Page 10 of Bought By the Bratva

“I’m working from home this week. This way, I can keep you company,” he replied.

My blood turned to ice as his words hit me. Jumping up, I protested. “No, please, don’t disrupt your life for me.”

“Calm down, Nadia,” Abram replied. I watched as he got up and walked towards me. “You’re not disrupting my life. I want to be here with you.”

“You have a schedule; I’m sure you have meetings and things to do. Please don’t change anything for me. I’ll be fine,” I added as he took hold of my shoulders. I could hear my tone pitching but couldn’t tell him why I actually wanted him gone.

“Don’t worry, I promise it is nothing. I work from home lots of times.” Abram insisted.

Smiling at him, I spoke calmly as I got up. “Excuse me, I have to use the bathroom.” Walking out quickly, I entered the bottom bathroom, closing the door behind me. Placing my headagainst the door, I breathed deeply. With him at home, I couldn’t snoop as planned. How am I going to get the intel I needed?

With him here, things may not work out as I had hoped. Walking to the basin, I rinsed my face. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I spoke softly to myself. “Nadia, get a grip. You have to pull yourself together. You can do this.”

Taking another couple of deep breaths, I straightened my clothing and headed out. Looking around, I didn’t see anyone. Abram was either still having his coffee or back upstairs. Heading down the passage, I examined the rooms quickly before anyone noticed I was gone longer than it should have been.

I opened the first door, which led into a linen closet. As I closed the door, Abram spoke behind me. “What are you looking for?” His tone was so energetic and sudden, that I almost jumped out of my skin.

Turning, I held my chest as I tried to catch my breath. “Abram,” I breathed out, not sure what to say.

Abram cracked up into a laughing fit. Putting my hands on my hips, I felt my anger quickly climbing. “That’s not funny,” I breathed out.

He stepped closer and took me by the shoulders. “You should have seen your face. Can I help you look for what it is you were looking for?” he inquired lightly.

“I heard the guards talking of a crafting room. I wanted to see what it was, what you crafted?” I responded, folding my arms across my chest.

“Well,” he said, turning me to face the hallway. “You almost had it; just further down, let me show you.”

He pushed past me and headed down the hallway. Three doors further, he opened a door to our right. “Here you are, mylady,” he said, grinning as he slightly bent forward. With my arms still folded I walked past him into the room.

Entering the room, I had to place my hands over my mouth to prevent the gasp from escaping. “This is the biggest arts and crafts room I have ever seen,” I huffed. Glancing around, I couldn’t believe all the things it held.

Abram stepped in and closed the door. “This is nothing; you should see the other one,” he said behind me.

“There’s another room like this one here?” I asked, turning to face him. Stepping back, I found myself standing against a small table.

Abram laughed as he spoke. “No, not here, but at my brother’s house.”

Nodding, I moved to the side. There was a painting on a stand to one side, and I walked to see what it was.

“You like painting?” he asked, moving towards me slowly. There was something mischievous in his look, but I couldn’t place it.

I was slightly hesitant to reply as I didn’t know what his response would be. Yet, if I didn’t, he may get angry. I didn’t want to do anything that upset him. I hadn’t seen any aggression, but my family warned me.

Plus, I needed to get close to him so if this was something he enjoyed, I would adjust. “Haven’t really tried it,” I said, glancing at the empty canvas.

“How about being painted?” he asked, grinning.

Giving him a raised brow look, I wondered what he meant by that. Turning my head to the side, I watched as he walked to a couch in the middle of the room. “You sit here,” he said.

Moving towards me, he picked up a paintbrush. As he got to my side, he slid the brush down my arm as he spoke softly. “I could see painting your body; it could be fun.” I shook lightly as he touched my nose with the tip of the brush.

I was so deep in thought that it took me a couple of seconds to realize what he was implying. “No…,” I huffed, moving away from him. “No, I do not think that would be nice. Paint dries, and getting it off might be challenging. I have to say no, sorry.”

Turning away, I tried to focus on some of the wall paintings. I felt my cheeks heating up as I blushed.

Clearing his throat, Abram laughed as he spoke. “Well, that wasn’t what I had in mind. But we could paint each other and then lather in a soapy tub if you want.”

Looking down at the floor, I wondered if that was what I would end up having to do to get access. Turning slowly, ready to meet him halfway, I noticed the empty room. “Abram?” I said softly.

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