Page 56 of Virgin Bratva Hostage

Royce becomes rigid with tension—looking like he wants to argue—but Dex clears his throat loudly. “I think we all are just a little heightened at the moment. I am sure Royce didn’t mean he wanted to literally torture the girl. Right?” his voice is also filled with disbelief.

Royce folds his arms across his chest and pushes his lips together. “Yeah. No,” he says, not answering the question but backing down.

The space behind my eyes is starting to throb with the threat of a headache.

“Is there anything else we need to discuss for now or can we end this meeting?” I ask, ready to walk out of here. Royce has pissed me off more than he knows.

And I am annoyed with myself because even after what Ruslana did—I am still so protective over her.

I am the only one who will ever touch her. Royce—the idea of him being anywhere near her—it burns like a raging fire in me and I do want to tear him to shreds.

I can’t look at him anymore.

It’s not his fault, though. He was probably just trying to help solve this shitstorm.

I have no evidence that the Kuznetsovs were behind the attack but it’s the only thing that makes sense.

I have taken their sister and they are slowly acting out their revenge. Instead of just coming straight for her they are causing damage and draining my energy and resources.

“I think we can call it for today. There are some other things to talk about—but they aren’t important,” Dex says, looking over some notes on the table in front of him.

“Are you sure?” I sigh, getting ready to stand up.

“Yes.” He is good at reading people and he can see I’m past the point of patience or focus. It’s late and I want to head home.

The only problem is that she’s at home.

The girl who caught my attention captured me in so many unexpected ways, and then betrayed me.

I stand up, gathering my things. “Thanks, guys. I hope you all have a good evening.”

Walking out of the car, I find myself thinking about Ruslana. She was so adamant that she had nothing to do with the attack. She was determined to convince me that she was innocent.

At the time, I just pushed her away. Harshly. Very aggressively, actually.

I sigh as I climb into the car.

She said she couldn’t have been involved because I had her under such tight lockdown.

And the more I think about it, even though for the first few days following the incident I didn’t want to think about it at all—the more Idothink about it—the more I realize she is right.

Who could she have spoken to?

No one has been in that house except her and I. She has no way of speaking to anyone outside. The entire internet and communication system inside the house shuts down whenI leave. It was one of my security requirements. I took every precaution to make sure that she was unable to contact anyone.

I ring my hands around the steering wheel, flooded with guilt. The more I calm my mind towards her, the clearer the truth becomes.

I judged her instantly and harshly, because I was so upset in the moment. And I was completely unfair towards her.

What I did to her was actually disgusting.

I should never have treated her that way.

I was a complete savage. Brutal in some ways.

Shaking my head, I clench my jaw and swear at myself under my breath.

“You fucking idiot, Avraam.”

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