Page 64 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

"Listen carefully," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "You're going to deliver a message for me. Tell everyone what happened here today. Tell them how the Unholy Trinity wiped out the Amato family. And tell them that anyone who even thinks about touching what's mine will suffer the same fate."

I stepped closer, looming over him. "Do you understand?"

He nodded frantically, his eyes darting between me and the door.

"Good," I growled. "Now get out of my sight before I change my mind about letting you live."

He bolted from the room, and I turned back to Pippa. The adrenaline that had been fueling me suddenly drained away, leaving me exhausted. But as I looked at her—disheveled, a bruise forming on her cheek, but alive—a wave of relief washed over me.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly, reaching out to touch her face.

Pippa leaned into my hand, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I am now," she whispered.

Chapter 23 - Pippa

As we pulled up to the sprawling Ustinov estate, I let out a sigh. It was a sigh that spoke volumes—how I never imagined being back here, how good it felt, how confusing and relieving it was to see Abe come to my rescue.

The iron gates swung open, and Abe guided the sleek black SUV up the winding driveway. My eyes drank in the fortress of safety after the hellish day I'd endured.

"We're here." Abe parked smoothly in front of the grand entrance.

I nodded weakly, my limbs feeling like lead as I fumbled with the seatbelt. Before I could open the door, Abe was there, offering his hand. I took it gratefully, my legs wobbling as I stepped out.

"Easy there, Pip," he murmured, steadying me with a firm grip on my elbow.

His pet name for me,Pip,sent a flutter through my chest despite my exhaustion. I smoothed down my rumpled blouse, suddenly aware of how disheveled I must look.

Then I chided myself for caring.

Abe guided me inside to safety. The tension in my shoulders began to ease, replaced by bone-deep weariness.

"You need to rest," Abe said, his tone brooking no argument as he steered me toward my old bedroom.

"I'm fine," I protested weakly, even as my body sank gratefully into the bed.

Abe raised an eyebrow. "Pippa, you look ready to keel over. Let me take care of you for once, da?"

I bit back a retort, too tired to argue. Abe disappeared for a while, returning with a soft throw blanket and a maid who carried with her a tray. He draped the blanket over me with surprising gentleness for such a formidable man, then had the tray put beside me before dismissing the maid.

"Tea?" he asked, hovering near me with an almost endearing awkwardness.

I nodded, touched by his attentiveness. "That would be lovely, thank you."

As Abe busied himself with the tea service, I closed my eyes, letting the feeling of this bed wash over me. For the first time today, I felt like I could breathe again.

As I sank deeper into the bed, my mind whirled with everything that had happened over the past few days. The change in living arrangements, the fight, the kidnapping. I opened my eyes, watching him prepare the tea with meticulous care.

"You're staring," Abe said, a hint of amusement in his voice as he passed me the tea.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "Just… lost in thought."

He sat on the bed beside me, his face suddenly level with mine. "What troubles you?" His hand reached out, brushing a stray curl from my forehead. The tender gesture made my breath catch.

How could I tell him the truth behind what troubled me? How could I tell him that I wished he loved me? That if I slipped up, I’d never be able to leave. How could I tell him about the dreadful nights I’ve cried myself to sleep since I left here, missing him with every fiber in my body?

So instead, I lied. "It's nothing," my fingers instinctively curled around the warmth of the teacup. "I'm just tired. Today was terrifying."

The memories rushed back. How that man grabbed my leg and pulled me back down with such force off the fire escape that I thought he’d let me fall to my death. How he punched me when I fought back. How I stopped fighting back in fear he’d kick my stomach and I could lose my child?

---