Page 31 of Bought By the Bratva

“Brother, stop overthinking everything. I have to add that I feel you must look out for her. Keep her close but…,” her words trailed off, and I swallowed hard.

I could hear her taking a deep breath before she continued. “I like her and think she can be good for you. However, I do feel you are moving way too fast. You have to keep your heart guarded. Things can take a turn at any time.”

Frowning, as I stared at the monitors, I replied to her half-absently. “You’re wrong, Tasha. I haven’t let her in yet.”

I could hear Tasha giggling as she came back at me. “If you say so, who am I to argue? But, let me leave you to get back to your stalking.”

Before I could reply, putting her straight, the line went dead. How dare she? I knew what I was doing. Tasha was a child and didn’t know enough about matters of the heart to comment on what I did.

Shaking my head, I sat back, returning my full attention to Nadia. I watched as she moved around her room and then popped her head out the door. She glanced left and right and closed the door again. Nadia moved to the window and stood staring out.

After a bit, I heard my phone beeping. I couldn’t help but check it. It was an update from some of the workers on a shipment that was about to go out. Seeing her still standing at the window, I had to check my phone every time it made a sound.

I sighed as I put it down for the third time, realizing I was checking it like I was obsessed. Maybe Tasha was right, I thought, staring at Nadia. I noticed her arms were moving ever so slightly. This time, when my phone beeped, I knew it had to be her.

Opening the messages, I saw Nadia had received a text from her cousin. I looked up as Nadia turned and glanced at herroom door. Opening the message, I read it, ‘Do you have any new information yet?’

I was surprised at her quick response. ‘Yes, I do,’ she sent back. I noticed she looked nervous as she kept glancing at the door over her shoulder.

As the next text reply came, I felt my anger flaring up. ‘Stop wasting our time and give us what you got.’

I tightened my fist as my anger increased. I wanted to smash their faces in and teach them how women were to be treated. They had no respect or love for her, in my opinion. Yet, I could kind of understand her loyalty. I still believed that I could turn her, though.

Wondering what she was up to, I leaned closer to the monitor as if I would be able to hear her thoughts. I heard her humming as she typed her reply. Hearing the beep, I quickly looked to see what intel she was sending. Reading it, I almost fell off my chair.

‘Abram has three sons he loves going to more than anyone else. He makes a point of visiting them every day. Your intel on his said nothing about children. How am I supposed to compete?’

Nadia had barely sent that one when the next one went through. ‘He only wears blue, grey, and black ties with no apparent patterns. It is so boring here.’

Reading this made me smile. But as the next one went through, I literally fell off my chair laughing, thinking about their reaction to it.

‘I must also add that he sounds like a boar when he sleeps. Plus, he swears like a hundred-year-old sailor. He also leaves theseat up, after using the bathroom. How do you think I must work with someone like this?”

After the last message, she didn’t receive any reply. Watching her, I noticed her laughing as she turned and sat down on her bed. I felt good knowing she didn’t send them anything real.

I watched her for a few more minutes to ensure she was done. Getting up, I left my room and headed to my office. I had placed the gift I got there. Now felt like the perfect time to show her I appreciated her. Once I had it in hand, I went to her room and knocked lightly.

Nadia opened the door, smiling at me as she spoke. “Are you alright?”

Nodding, I held out the wrapped gift. “Happy birthday, Nadia,” I said.

She looked stunned and, for a moment, just stood there. As she eventually took it from me, I noticed the tears in her eyes. “May I come in?” I asked.

Nadia stepped to the side, allowing me to enter. Closing the door behind me, I watched as she moved to the edge of the bed and sat down. “You didn’t…,” she started saying then swallowed hard. “I’ve never gotten…,” she added as the first tears lazily made their way down her cheeks.

“You’ve never gotten a present?” I asked, astounded.

Nadia nodded slowly while opening the gift I got her. Realizing she had never received birthday gifts or any gifts, I had to sit down. I was furious as everyone deserved a gift for their birthday. I could still excuse other times, but a person’s birthday is special.

She stared at the necklace I had bought her like it was something precious. I fought the intense urge to pull her into my arms and hugged her tightly. I reminded myself that the main objective was to ruin her family and the bratva they work with. However, I would also save her from them.

I felt sure she would realize I meant well and was trying to help her. Once this settled with her, I knew she would abandon her mission and leave her family. If done right, she would break free from her family by herself.

Nadia stood up, holding the necklace out to me. She spoke so softly that I had to listen carefully. “Would you do me the honor?”

Moving closer, I took it from her nodding. Nadia turned and pulled her hair out of the way. I placed the necklace around her neck and fastened the clip. A sweet note of strawberries filled the air as I stood closely behind her. Once the clasp was fastened, I trailed a gentle line down the part of her back that was exposed.

Nadia stiffened but didn’t move. Leaning closer, I tenderly kissed her neck. “I’m glad you like the gift,” I whispered.

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