Page 42 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

“Right now? I've just woken up.”

“Right now,” Roman says. “There are clothes there for Riley as well. Gwen says they're comfy.”

I take the clothes from Roman and shut the door. I groan. “I have to go. My brothers need me.”

Riley sits up and pulls her hair into a ponytail. I dump the clothes on the bed and start to get dressed. “When we get home, I'm going to run you a nice hot bath and scrub every inch of you clean… just so I can make you dirty again.”

Riley grins. “That better be a promise.”

I finish dressing and kiss her softly. “I promise.”

I leave her to get dressed and I go to Rigor's office where I find Rigor, Anton, and Roman sitting around Rigor's table in various armchairs. I nod my hello and sit down in the free armchair. We all look at Anton, who winces as he sits straight.

“It was the guys from the Vultures that took me. One of them was the one who's been following Riley around,” Anton says quietly. “They want to show force. Take us down for whatwe did to them. They have plans to attack again, and they're not going to stop… Jimmy isn't going to stop until he has Riley again.”

I can feel my blood boil. “I'll kill that fucker first.”

“He's hard to find. He was only with me briefly in the van before he disappeared somewhere else.” Anton runs a hand over his hair. “They definitely have eyes on us. They know our every move.”

“How did they take you?” Rigor asks. “You have guards.”

“I was brokering a deal. The guards were outside the door. They came through the other one and knocked my client out before taking me. They blocked the door quickly so the guards couldn't get in when I shouted for them. By the time they did get in, I was already long gone.”

“I'm going to torture and kill every last one of them,” I growl. “For touching you and for thinking they can touch Riley.”

”Bold words, but they're quite organized. Jimmy appears to be taking on the role of the ringleader right now. He has been knocked down the proverbial food chain in the underworld, and he wants to climb back up. According to my guard this morning, no one is interested in hiring him, so he's looking to settle the score and make himself look more worthy and attractive to potential employers.”

“I'll give him a job,” Roman says with a short laugh. “His only assignment will be to jump off a fucking cliff.”

Anton cracks a smile. “They're pissed with Viktor because he foiled their plans to kidnap Riley. So if I were you, Viktor,” my twin looks at me. “I wouldn't go anywhere, you or Riley, without guards.”

“I'll make sure some of my men are always with Riley. I'd love for them to try to take me on,” I growl.

“Don't be cocky,” Rigor says calmly, leaning back in his chair. “We're vulnerable when we're alone, and they might not just torture you, Viktor. You saved Riley twice before from their clutches and now from their kidnapping plan. They have it out for your blood. I insist you take Martin with you everywhere, maybe two more men with him.”

“Fine. But if I see that little fucker, I don't care if it's in broad daylight in public. I am putting a bullet through his skull.”

“Be careful,” Rigor warns me. “We can't make the family look bad or bring the cops knocking at our door. I know you're reckless, but for once, please use your brain and think before you act rashly.”

I frown. I sit back and clench my fists. “It's not your wife they're threatening.”

“All our wives are at risk,” Rigor snaps. “Just because they're focused on Riley right now doesn't mean that can't change. All the girls, including Anya, move with guards. No one goes out alone. That's my final word on the matter, Viktor.”

“I'm not arguing,” I say.

We all sit in silence, and Roman raises his hands. “We're all tense about this. Should we not contact Kervyn?”

“No, we handled this by ourselves last time. We can handle it ourselves again this time,” Rigor sits forward as he speaks. “I don't want anyone bothering our cousins with this, do you understand?” He looks pointedly at Roman.

Roman nods. “Okay. Okay. I won't mention it.”

“How are we going to handle the Vultures?”

“We're going to lie low for now,” Rigor says, sitting back once again. “We will see what their next play is and just take safety precautions.”

“You want us to hide?” I ask incredulously.

“Watch yourself, Viktor. You're not in charge of this family. I am making a decision that is in the best interest of everyone involved.”

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