Page 37 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

The security guard nods, and I go to the living room. The girls are standing around, and Riley comes straight to me. “What's going to happen?”

“I'm going to go look for him. We all are. Stay here, you'll be safe. Martin is going with us, but there are plenty of guards staying that can protect you three.”

“Please be careful,” she says softly.

I want to kiss her, but I need to go. I stroke her face, turn around, and leave. I walk outside to find two guards with a sedan waiting for me. I climb in. “Get us to Lake Mead Marina.”

They pull off and we join traffic. I look out the window at the passing traffic and I say another silent prayer that I find Anton and kill every motherfucker that is involved. If it's the Vultures, they're being bold. They haven't just taken someone we love, they've taken one of our blood relatives. They will pay if anything happens to him.

“Hurry up,” I bark at the guard, driving.

He pulls into the wrong side of the road and starts speeding down, weaving around the cars. I sit back and start tocheck my guns, making sure they're loaded and that the safety is off.

“What are we expecting, Boss?” the guard who's not driving asks.

“We're going in guns hot, we're looking for Anton Milov. You can't miss him. He looks like me.” I put my guns back in their holsters. “Kill everyone who is not him.”

“Yes, Sir,” he says, checking his own gun.

Chapter 18 - Riley

As I watch Viktor leave, my heart feels like it's breaking. Gwen comes over and puts an arm around my shoulders. “They'll be fine,” she says. “They do this all the time. It isn't the first time one of them has been taken.”

“What if something happens to him?” I ask quietly. 'I don't think I could handle it.”

I breathe hard, remembering what it was like to be taken. My heart starts to race. Gwen hugs me tightly.

“Are you guys together?” she asks. “Why don't you tell us about it?”

She leads me to the sofa and we all sit down. A maid brings some wine through and pours each of us a glass. Fiona, who I haven't met before, smiles softly at me. “Yes, how are things going with Viktor? I would never have pictured him married. Is he being good to you?”

“He's being so good to me,” I gush. “And yes, we are officially together.”

Anya walks in with a sigh and looks around worriedly. “Is there any news?”

Gwen goes to her and guides her to the sofa, where the maid brings her a glass of wine. “They've just left. They'll find him, don't worry.”

“I just don't understand why someone would want to take him.”

“This city is dangerous,” Fiona says with a nod, sipping her wine. “They'll be fine, though. The boys will find Anton, and he'll be home in no time.”

“Riley was just telling us that she and Viktor are officially together,” Gwen says, smiling at me. The smile doesn't reach her eyes. Anya smiles at me warmly.

“I'm so glad that you are. You two suit each other.” She sips her wine. “Is he still making you wear designer clothes?” she says, looking at my dress.

“Oh, I wanted to wear this,” I say with a blush.

“Were you trying to seduce him?” Gwen teases.

“No,” I say defensively.

The girls laugh, and Fiona begins to tell me how she and Rigor got together. I find her engaging and charming. I listen intently, trying not to think about Viktor putting his life in danger to save his brother. But I can't help thinking about it. Time drags on slowly. Fiona arranges some food for us, but I pick at it. I don't want to eat. I want Viktor back safe and in my arms. With him gone, despite all the guards around us, I don't feel safe.

As the hours stretch on, I remember my own trauma. The images of me being taken play in my mind and my heart starts racing. I get up and start pacing. “It's been six hours,” I say. “Something is wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong,” Fiona says. “Just breathe. They'll be back in no time. They probably had to go to multiple locations.”

I shake my head. “I can't stand thinking about what could happen. I don't know how you do it.”

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