Page 29 of Bought By the Bratva

Sitting down before my dressing table, I added a smidge of makeup. Feeling ready, I grabbed the book I had borrowed from the library and went to sit at the poolside. It felt like no time had passed when I heard the doorbell.

Checking my watch, I saw it was just before one. Getting up, I placed the book on the table and went inside. Entering the house, I saw Abram was already there. He let Tasha inside and pulled her into a hug as he spoke. “Hi, Tasha, glad you could make it.”

She smiled at him as I walked over. Holding out my hand, I spoke softly. “Hello, Tasha. I’m Nadia. I’m glad you came.”

Tasha looked at me for a second, scanning me from head to toe. She seemed slightly hesitant as she glanced at Abram. He nodded, and she took my hand. I had almost lowered it, feeling sure she wasn’t going to take it. But she did.

The shake was soft and quick. It felt like she was only doing it to please him. Like she didn’t want to, but it was a decent thing to do. Her hand was softer than I imagined. Not that I really knew what to expect of a woman in bratva.

She actually looked normal. She was wearing blue jeans and a yellow shirt. She wore a pair of sneakers, and her hair was pinned up. “Come on, girls,” Abram said as he moved to the other door. “Let’s go sit outside.”

Tasha gave a little jump to his side and followed him outside. I felt a little left out, as if I didn’t belong. I followed closely behind them as they moved to the tables by the pool. I was determined to get as much intel as possible, even if I had to play nice.

Sitting down, I took the chair beside Tasha. Smiling warmly at her, I hoped to break through her hard shell. I listened for a bit as they spoke about this client and that one. Once the food came, I decided to add my voice. If I wanted intel, I would have to speak up.

“So, Tasha,” I said, swallowing food. “Do you also have warehouses, talk to clients, and deliver all kinds of goods like Abram?”

Tasha sat staring at me silently. At first, I thought she was never going to speak again. Her stare made me uncomfortable. It was like she was searching my face for something. I couldn’t read her expression as it was blank. Shifting in my chair, I glanced at Abram, begging him with my eyes for assistance.

“Yes, right,” he said as he rose. “Tasha, I have asked you to come so the two of you could get to know each other. I’m sorry if you misunderstood.”

Tasha turned her head to the side as she looked at him. I couldn’t see her face, but they shared a look. Turning back to me as Abram took the plates in, she spoke in a calm tone.

“Yes, I also work in the family business, just not like my brothers.” Abram returned with some fresh juice. She continued as he sat down. “Their kind of business requires fewer brain cells.”

“Hey, that’s not fair. It’s an insult to us,” Abram added, puffing up his mouth and folding his arms across his chest.

Tasha laughed as she leaned towards him. Punching him lightly on the shoulder. “You know I’m joking,” she said teasingly.

They were so at peace with each other. I felt jealous as I had never had any relationship like theirs. Clearing my throat, I spoke again. “So, what exactly do you do then if it is better than running your own show?”

“Well,” Tasha replied, leaning towards me. “I work in the office and do all the hard work.” Tasha glanced over her shoulder at Abram, who was sticking out his tongue.

Grinning, she continued. “I delve into information. I find out what clients or people are hiding and unlock the things behind the scenes. My job ensures that everyone stays safe.”

I could see she was proud of what she did and loved it.

“Yeah, sis,” Abram interrupted. “You can do things that we can’t and don’t even fully understand most of the time. You should be proud and confident. You are the glue of this family.”

Tasha leaned sideways, grinning from ear to ear as she spoke. “Abram, you are just as important. I don’t know what I would do without you. You have a lot to be proud of.”

I watched in awe as the two smiled and winked at each other. “It’s so nice to see you two so close and that you put family first,” I blurted out before I could help myself.

Tasha turned to me with a questioning look on her face as she spoke. “Come on, you probably have close relations with members of your family as well.”

Looking down into my lap at my fingers twirling around each other, I bit back the tears. I swallowed hard as I fought with them. Feeling a small hand on my shoulder, I looked up. I didn’t even hear her getting up. Tasha stood beside me, squeezing my shoulder and smiling.

“I’m sorry if I said something to upset you. I didn’t mean to sound harsh,” she said softly. I could see the compassion in her eyes; she truly meant what she was saying. This made my heart break even more. Here was a stranger showing me more love than my family ever did.

“No, no,” I replied, trying my best to contain my emotions. “You have said nothing wrong. My childhood has just been very different to yours.”

“You did have a family?” Tasha asked warily. “You had people who you spent time with right? You shared a meal, watched a movie, or just hung out.”

Swallowing the increasing ball of spit forming in my throat, I glanced back at my hands as I spoke. “After my parents died, I went to live with my cousins. They had their own lives and was much older than me. I mostly spent my days keeping my head down and out of trouble.”

Tasha sighed as she pulled her chair closer and sat down beside me. “I’m so sorry. What were your parents’ names?

This was an odd question, but I didn’t have the strength to hide anything. Besides, what was she going to do knowing who my parents were? They didn’t share their last name with my cousins.

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