Page 6 of Bought By the Bratva

“Good, we have to get moving,” he added.

Opening the door, I found him still standing there. He spoke kindly as our eyes met.

“Let’s go home.” He smiled while taking my bag. He led the way out and down back to the car. The drive was quiet, which I preferred. I was getting myself ready for what lay ahead.

No amount of planning could have prepared me for the giant mansion he called home. As the building came into sight, I breathed in sharply. Stopping in front of the iron gates with the mansion sitting on the hill inside, I felt my heart stop for a second.

On top of the gate pillars were huge statues that looked like male angels looking at each other. One held a long sword, and the other looked like he had a lightning rod in his hand. Where the iron gates came together was a large crest, which I assumed was their family crest.

The gates opened, and Abram drove up the hill to the mansion. We drove around a fountain with another angel on top of it. This one held both the sword and the lightning rod. The road led up and around the fountain, returning to the gate. As we stopped by the half-moon stairs leading to the front door, his men were waiting.

Abram got out and collected my bag as his guard opened my door. I felt like Cinderella stepping into a fairytale. Looking up at the three-story white and gold mansion, I felt small. I expected extravagant, but this was breathtaking.

It looked like his mansion was built in the middle of a forest. Thick, lust green trees filled my view as far as I could see to both sides. Looking wide-eyed at Abram, he smiled at me.

“Let me show you your room, and we can take a tour once you’ve settled,” he said, taking my hand.

His touch was warm and soft but unexpected. Pulling my hand back quickly, I headed up the steps. I didn’t want him touching me as it made my stomach turn. There was electricity between us. But I had to stay focused.

Stopping by the door, I glanced back and nodded lightly. I looked forward to seeing the rest of the mansion. Heading in, I was stunned by its beauty. Inside the door to the left was a small table with a telephone and what looked like a basket for his mail. Ahead of us were two staircases.

There were four exits on the bottom floor, two left and two right. The stairs also led left and right. It appeared the place was a lot bigger than it looked from the outside. Abram led me up the left staircase and headed down the hall. There were a couple of doors down this side. Only two were open, though, towards the end.

We stopped in front of a plain white door. Abram turned to me as he opened the door. “This room will be yours during your stay here,” he said lightly.

I smiled weakly at him as I stepped into the room. The décor was very modern with a touch of elegance. It felt more like a fancy hotel room than one inside a home. Living alone and being Bratva, I felt sure he didn’t have many visitors. An interiordecorator surely designed this room. And I was sure the rest of his home would be more of the same.

Walking over to the bed, Abram placed my single suitcase, which was more like a bag, on the edge of the bed. Smiling at me, he spoke softly.

“Through that door,” he said, pointing to the left. “Is the bathroom. This one,” he added, pointing to the back right-hand side. “Leads to a small study and entertainment room. You can use it as your own. Down the hall is a library, if you like reading and the kitchen is downstairs.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, turning back to him.

Abram was standing at the door.

“Let me show you downstairs,” he said, holding out his hand. He was overly friendly, which made me a bit skeptical. My cousins had warned me of the dangers that could lay ahead, and I was wary. “Come on,” he added. “I mean you no harm. You can stay here until you get back on your feet, no judgment.”

It was all so knight in shining armor that it made me uneasy. According to Vadik, the Dubows were pure evil.

Hesitantly, I took his hand and allowed him to lead me downstairs. As we passed the library he mentioned, he stopped, opened the door, and allowed me to peek inside. It was small but had a variety of books.

On the bottom floor, he led me to the right. There was another library much bigger than the other one. He showed me the indoor gym, swimming pool, and a door leading to the side of the house. There was a beautiful little flower garden with two tables and chairs. This was surrounded by a lush green lawn stretching to the side and back of the house.

Where the lawn stopped, a thick forest of trees started. We walked around to the back of the house. There was another garden with tables and chairs and a large outside pool. Looking at the soft lawn, I was sure it would be ideal for my morning yoga.

Abram walked to one of the tables and pulled out a chair. “Have a seat,” he said.

Sitting down, I noticed the maid coming closer. She was carrying a tray with coffee and some food. “I am sorry for all you’ve been through. I know this must be hard,” he added.

I looked at him, wondering if my cousins truly knew what they were talking about. I felt a glimmer of hope settling as I listened to Abram.

“I can’t fix your past, but I promise to help you as much as I can. I promise you this…” I found myself leaning forward as I hung on to his words. “I will help you get back on your feet. I promise nothing bad will happen to you as long as you are with me.”

Surprised at the sincerity in his tone, I couldn’t help but smile at him.

“Thank you,” I replied both to him and the maid as she placed a cup before me. She smiled, nodded, and headed back in.

We sat drinking our coffee in silence. I studied the backyard, needing to know all I could about the layout of the place. After my coffee, I got up as I spoke. “Do you mind if I lay down for a bit? I’m feeling a little tired.”

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