Page 54 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

When there's a knock at the door, I bolt up and am on my feet.

“It's just Rigor,” Anton says irritably. He's never been a morning person.

I try to calm my racing heart, running a hand over my chest.

“Maria,” Anton calls. “Coffee, please.”

“Yes, Sir,” she calls back, coming out of her room in the back and shuffling toward the kitchen.

Rigor walks in and looks directly at me. “I told you, do nothing.”

“Nothing wasn't going to cut it,” I say confidently.

Rigor frowns. “I gave you a direct order.”

“Riley's life is in danger. What would you do if it were Fiona?” I shoot back. “You would burn the world alive for her. I know you would. Even if Kervyn told you to sit down and shut up.”

Rigor clenches his fist. “No, I wouldn't just sit down. But I would communicate, Viktor. You act like you always have to do everything alone, but we're a family. We have each other's backs.”

“Is that why you want to set Riley up as bait?” I ask angrily. “Because she's family. It doesn't matter if something happens to her so long as we take care of the problem.”

“It isn't like that,” Rigor snaps. “Riley is with Roman now. He's explaining everything to her. I told him to call me once he's done so you can speak to her and hear for yourself what she wants to do.”

“It doesn't matter what she wants. What matters is to keep her safe and…” Rigors' phone interrupts us.

I look at my watch. It's almost seven in the morning. While Rigor speaks Russian to Roman, Maria brings in three cups of coffee on a tray before shuffling back to the kitchen.

“Here,” Rigor says, holding his phone out.

I take the phone and put it against my ear.

“Viktor?” Riley asks.

“Riley, what are you doing with Roman?” I ask. “How did you get there?”

“When I woke up and realized you hadn't come home, I panicked and figured out your plan. I thought something bad had happened and all I could think of was to get to Roman to help you,” she sounds so relieved. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I'm fine. Anton was there before me.”

“Is he fine?” she asks, always the caring one.

“He's fine, but I might still knock him out.” I sit on the sofa. “Riley, you don't have to do anything. I can take care of the problem.”

“No, I want to,” Riley says after a moment. “I need to do this. I need to face him. He's never going to leave me alone and Roman and Rigor are right. This is our best bet to draw him out. Then, once we have him, he's all yours.”

I sigh quietly. “Riley, what if you freeze or panic?”

“I'm done being a scared little girl, Viktor,” she says resolutely. “I want to do this. I want to face him and I want to make sure he knows he cannot win. And I hope you fucking kill him and send a message to all his friends.”

That surprises me, and I take a moment to think. Riley clearly needs this to conquer her trauma. She needs to face her fear, no matter how much it scares me that she could be hurt. She needs to do this. I sigh quietly. “Okay. But I need you to know I love you and I will burn this world to the ground to find you if they take you.”

“They won't. I promise.”

“What's the plan?” I ask. “Where are you guys going to do it?”

“The mall,” she says. “I wasn't going to take any guards at first, but that would be suspicious since I've only been moving with guards the last couple of weeks, so what I'm going to dois excuse myself from the guards to try on some clothes. Then, when Jimmy attacks me, you guys swoop in and save the day.”

“You make it sound so simple,” I say. “It isn't that easy. There are a lot of exits in the mall. Lots of things that can go wrong.”

---