Page 79 of Virgin Bratva Hostage

“My security team—well—just one man—he gave me the confirmation—“ My heart clenches tightly when I realize that Dex never confirmed anything. It was Royce. It was always Royce pointing fingers at the Kuznetsovs. He was always the one who had confirmation—who pushed—who caused shit.

“I—,“ I stammer, as puzzle pieces fall into place. Royce is behind my suspicions.

“What? Speak up, fucker,” Rigor says, stepping towards me.

“Royce lied to me,” I blurt out, coming to a full realization.

“Who the fuck is Royce?”

“I didn’t attack you and you didn’t attack me—we are being played,” I say to Rodion, trying desperately to get him to understand.

“By who?” he says, unconvinced.

“By someone else. Someone who wants us to be fighting.”

Royce has been lying to me this entire time.

He was obsessed with Ruslana from the beginning. I don’t know if he hates her or not—but he was obsessed with her. Wanting to watch over, wanting to torture her—every move he has made has been an attempt to get her alone—to have her to himself.

The new, darker panic that floods me is worse than my worry about what the Kuznetsovs had planned for me.

Now I am worried about Ruslana.

She is with Dex—but Dex doesn’t know who Royce really is. He doesn’t know that Royce has been playing us all since the beginning.

“Rodion—you have to listen to me. I have to go. I have to get back home.”

Rodion and his brothers crack up laughing. Rigor snorts loudly, “Nice try. The fuck we are going to let you go until you return our sister to us.”

“This is about your sister. I think Ruslana is in danger. I think one of my men has been playing me,” I beg them to understand and believe me.

Rigor shakes his head, refusing to listen. But Rodion’s eyes narrow.

“You think your man is responsible for the attacks on us and on your own men?”

“Yes—I think he orchestrated it so that we were focused on each other instead of on him. And now I think he is going to go after Ruslana while I am distracted with you.”

“Where is she?” Rodion demands.

“She was at my home, with my security team—but the guy, Royce, he is a member of that team.”

“He has access to her?”

“Yes.”

Rodion stares at me for a long time. I know he’s trying to read my face and I hope to hell that he believes me. His sister’s life might depend on it. If I’m wrong, and I hope I’m wrong, then she’s safe at home. But if I’m right, she is in serious danger.

I’ve seen the darkness in Royce. The warning was right in front of me all along. I saw how he handled her when other people were around. I can’t imagine what he would do to her if they were alone. I have to get there—now.

Rodion nods.

“Fine. I have no choice but to believe you because the risk of not doing so is one I am not willing to take. But we are coming with you. If Ruslana is in danger, there is no fucking way I am not coming with you.”

I stand up, nodding, eager to get going. “Fine. Ride with me, follow me, I don’t give a fuck, do whatever you want—but let’s get going. Now.”

Rigor glances towards Rodion, looking for confirmation. Rodion nods.

“Rigor, in the car with Avraam. The rest of you—let’s get going. Ruslana needs us.”

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