Page 39 of Bought By the Bratva

“Agreed, thank you,” he said before turning and leaving.

Sinking on the small footstool in the corner, I breathed out heavily. I felt relieved that he had left and didn’t pick up on my feelings for Abram. Standing, I looked in the long mirror. “Okay,” I spoke to my reflection. “You’ve got this.”

Leaving the clothing shop, that impending feeling of being watched was gone. It was because of Vadik. With him now out of the way, I could continue my search for a gift for Abram.

After I gone through another three stores, I finally found it. I bubbled with excitement as I paid for it. They even gift-wrapped it for me. Mike was still waiting by the car. Opening the door for me, I felt he noticed something as he spoke. “You okay, miss?”

“Yes, fine,” I replied, giving him a warm smile. I stared out the window as we drove back, lost in my thoughts. I was conflicted with all the emotions running through me. Deep down, I hoped that Vadik wouldn’t pick up on any of the vibes I was giving off.

What if he did, but he didn’t say anything? I prayed that I would be able to keep Abram out of this mess. Mike glanced at me in the mirror. Smiling at him, I knew my eyes were wet from my unshed tears. I had developed deep feelings for Abram. But I couldn’t do this any longer. I didn’t have the strength to keep up this charade.

But I didn’t dare leave my cousins holding empty bags in their hands. I had to give them something. I knew they owed the Chernykhs their lives even though I didn’t know all the details. They had a debt to repay, and this was it.

Thinking back, I remembered hearing them talking about drugs that had gone missing. This was something to do with my youngest cousin, Pavel. The other incident no one would talk about. As far as I know, these two events were the ties that bound my family to the Chernykhs.

Mike pulled up to the front door and stopped. Glancing in the mirror again, he spoke in a light tone. “We’re home, miss.”

“Thank you, Mike,” I replied as my door opened. Stepping out, I thanked the guard and headed inside. Once inside, I went up to my room to hide the gift. I knew Abram rarely came inhere, so it would be safe. With it carefully stashed under my old clothes, I went to the library and lay reading.

I was still there when Abram returned home. I heard him calling up the stairs for me to come down for dinner. I placed the book back in its place and headed to the dining room. Abram was already seated when I walked in. He stood and pulled out my chair.

“Good evening,” he said as I sat down.

“Hi,” I replied shortly.

Abram poured a glass of wine for me before he sat down. “How was your day?” he asked as the staff brought out our supper.

Glancing at him as I stirred the food around on my plate, I wondered what to say. I was scared that if I opened my mouth, everything that had happened would simply pour out. Nodding, he seemingly accepted my silence. We ate without another word.

As the plates were taken from the table, he spoke again. “Would you like to watch a movie before turning in for the night?”

I hated and loved the fact that he was being so nice to me, even though I didn’t want him to be. I wanted to be angry; I wanted to hate him, but I couldn’t. He made everything worse by taking good care of me. I nodded as he got up. He pulled out my chair and walked with me up to the entertainment room.

“You decide what to watch, and I’ll get us some hot cocoa to go with the movie,” Abram said as he left me there.

Watching him leave broke my heart. Even though I wasn’t speaking to him, he still wanted to care for me. After the movie, he walked me to my room. He whispered as he kissed my cheek. “Good night, Nadia.”

For a moment, I stood there numbed. How was this man still being so nice? Entering the room, I closed the door softly and leaned against it. My chest felt tight, as if something was pressing down on it. Flopping down on the bed, I cried myself to sleep.

It was still a bit dark outside when I woke up. I felt slightly better than when I went to bed. But my heart was heavy. I had to deliver actual intel today. I had no idea how I was going to get it, but I knew I had to.

After washing, I left the room and went downstairs. Abram was already up. He was having his morning coffee in the small sunroom where we had most of our breakfasts.

“Morning, you’re up early,” he said as I walked in.

He rose, pulled out my chair, and continued as I sat down. “I have an early meeting and will be working late tonight. So, I won’t be home at all today.”

This was it, I thought. Something out there in the universe had heard me crying for help. With him gone all day I was sure to get some intel.

I was startled out of my thoughts as he spoke again. “I have decided you can do whatever you please today. You have free reign. The driver will also be available should you wish to go out.”

As his words sank in, I realized he had been giving me more and more trust even though he barely knew me. I only now comprehended how much he trusted me. I had never received such trust from anyone. Not even my family. They have never shown or given me so much trust in my entire life.

I sat in silence as he got up and left. Once I heard the car leaving, I got up. Now was the time to act. With him gone, I couldtruly dive into everything. I would find something and send it to Vadik to get this done with.

Entering his office, I felt guilty. I was conflicted by what I knew I had to do and what I actually wanted to do. My emotions were all over the place as I searched through his files, books, and even his computer.

As I made notes of the warehouse locations, the guard schedules, and the items stored at each, it felt like my mind was burning up. How would I live with myself after I gave Vadik all this intel?

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