Page 5 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

When I arrive at the mansion, the guards let me in. I park in my designated spot and walk to the front door. As I shut it behind me, it opens again, and I shriek. Roman's brother Viktor stands there looking surprised. “What was that for?”

“You scared me,” I say, putting my hand over my heart.

“Sorry, I thought you were already inside,” he says. He looks at me awkwardly.

I shake my head and plaster on the fake smile. To be honest, though, Viktor makes me extremely uncomfortable. I know he was one of the men who rescued me, but out of all Roman's siblings, he seemed to be the most cutthroat and ruthless. He's the scariest of the brothers and he intimidates me to no extent. I take a few steps further inside so I'm not blocking the doorway. He comes in and shuts the door behind him.

“How are you doing?” he asks. “You've been back awhile. You getting back into things okay?”

The conversation seems forced, but I don't want to appear rude, especially not to him. Who knows how he will react? I nod. “It's fine, thank you.”

An awkward silence falls between us, and I can see Viktor's hand fidgeting with his pants. I hug my book bag closer to me and look around. “Are you waiting for Roman?” I ask quietly.

“Uh, not really. I thought I'd come and check on things here. Make sure everything is up to scratch.”

“Oh, okay,” I say. There's a look in his eyes I don't like, and I shuffle from foot to foot.

Chapter 3 - Viktor

I hadn't seen her arrive, and I hadn't been expecting her to be just inside the door. My heart leaped into my throat at the sound of her shriek, and I felt guilty. Then the awkward conversation and silence. I see her shuffle from foot to foot, obviously scared of me. Why is she scared? I helped rescue her. It's silly, really.

“So, how are classes going?” I ask tersely. She looks completely uncomfortable, and it takes everything not to demand answers from her in rapid-fire succession. She casts her eyes down as though she's ashamed and I press on. “What's wrong? Is someone bothering you at school?”

“No,” she says quickly. “Everything is fine.” There's that smile again. It doesn't seem genuine at all. It doesn't reach her eyes, which seem dead to me. It makes me wonder what the Vultures put her through when they had her. I hope it isn't something serious. I mean, you don't just get traumatized from kidnapping. I've been kidnapped before. It was no big deal.

“So, how are classes going, then?”

“They're going fine,” she says quietly. “It's just strange being back is all. I was gone for so long, and people ask questions.”

“Just use the answers we provided for you. You had a family emergency, which turned out not to be serious, and you were able to come back,” I say calmly, as though this is the most obvious answer. She looks at her feet again, and I don't know what to say. Silence falls again, and I fidget with my pants. “Are you settling into the mansion, okay?”

“Yes, it's very nice, thank you,” she says, seeming timid as though she's worried I'm going to strike her at any moment.Which I would never do. I guess she's just spooked. I suppose I kind of understand, this kind of lifestyle isn't for everyone and if you're new to it, it could be quite a shock. Still, I helped save her. Why would I then hurt her? Surely, she knows that.

“The most important thing is that you're safe,” I say quietly. “And that you know that.”

She eyes me suspiciously, and I can't blame her entirely. She went to a casino with a friend and was immediately kidnapped because they thought she was associated with us. It doesn't exactly inspire a sense of security. She nods slowly, seeming to measure her words. “I know I'm safe here,” she says.

“Good, that's all that matters. I'll leave you to study then. I have to get on with other things. I just wanted to check on everything,” I say again, feeling useless. She nods and walks away from me toward the room she's staying in. I watch her go, feeling helpless. She doesn't seem to feel any better with my reassurances. Goddammit, I never fumble this much with girls. I'm normally so confident. There's something about her that catches me off guard. It makes me uneasy and sets me on edge.

I go to the security room and open the door. The guards are seated in front of the monitors that watch the mansion, and I step in. “Everything okay in here?” I ask. Roman has high-end security but there's no harm in checking in on them from time to time. Keeps them on their toes.

One guard turns to me. “Everything is great, Boss. The grounds are quiet. There's been no suspicious activity in or around the estate and the patrols are all checking in timeously.”

“Good,” I say. “I want you to keep an eye on our guest. Make sure she doesn't get into any trouble,” I add.

“Yes, Sir, is she a problem?” he asks.

“No, not a problem. But an important guest and she isn't used to our lifestyle. I want her to be guarded wherever she is on the property. I don't want anyone to be able to hurt her.”

The guard eyes me out but nods. “Yes, Sir.”

I nod. “I'm going to inspect the patrols. Don't let them know I want to make sure they're paying attention.”

“Yes, Sir,” the guard says, turning back to the monitors.

I leave and walk out the front door. I walk to the first post and find a guard standing there with his hands crossed in front of him. “Anything to report?”

“No, Sir,” he says, stiff as a board.

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