Page 9 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

“You're not, though,” he says. “I know things you don't know.”

“Then tell me while I make some coffee,” I say quietly.

“We are not having coffee.”

“I'm safe with you, right?” I say, sitting down on the bed and looking up at him with shining eyes.

“Yes, but we need to go…”

“Then there's time to tell me what's going on,” I say, wiping my tears away.

Chapter 5 - Viktor

The drive over here took excruciatingly long. I could have cursed the traffic coming out of the city. It was bumper to bumper, and I felt like a tortoise trying to win a race against a hare. Then I get to Roman's place and I hear Riley crying out. I swore my heart dropped, and I thought I was too late, so I just rushed into her room. The ensuing chaos of trying to get her out just reaffirms that she can't take care of herself and needs me to take care of her.

I have to remind myself about what she's been through. She isn't like us. She isn't used to this life that we grew up in, so this is all new to her and it's scary. That doesn't ease my nerves, though. It makes her reckless and a liability. She's got a target painted on her back and she can't handle it. I don't even know how to tell her how I found out about Jimmy following her around.

“We need to move,” I say again. “Get up.”

“No,” she says, crossing her arms. Tears are still in her eyes, and I don't know why, but I want to reach out and gently brush them away. I don't want her to cry, but this is a serious situation, and she needs to treat it as such. “I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what this is about.”

I sigh and run a hand through my hair, frustrated. I don't know what to do with her, she just isn't listening. I bite my tongue. I don't want her to start crying again. I need to explain to her what this is all about, but I don't want to freak her out. How do I tell her I know someone is following her because I had her followed? Why would I have her followed? That's what she's going to ask, right?

I pace the room. “Riley, I understand this is a lot to take in,” I say as calmly as I can manage. “But you need to trust me and come with me.”

“Not until you tell me what's going on,” she says.

“I'll explain everything in the car,” I say. “I promise.”

“No. Tell me now.”

“Jesus, woman,” I look around the dark room and flip the light on. She squints at me. I squint back at her and wait for my eyes to adjust to the brightness. “This doesn't have to be this hard. You're being so goddammit difficult.”

“Well, I'm sorry if I'm not comfortable running off with someone who is a complete stranger to me,” she snaps. She has a fiery side and I won't lie. I like it. It's nice to know she isn't completely helpless.

I wonder if she fought the men who kidnapped her.

“Look, I have come into some information…”

“What information?” she asks. “How did you come into it?”

“It doesn't matter how I got it; the important thing is that you're being followed around by someone affiliated with the Vultures.” I see the color drain from her face, and I instantly regret telling her. But she sits up straighter.

“Are they going to try to kidnap me again?” she asks shakily.

“I don't know what his plan is. The Vultures are over so it could be a power play to try to establish a new gang. They must think that you're connected to our family but that you are powerless. That's why my plan is so important. I need to give you power.”

“How are you going to give me power?”

“Isn't it obvious?” I ask, looking down into her enormous eyes as she shakes her head.

“Well, obviously, I'm going to have us married so that you have my reputation behind you. With me as your husband, no one would dare lay a finger on you. It's really your only choice.”

She sits there staring at me for a moment and I'm waiting for her agreement when she frowns.

“That's a terrible idea,” she says. “I can't marry you.”

I start to pace again. “Riley, I don't have time to argue with you.”

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