Page 51 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

“Just family stuff. Work that I need to sort out,” I say.

Riley nods and goes back to her laptop. I kiss her head again and return to my laptop. I start researching possible locations that the Vultures gang has used as meeting spots. My computer is turned away from Riley, so she can't see what I'm doing.

“Results aren't in yet,” she says, standing. “I'm going to go watch a movie. Are you going to be long?”

“I'll try not to be,” I say. “Go pick something good and enjoy it.”

Riley leaves, and I return to my research. I take longer than I expect, and I spend most of the rest of the week just doing research. I use software to trace individuals, scan social media, and tap into family contacts to locate and track gang members’ phones. Riley seems to sense that I'm somewhat absent, but she leaves me be. She doesn't say anything.

If her results have come in, she hasn't mentioned it to me, and every time I remember to ask her, she's not around. By the time I'm with her again, I've forgotten. Then I feel bad when I remember once more. Riley is practicing her shooting alone because I don't want to be seen, and shooting guns will definitely attract attention. She doesn't know that, though. She just thinks I'm really busy with work.

By Friday I've made headway, and I've noticed a pattern. Most of the cellphone traces go to a section of warehouses every day. This must be their new meeting spot. I send Riley to Gwen's house and sneak out the back. I pull up down the side street and see Riley go past with Martin and guards on her way to Gwen. I wait and sure enough, an unmarked car pulls out and starts following them. I wait and pull out before I lose them and I follow the unmarked car. The car follows them until they get toGwen, and then they park down the street for a few hours while Riley visits Gwen. It makes me so angry. I want to walk up to the car and shoot them all, but there's a bigger picture here.

I don't. I wait. Another unmarked car pulls up behind them, and they drive off. This is my cue. I pull out and follow them. They don't seem to notice I'm following; I’m good at what I do. We drive to the warehouse district, where the cell phones have been pinging, and I park the car. I take a duffel bag out of the trunk and walk the rest of the way, quickly locating where they are. I keep watch from behind another warehouse. They don't have guards outside, but that doesn’t mean the building isn’t being watched.

I put the duffel bag down gently. I need to decide what to do next. Do I just blow up the building? Is Jimmy even in there? How will I know? I could sit here and watch until he comes, and once confirmed, I can blow up the place. I am ready to get settled and just wait for Jimmy to show up before I set up the explosives. It will give me time to see if they have any external guards I missed. I watch the people come and go, keeping out of sight.

Without warning, the building suddenly explodes. I'm thrown backward from the blast. Debris rains down and I scramble to get up. This is going to attract the cops and they're going to find me here with explosives and think I did it. I don't know who did it but apparently, I'm not the only one who has a beef with the Vultures. Someone grabs me from behind and pulls me backward. I turn around to punch them and freeze.

“We need to go now,” Anton says. “Come.”

Chapter 24 - Riley

When I arrive at Gwen's house, I can't help but wonder why Viktor didn't kick up a fuss and come with me. Is he really so distracted by work? It doesn't matter. I'm safe with Gwen. I find her in the living room drinking wine. There's a glass for me on the table.

“Hello there,” I say with a grin.

Gwen gets up and hugs me. “Hello. How has your week been?”

“It's been good, thanks,” I say. “Very passionate.”

“Passionate?” Gwen wiggles her eyebrows. “So, everything is still going well?”

“Better than well. Viktor has taught me how to defend myself, how to shoot, and how to have amazing sex. Oh Gwen, I never thought I would ever feel this way about anyone.”

Gwen giggles and sits back down. “Sit. Sit. I feel the same way about Roman. He's just incredible, and he makes me so happy.”

“I feel kind of bad,” I admit as I sip my wine. “Because I know they do illegal things that we don't ask about, but honestly, I don't care. Viktor is a good person. I've seen it.”

Gwen nods. “I know what you mean. Roman is such a gentleman, and he's so good to me. I can't wait to spend our lives together. Are you going away for the holidays?”

“Somewhere with snow,” I say. “Viktor is going to teach me how to ski.”

“Oh, cozy. Nice. You can cuddle up for warmth.” We both laugh.

We spend the rest of the visit gossiping. We talk for hours and it's like we saw each other just yesterday, as though no time has passed between us seeing each other. I love that about Gwen. We have lunch together and talk about our studies. I admit I miss campus and Gwen promises I can go back soon. We have two more glasses of wine before I finally hug her goodbye and leave.

As we drive back to our house, I can't help but smile as I watch the scenery pass. My life feels like it's getting back on track and I feel less afraid. With Viktor, I feel I can do anything and now that I know how to shoot and defend myself, I feel a lot more confident going out, even if it's just to Gwen's house.

When I get home, I look around for Viktor, but he isn't there. He must be working. He's been so busy this week that I haven't even told him that I got great results and that my grades are back up. I want to tell him when he's not distracted so that we can celebrate together. Since Viktor isn't here, I decide to go over some of my study notes and see if any new assignments have been uploaded.

Two new ones.

I pull out my notes and textbooks and begin reviewing the information I will need. There's really nothing else to do besides watch movies, and I've done that quite a bit this week. After a couple of hours working on the questions, I shut down and grab another textbook, bringing it to our bedroom and placing it on my bedside table. I head to the bathroom for a shower, change into my pajamas, and get ready for bed. I read the textbook for less than an hour before putting it down and turning off the lamp. I lie down and curl up, drifting off to sleep, wishing Viktor were here.

When I wake up, the first thing I notice is how cold it is. I reach behind me for Viktor, but he isn't there. I turn over and look at his side, but it's still made up. I sit up and call out softly, “Viktor?”

I check the time. It’s 6 am. He didn't come home last night? How strange. He's never spent a night away from home, at least not while I've been here. I slide out of bed and put on my robe. I walk down the hallway, but all the lights are off. I head to his office, but he's not there. I try downstairs, and he isn’t in any of the rooms, not even the kitchen. He's not asleep on the sofa either. I head back upstairs and grab my phone, dialing his number. It goes straight to voicemail. I frown.

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