Page 35 of Virgin Bratva Hostage

“They arrived and everything went pear-shaped. They obviously had some other plan up their sleeve. Maybe the goal was to take more than they ordered—I don’t know. Things got violent and they started shooting, my men took them down quite quickly—but not before a lot of my workers got injured. And three of them were killed.Twoof those employees were involved only in thelegalside of the business. They didn’t even know they were working in a place that is just a front for everything else. They didn’t deserve what happened—,“ Avraam sighs heavily, closing his eyes for a moment. He shakes his head, “They didn’t deserve it.”

I watch him closely. He is genuinely hurt by what happened. He isn’t even bothered by the operation going south or the loss of his product—the only thing he’s focused on is the people who died.

“It wasn’t your fault,” I say softly.

“It was my fault, Ruslana. Those people are my responsibility. It is my job to make choices that keep them safe. Over and above everything else, I should be able to keep my people safe.”

His vulnerability is breaking my heart.

I stand up from my chair and walk around the table. I don’t even know what I’m doing, I should just stay seated and mind my own business, but instead, I wrap my arms around his shoulders and hug him.

At first he is tense, clearly also unsure what to do, but then he rests his head against my chest and takes a deep breath.

I think about how he lost his parents so young and he didn’t have anyone to comfort him after a difficult day. He was the one who had to comfort his sister and take care of her.

He deserves someone to take care of him, too. Everyone deserves that.

I run my fingers through his dark, wavy hair, looking down at him, feeling connected to him in a different way, a dangerous way that might start toying with my heart.

The way he cares for his worker,s though, it shows me a different side to him that I am glad I had a chance to see. He isn’t a monster. Not like I first assumed.

Avraam clears his throat loudly and moves away from me, looking awkward.

“Um. Let’s eat before the food gets cold,” he stammers, turning back towards the table.

I walk back to my seat, knowing that my embrace made him uncomfortable, but I’m glad I did it.

I’m glad I snuck into his office, too. The little bit that I have learned about him has made me hungry to know more.

He is far more fascinating than I could have imagined.

Chapter 11 - Avraam

I eat quietly, struggling not to look at her.

Her gentle reaction to my story shocked me and caught me off guard.

The way she held me—I felt incredible warmth—but then mild panic and I had to force myself to move away from her.

I don’t show people that side of myself. Any sign of weakness is a death sentence in my business. I don’t show emotions or share secrets. Everything eventually gets used against you.

So why did I open up to her like that?

She makes small talk for the rest of dinner and I nod, commenting here and there, but still surprised by how she made me feel.

After dinner, I tell her I’m tired and that I’m going straight to bed.

I hurry upstairs and after a really hot shower, I climb into bed. She comes into the room, gathering her sleeping shorts and the oversized t-shirt and carrying them into the bathroom.

My heart is beating too fast.

I don’t know what the hell is going on with me.

I hear the shower go on and smell the sweet scent of her body wash.

The bedroom lights are off and after finishing in the bathroom, she moves in the dark, climbing beneath the covers and lying down next to me.

Quiet, heavy silence floats between us.

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