neither am I now,” she scoffed. “First my phone, now my necklace…how many others are there?”

I smirked, mischief dancing in my eyes. “I don’t think you want to know the answer to that question.”

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