Page 72 of Virgin Bratva Hostage

I haven’t told Ruslana about the threats her brothers have been making.

I am terrified that they will make a plan to kidnap her back. To take her from me by force. So, I’ve stopped letting her leave the house. She is back to being a prisoner in my mansion and she doesn’t understand why. I didn’t even take the time to explain it to her because I don’t want to put wedge between herself and her family.

On top of that—I have been avoiding her too.

The more I’m around her, the less clearly I am able to think.

Ihaveto treat this like a business deal. There are pros and cons and risks to be weighed up.

I have to clear my mind and make my choices for the greater good—not just for myself. And I can’t do that if she is influencing me with her smile, with that beautiful laugh and just by being who she is.

I’ve spent most of the last few days out of the house and at one of my offices. Then at night when I get home, I eat quickly or go straight to bed to avoid a conversation with her.

I can tell she is annoyed and confused, but for now, it just has to be this way. I have to stay away from her as much as possible. I have arranged for extra guards to keep an eye on her and the mansion in case her brothers arrive.

Pacing around in my office at one of my businesses, Royce walks in.

“Sir, I heard you were worried about the brothers trying to take her by force. Are their threats getting that bad?” he asks, taking a seat at my desk even though I didn’t invite him to do so.

He leans back in the chair and flexes his fingers until they crack.

I glare at him, but he seems oblivious to my annoyance.

“The threats have not reached the point where they are saying they will take her by force. No, they’ve just threatened to cause shit at the businesses. But I am being cautious. I have extra security at the house.”

Royce leans forward, his hands knotted in front of him.

“You have security outside the mansion, right? I volunteer to be her personal bodyguard. I think it will be better if she has someone with her at all times. I can head over to the house now and then you won’t have to worry about any of her brothers. They won’t get past me.”

I narrow my eyes at him. Why the hell is it that he is so eager to be the first in line when it comes to anything to do with Ruslana? He has volunteered numerous times for anything that gets him close to her.

It’s starting to piss me off. It makes me wary of him and I can’t help but wonder what he is really up to.

But then again, he is just making a suggesting and offering to help.

I’m high-strung at the moment and probably just annoyed at everything. It’s not his fault that I feel like this.

I sigh, trying to calm myself down so that I don’t take my mood out on the people who work for me. Like Royce.

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

“Sir, I really think you—“

“I have already decided who I will be appointing as her guard. Thank you for the offer, but my mind is already made up.”

“I am the strongest man on this team,” he says aggressively.

“Royce, I suggest you stand up, walk out of my office and calm the fuck down. Don’t ever speak to me with that attitude again—do I make myself clear?”

He leans forward in the chair, resting his face in his hands. “Sorry, sir. I’m just stressed about the constant threat of her brothers looming over us.”

He switches so quickly from angry to apologetic. It feels fake.

He stands up, smiling, nodding and saying sorry. “Who is going to be looking out for her?”

“Dex will be doing it. You can go back to work in the warehouse. I don’t need you around the house today at all.”

I eye him closely, his micro-expressions hinting at what he’s really thinking. My instincts are telling me never to let him near her again, and especially not to leave her alone with him.

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