Page 38 of Bought By the Bratva

Chuckling, I took a towel from the rail. Holding it up, I spoke gently, urging her to get out. “Come on, I have a soft, warm bed and some amazing soup waiting for you.” Reluctantly, Nadia started getting up. I assisted her out and wrapped the towel around her. Picking her up, I returned to the room and placed her on the bed.

I had fluffed the pillows and added some more so she could sit upright. “Are you comfortable?” I asked. Pulling up the sheets, I covered her with them.

“I’m good,” she replied, sounding a little slurred. I gave her some of the medicine and then sat down next to the bed while she ate some soup. After a couple of bites, she held the bowl out to me. “Do you really think that was enough?” I questioned, playfully.

Nadia smirked and pulled her face into a scrunch. “Just a couple more,” I pleaded. “For me, please.”

I watched as she took another three bites. This time, when she held the bowl out, I took it. Standing up, I spoke as I kissed her head. “Thank you.”

Placing the bowl back on the tray, I decided to get onto the bed next to her. Nadia didn’t fight me. She shifted down and placed her head on my chest. I lightly played with her hair, allowing my fingers to drift through them.

She fell asleep quickly. Looking down at her, I realized I wanted her in my life no matter what. I had to free her from the hold her family had on her. Preferably sooner than I had planned. I had to be sure she was safe. Grinning, I knew I wantedto introduce her to my family as a woman of our caliber. But I knew I would have to prove her innocence to them.

For now, she was only my secretary in their eyes. A woman to get information from about our adversaries. But soon, I hoped to make her more.

Chapter 20 - Nadia

Abram had assigned me a driver should I need to go anywhere. Today, I was going to get him a gift to show my appreciation for taking such good care of me. I hadn’t decided on anything specific yet, but I felt sure I would know when I saw it.

“Mike,” I said as we left the mansion. He glanced at me in the mirror. “I need to go to a mall, please.”

“Sure thing, miss,” he replied.

The drive wasn’t long, as there were various places nearby. Mike pulled into the parking area and stopped close to the entrance. “We’re here,” he said as he got out. He opened my door and waited for me to get out. “You want me to come with you or wait?” he added as he closed the door.

“No,” I replied quickly. “I’m good, thank you, Mike.”

He nodded and stood by the car as I went inside. I entered the first gift shop I found. I strolled around but didn’t find anything that spoke to me. I had considered getting him a watch. But men like him, men with money, generally had a ton. They had most things, and I was seeking something unique.

I had to find something that popped. Something that could portray what I felt and show my gratitude for all he had done. Entering the third store, I felt a chill running up my spine. Glancing around, I shook it off. I saw nothing out of place and no warning of danger.

Moving on, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. By the fifth store, I felt sure someone was following me. I wish I had accepted Mike’s suggestion to come with me. My heart started racing, and sweat broke out all over my skin. I swallowed hard as I headed for the exit.

I would come back with Mike, I thought as I turned. The door was in sight. If I could only make it outside, I thought, glancing back. I stopped in my tracks. It felt like I had walked into a brick wall. Looking up at the large man standing before me, I felt my heart drop to my shoes.

“Vadik,” I huffed, catching my breath.

“Hello, Nadia.” He spat, dragging me into a clothing store and moving to one of the dressing rooms.

As we slid through the curtain, he let go of my arm as he continued. “Do you want to explain why I needed to come all the way here to get you to do your work?” His voice flowed with anger, sending chills down my spine. I had only experienced his anger twice in my life. It wasn’t a pretty sight.

Keeping my tone low, I answered, giving him my best innocent look. “I was just doing what you asked. I did provide you with details on Abram, didn’t I?”

Vadik sneered as he spoke. This time, the aggression in his tone was evident. “No, you were supposed to provide us with information on the enemy that we could use. The things you have been sending are useless. As are you, it appears.”

Swallowing hard, I wondered what he was going to do. I knew I wasn’t going to get off unscathed. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled, looking down at my feet. If he intended to hit me, I didn’t want to see it coming.

Vadik stepped closer, grabbing hold of my shoulders. He shook me hard. “You’re hurting me,” I whispered.

“Then make sure you get what we want. Deliver real information by tomorrow. If not, shaking is the last thing you need to worry about.” He let go and stepped back before speaking again. “You will give us the information. If not, theChernykh’s will go after Abram and his entire family. You know we ow them and have to do what they ask. They will destroy them and drag your sorry ass back to us. Do you understand?”

My blood ran cold as ice as his words sank in. Fear clutched me. It was trying to strangle me as I realized I had placed Abram in more danger. By not giving them anything, I had made the situation worse. My cousins had worked for the Chernykh’s for as long as I could remember.

Yet, nothing else mattered to me anymore but Abram’s life. Deciding I had to deal with this, I looked up as I replied. “I will get you the intel by tomorrow. But after this, I am done. I want out. You and the Chernykh’s can raid them or do what you want. But I am tired of this. I want a normal life. I want no more of this business.”

I paused, waiting for a reaction. To my surprise, Vadik appeared calm. I could see he was considering all I had said. After a while, he grinned. Nodding his head in agreement, he spoke. “I can consider letting you go if you give us intel that is worthy of it.”

Sighing, I nodded. “I demand that you let me go. I will give you everything you need. But I need two or three days. Then, this is the last, Vadik. I am done.”

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