Page 98 of Virgin Bratva Hostage

“Grow the fuck up, Rigor,” Roda snaps, angrily. “And pull yourself together, this is a family dinner.”

Rigor shakes his head again. “No, this is a joke. He’s not family. I don’t have to be here for this. You can all play pretend and sit at the table with him—I’m leaving.”

“Rigor—,“ Rodion calls out as he walks away, but Rigor ignores him.

In a desperate move to reach out to my brother, I run after him and stop him before he gets into his car.

“Rigor, please—come inside. Just try—“

Rigor sighs, angry, not willing to budge. He looks up at me with sadness in his eyes. “I love you, little sis. You mean the world to me—but this is a mistake. Being with him is a mistake. You deserve so much more than that.”

“Rigor, you’re wrong. If you just take the time to get to know him, you’ll see he’s—“

He slams his car door, cutting off my plea to make him understand.

Without looking at me again, he starts the engine and pulls away. I am forced to jump out of the path of the tire.

I tried.

And I will try again next time.

Just like Avraam says. Rigor not being willing to accept our relationship doesn’t change anything.

I still love him, and I will still choose to be with him.

Rigor will come around one day.

I climb the stairs back into the house. At least Roda is trying.

When I walk through the door, Roda is waiting there for me.

“Don’t let him get to you, kiddo.”

“We were always so close, I don’t understand why he won’t even try.”

“You guys were always close, that’s why he went a little crazy when you were kidnapped. You have to understand that you were gone for months and he blames all of that anxiety and worry on Avraam. Give him time.”

I lean into my brother's hug as we walk back towards where everyone is standing.

Avraam smiles when he sees me and Roda steps away.

I snuggle against Avraam’s side.

“You ok?” he asks quietly.

“Are you ok?” I whisper back.

“I’m the happiest man on this entire planet—in the universe in fact.”

I giggle and punch him playfully in the chest. “I’m being serious,” I laugh.

“So am I, butterfly. I really am the happiest man alive. You are my whole world. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The rest of the night is better than I expect it to be. Avraam is calm and ignores any poked remarks. He chats with my brothers and their wives and Raisa is particularly sweet to him which I really appreciate.

Even though the evening goes well, I am still so relieved when we walk out of the house and climb into our car.

Avraam chuckles, “You look like you just took your first breath of air all night.”

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