Page 30 of Bought By the Bratva

“Bill and Emma Spieling,” I said. As the words left my lips, I wondered if our last name was real, seeing that none of my family members shared it.

“Well,” Tasha said, rubbing my back. “I’m sure you still have some memories of them. You have surely done things together as a family.”

Thinking back, I felt my mood changing slightly. “Oh, yes,” I said, smiling at her through my tears. I felt the warm salty tears running down my cheeks but didn’t care anymore. “There were some amazing times.”

Tasha pulled me close and gave me a quick hug. “There,” she said in a light tone. “You do have memories.”

Laughing, I suddenly felt a little silly for feeling so down. “I wish they never died,” I added.

“You have memories. You should always keep those with you. Never forget them or allow others to destroy them for you,” Tasha added, squeezing my arm lightly.

Smiling at her, I nodded. She was so easy to talk to once I got to know her a little. It felt like we were sisters. I felt glad that I asked Abram if I could meet her. Even though she was highly inquisitive, she was a joy to be around.

“Well, well, well…,” Tasha said, smiling broadly at me. Without turning her face, she spoke to Abram. “Brother, you must do something about this.” Winking at me, she turned toface him and continued. “You will have to surprise her with something.”

Tasha leaned forward, tapping his knee as she whispered. “A woman has to know she is appreciated, you know?” Abram grinned as he nodded in reply.

“No, there is no need, please,” I added, feeling my cheeks heating up.

“Oh, please, don’t know me,” Tasha said, turning back to me. “I know you want it, so just let this one be.”

Smiling at her, I nodded in agreement. I would love something special, but I didn’t expect it. I was used to my birthday being just another day.

Tasha gave us a low bow as she rose. “This has been fun. But I have to get going. There is still some work to be done.”

Abram got up and pulled her into a quick hug as he spoke. “Thank you for coming. We must do it again soon.”

Getting up, I wanted to respond but wasn’t sure what to say. “Thank you,” I mumbled, glancing at my feet.

“Come here,” Tasha added as she pulled me into a hug. “I had fun with you and look forward to getting to know you better.”

Abram walked with us back through the house and out to Tasha’s bike. “See you soon, and keep safe,” she uttered, pulling on her helmet.

Abram nodded and pulled me closer. We stood side by side, watching Tasha start her bike and drive off. “I have some work to get done as well,” he added as we headed in. “I will see you at supper.”

He kissed my cheek as the door closed behind us and went upstairs. I collected the book I left outside and sat in the library reading. Heading to change for supper, I hear my phone going off again. I knew it was my cousin even before I checked it.

‘We need intel now!’ the message said. Sighing, I wondered how I was going to explain everything that was happening. ‘I met his sister today. Tasha seems to be the brains of most operations.’

After sending the message, I regretted it. But there was nothing I could do about it. ‘We need more, this means nothing to us,’ Vadik responded.

‘Give me more time, I am working on it,’ I sent back and put my phone on silence. I didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

Chapter 17 - Abram

It had been two days since Tasha came to meet Nadia. Tasha still hasn’t spoken to me or told me what she thought. It made me a tad uneasy as my feelings were a mess. Standing on the balcony, my phone rang. I pulled it from my jeans and glanced at the screen. It was Tasha, finally.

I let it ring a couple more times to calm the sudden onset of nerves. Answering, I heard Tasha’s sweet voice filled with a hint of distress.

“What took you so long? I was about to send the guard squad to look for you,” she uttered.

Bursting out in laughter, all the tension disappeared. Taking a deep breath, I answered her. “Sorry, sis, I was busy. It’s our day off, so I was scanning some things.”

Before I could continue, Tasha cut me off. “Let me guess, you were watching Nadia, weren’t you?” Something in her tone made me wonder if she disliked Nadia.

Thinking back at her visit, I wondered if she was pretending. It truly seemed that she liked Nadia. They spent most of the time together chatting like old friends. Now, I felt unsure. If it had all been an act, I would have to admit that she was getting good at it. She even had me fooled.

Before my mind could make any more conclusions, Tasha spoke again. I realized she had been quiet for quite some time as I was rambling off in my mind.

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