Page 97 of Virgin Bratva Hostage

“And why did I marry you?”

“Because you love me, and you want to be with me forever.”

“And this ring means that it’s you and me against anything that wants to tear us apart. You are my everything, Ruslana. If you get nervous tonight or feel like your family isn’t accepting our relationship, just look at this ring and know that one day they will. Because our love is real—they will see it—and I will never stop loving you.”

“They wouldn’t even come to our wedding,” I sigh.

“I know—but remember, I already promised you a second wedding whenever they are ready.”

I smile, remembering how I didn’t want to wait, I wanted to elope and marry him right away. He was just as eager as me.

I twist my ring around my finger, loving how it feels. Loving what it means.

I pull my mouth to the side. “How are you always so good at calming me down?” I ask, standing on my tiptoes, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down to kiss me.

“Ugh, you know, I just know you better than anyone else in the entire world.” He laughs.

I reach around him and grab his butt cheeks, squeezing tightly.

“Hey, if you start that now we are going to be late,” he warns me.

I roll my eyes. “Fine, I’m ready to go.”

In the car, my nervous tension all comes back, and gets especially bad the closer we get to Rodion’s place. Avraam reaches over and places his hand on my thigh, sensing my discomfort.

“Roda will be understanding,” I nod, thinking about each of my brothers and how they will react. “Roda is calm and open to change. I’m not worried about him.”

“Who are you worried the most about?” he asks, as we turn into the driveway and he parks the car near the front door.

“Rigor—I guess—he’s the one who had the most to say about it.”

“Let’s just focus on the good things for now. Roda will be fine with it, and then rest of your brothers will all come around one by one.”

I nod, hopeful that he’s right.

Avraam walks around the car and opens my door for me. He holds out his hand and I smile as he pulls me against him, kissing me one last time before he leads me into my brother’s house.

Things are tense.

In fact, they are horribly awkward.

But mostly it’s coming from me.

I need to relax.

I’m so nervous I’m building it all up too much in my head.

Rodion walks towards us. He hugs me against his side and then holds his hand out to Avraam. Avraam shakes his hand and the hope inside me grows. “Welcome to our home. Can I get you a drink?” he asks politely.

“I’d love one. Whiskey if you have it.”

“A man after my own heart.”

We walk through the house and Rodion introduces Avraam to everyone. Even my brothers that have already met him during the rescue mission when they took Royce down—he introduces everyone again, because this is a new situation—a calm setting. We can all start again.

Each of my brothers reacts slightly differently. Some are more rigid, some are polite, some are actually friendly. But as I guessed, Rigor is just downright rude.

When Rodion walks towards him, Avraam walking with him, Rigor snarls and shakes his head. “Keep that fucking brainwashing asshole away from me, Roda,” he warns, loud enough for me to hear. My heart sinks.

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