Page 59 of Virgin Bratva Hostage

But the most beautiful part of it all—is her smile.

I stand up and walk over to her.

She holds up the letter, her eyes locked with mine. I want to reach out and hug her, but I don’t want to push my luck too far.

“This,” she sighs, the smile softening.

“I am not very good and expressing myself—I just need you to know how sorry—“

Standing on her tiptoes, she presses her lips against mine, the kiss silencing my words.

I wrap my arms around her and pull her tight against my body. Holding her like this feels incredible.

This is all I want. This is everything I need.

We kiss slowly and tenderly for a long time.

I don’t even know how long passes before she pulls away from me.

“You don’t need to say anything more, Avraam. The letter—it was perfect. It was all that was needed. And this is—it’s so special. Thank you.” She lifts the butterfly pendant in her fingers.

“Do you like it?” I ask, feeling giddy and relieved, tension seeping from my shoulders as I stare into her eyes.

“I love it. You didn’t have to buy me all of these gifts though. Just the letter would have been—“

“But you look gorgeous.” I grin, tugging at the pink hoodie. “All of these colors—and that beautiful smile.” I pull her towards me again and kiss her, more passionately and with more force. The kiss is another letter. Another apology. I hope she can feel the words of my heart as I move my lips against hers.

I step away from her, taking her hand and leading her towards the table. “Are you hungry? Come eat with me. I’ve missed you.”

She hesitates, then nods and sits down.

I watch her, wondering if she has possibly not fully accepted my apology. “Are you ok? Is there something else you want to say to me? You can speak your heart, Ruslana. I will listen.”

Her eyes stare into mine. She is nervous.

I frown slightly, worried about what is going on.

“I need to ask you a favor,” she says, finally.

“Anything.”

“Can you please investigate the attack properly—find evidence—to be one hundred percent certain that it was my brothers that did this?”

I clench my jaw and take a deep breath. I know it was her brothers.

I have accepted that she played no part in it—but I know it was them.

But how can I say no to her?

She is filled with hope that they would not do such a thing. She loves them. They are her family. But that love is blinding her to the truth.

But if she needs evidence—then I will find it for her.

I nod, relenting to her, “I will investigate further, butterfly. I will find proof.”

Chapter 18 - Ruslana

Avraam has been tense and agitated all week.

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