Page 45 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

“What's wrong with going to the shop?” I ask heatedly.

“Now is not the time, Riley. The Vultures are on the prowl and they want to hurt our family. That includes you three.” He paces up and down. “I cannot believe you thought taking fourguards was enough. And to a public mall. We could have sent someone to shop for you or you could have shopped online.”

“You can't keep me prisoner,” I say angrily as I hear Anya sniff. She's on the verge of tears and I feel very protective of her.

“I'm not keeping you prisoner. I'm keeping you safe,” he snaps.

He turns to Anya and Gwen and says, “My men will take you home. Make sure you get in alright. There will be no more shopping trips.”

“Yes, Viktor,” Anya says sadly. Gwen and Anya each hug me before they leave.

“A shopping trip isn't worth your life, Riley,” Viktor says grumpily.

I walk past him and upstairs. I don't go to our room. I go to my room and slam the door shut.

Chapter 21 - Viktor

I can't believe the girls could be so irresponsible, especially Riley, after everything she has been through with the Vultures gang. All for what? A shopping trip? Clothes? It makes me furious. Riley doesn't sleep with me, preferring to stay in her room on the opposite side of the hall. As I lie in bed after everything that happened, I can't help but wonder if keeping the information about Anton's attack by the Vultures was the right decision. I didn't want to tell her because I was afraid of triggering her trauma, but maybe by not telling her, I gave her a false sense of security.

I feel terrible, and I want to go to her room, knock, and make up, but I know she doesn't want to talk to me right now, and I don't want to pressure her. I can't sleep, tossing and turning. I'm so used to having Riley's warmth beside me that the bed feels empty and cold without her. I was so excited when we finally made love, and now she's so distant.

I give her space during the week, trying to figure out how best to give her all the information about the Vultures so she knows what we're facing. We eat our meals together, but she doesn't say anything—not even goodnight or good morning. She studies in silence, no longer stealing glances at me. When she's not working at her desk, she retreats to her room with her textbooks to read. Holing up there away from me. It depresses me. I've always been able to get the girl, I've always been confident and suave, and now I feel like a puppy that lost its toy.

After a few days, there's a knock at my office door. At first, I'm excited because I think it's Riley. Then, I realize she wouldn't knock. I sigh. “What now?”

“I came to apologize,” she says softly. “You haven't spoken to me since the other day.”

“Things have been tense,” I admit quietly. I never could stay mad at my little sister. “It's not because I've been mad at you. Even if you were irresponsible.”

“I'm sorry,” she says sullenly. “When Gwen said that Riley wanted to go shopping for something nice to wear for you, I thought it would be a great bonding time for us.”

“Something nice to wear for me?”

“She had a whole dinner planned,” Anya admits softly. “Didn't she tell you?”

“She's not speaking to me currently,” I say. I sigh. This is just great. Riley had planned something special for us and I completely ruined it. I don't even know what she's more upset about—me shouting at Anya or me raising my voice at her. She didn't actually say. Probably mad at me for everything that’s happened.

“Do you want me to talk to her?” Anya offers, sitting in the armchair in front of my desk.

“No, I should make it right. You say she planned a special dinner?” I ask.

“Yes, she was going to cook for you.”

“Perhaps I should do it for her. Maybe then she'll speak to me.” I rub my temples. “Anya, I know you meant well, but it's very dangerous at the moment. I need you to be safe and keep the other girls safe. No more spontaneous shopping trips or any trips. Always take more guards than you think is necessary.”

“Yes, Viktor,” she says softly. I can see she's still hurt. I get up and walk around to her.

“Hey, come on. I'm not mad, okay? I was just worried at the time, and I lost my cool. I know you meant well.” I kneel beside her and hug her tightly.

She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me back.

We simply stay there for a moment, embracing. Eventually, Anya pulls away from me and wipes her eyes. “She likes Greek food. She said so while we were out.”

I smile softly. “Maybe some Shawarma's then. A Shawarma bar. Where she can build her own. I'll get Rachel to get the ingredients.” I stand up and help Anya to her feet. “Off you go. I have to work now. I'll be past to come visit you soon.”

Anya nods and leaves, and I sit back behind my desk. I text Rachel a list of ingredients and ask her to go get them. Then, I give her the afternoon off and say I will cook dinner.

She responds in the affirmative, and I go back to work. Anton has emailed me detailed plans for a new shipment, and I need to make sure it goes off without a hitch. I go over every detail, messaging the key players to arrange everything. I arrange extra security in case someone tries to hit us. I make the necessary bribe payments through offshore accounts to grease the wheels of the system so no one stops us.

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