Page 51 of Bought By the Bratva

Looking from one to the other, I realized they were telling the truth. “Why do you think you weren’t severely punished for the failure?” Vadik added.

Feeling conflicted, I glanced back at Emma. She has been very helpful the last couple of weeks and even offered me this job. I wasn’t sure if I should return with them. “Can I think about it?” I inquired.

“There’s no time. Nadia, you are in danger,” Vadik reiterated.

“Just give me time,” I pleaded. “Have lunch, and then we’ll talk, okay?”

My cousins looked at each other before Vadik shook his head in agreement. “Okay, we’ll have a round of burgers, fries, and more coffee. When we’re done, you leave here with us.”

The three men stood up before I could even think of a reply. They were staring angrily over my shoulder. Turning, I was surprised to see Abram and his brothers standing in the doorway. What was going on today? I had barely started working, and everyone I was hiding from found me.

“No, no, no,” I said briskly, walking to Abram. My heart was racing. Having my cousins and the Dubow brothers in one place only brought trouble. I couldn’t afford for them to go at each other. “You have to leave, please, I don’t want a fight here,” I begged.

“We’re not here to fight,” Abram replied softly. “But we do need to sit down with your cousins.”

Glancing back, I noticed Vadik nodding ever so slightly. “Please, Abram, keep this civil,” I added. He smiled warmly at me before I turned and walked them to the table. I went to the counter and collected three more cups and a warm pot of coffee.

Vadik and my cousins were now sitting on one side, with Abram and his brothers on the other. I poured the coffee as I listened to Abram speaking. “We do not want to fight. We have come to ask you to leave Nadia alone.”

“We will, however, give you a warning,” Anton added. I could see they were very serious, and I knew this wasn’t a social call.

“If you try to take her back, or even attempt to look her way,” Abram said sternly. “We will make sure that we destroyevery business the Chernykhs own. We have all the information on everything.”

Vadik opened his mouth to speak, then closed it as Anton lifted his hand. “But, if you leave her alone, neither we nor the Morozovs will come for them. We will back off and leave them alone.” Anton interrupted.

I watched in fear as my cousins shared a look. I have seen this look many times before. They understood clearly what was required of them. Vadik smiled at me as they rose from the table. The three hugged me and left without another word.

“Nadia,” Abram said softly. “Please sit with me.”

I saw Emma looking at me with raised brows. I was sure she was puzzled but also curious about what was happening. Anton and Akim got up and walked to the table by the door. I watched them take a seat before sitting down.

As I sat down, I placed my hands before me on the table. I felt nervous and swallowed hard. I had no idea why Abram and his brothers came looking for me. I was grateful that he got rid of my family, as I wasn’t ready to return to them. Looking at him, I wondered what he wanted in return.

Abram moved closer to me, taking my hands in his. He spoke softly as he caressed my hands with his thumbs. “How are you doing, Nadia?”

Suddenly, I felt conflicted, angry, and confused. “You came all this way to ask me how I am doing?” I huffed. “You could have sent a text if you wanted to know.” I heard my voice rising slightly as my irritation came through. But I didn’t care. Pulling my hands back, I placed them in my lap.

“No, no, that’s not why I came,” he uttered, quickly moving closer. If he came any closer, he was going to sit on my lap. For a moment, I thought he might.

“I wanted to see you.” Abram lowered his head as he took a deep breath. Looking up, I saw a flash of something in his eyes, yet I didn’t know what it was. “Nadia, I want you to come back with me.

Feeling dizzy from the onslaught of emotions, I got up and turned to leave. Abram grabbed my hand stopping me. I listened as he spoke without turning to face him. “Please, Nadia, I’m begging you, just hear me out.”

Glancing around, I saw all eyes were on us. I didn’t want to make a scene, so I sat back down on the other side of the table. Starring at the empty cups before me, I waited for him to continue.

“I never intended on hurting you, it wasn’t part of the plan,” he said softly.

I didn’t move as I wasn’t sure what to make of his words. I wanted him, but I didn’t want him. My mind and heart were fighting an eternal battle. Having him here was only making it harder.

He continued as I just sat like a statue, waiting for my emotions to calm. “I came to apologize to you. I have not done right by you. But I’m still the same person you got to know.”

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Abram placing his elbows on the table and lowering his head to his hands. I could hear a hint of sadness in his voice as he continued to speak. “I’m telling you the truth. Can we start over?”

Feeling my tears bubbling up quickly, I wanted to run and hide. Shaking my head lightly, I thought of slapping him for allthe pain he’s caused. But I couldn’t move. Taking a slow deep breath, I considered my words with care.

But before I could speak, he continued. “I am part of a bratva family. I have no pets. I prefer showers over bathing. I drive a red BWM. I enjoy seafood and movies.”

Baffled by his utterance of random facts, I looked at him. Why was he giving me the information I already knew? Searching his eyes, I wondered if he was trying to tell me that he was speaking the truth.

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