Page 49 of Hunted By the Bratva
I smiled as he closed the door and moved around to his side. “Thank you,” I breathed out as he started the car. I felt a tear escape my eye and roll down my cheek. Iosif leaned over and wiped it away before pulling out.
I felt drowsy from the medication and kept my eyes closed as we drove home. As we pulled up to the mansion, I saw the array of staff waiting.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“I have to ensure you are taken care of, and all your needs are met,” Iosif replied, smiling.
Iosif introduced me to the nurses, waiters, and other new staff before I was escorted back to my room. The day went by in a daze as I slept most of it away. I woke up fully just before supper time. Sitting up, I took my phone and checked my messages.
Most of them were from my family, hoping I would get better soon. There was one message from an unknown number. Opening it, I read it twice, making sure I understood it correctly. “I didn’t run away, Clara. Please, can we talk? Let me explain what went down.”
I instantly knew it was my brother reaching out. But I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. My mind was still foggy about the events that took place after Kolya tried to shoot Iosif and me, taking the bullet.
Breathing in deeply, I tried to figure out how I felt about seeing him. I didn’t notice Iosif coming in until he sat down next to me. “Are you okay?” he asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Kolya sent me a message,” I breathed out.
“Oh, what did he say?” Iosif asked. His tone was calm, but I felt him stiffening up.
Taking his hand, I turned to look at him. “He wants to see me,” I replied.
Iosif frowned as he responded. “It is up to you.”
Nodding, I considered it. “Okay, but I don’t think I want to go alone,” I said, glancing at the floor.
“Sure, I’ll go with you,” Iosif said, squeezing my hand. “I’ll drive you there and back. If you want, I’ll come in as well.”
Flinging my arms around his neck, I hugged him as I spoke. “Thank you.”
“The quicker we get it done, the better, I think,” Iosif added. “Make the call and let him come over.”
I did as he asked, and we waited in the kitchen for my brother to arrive. Iosif poured some juice into a glass bottle andadded two glasses to a tray. He took it to the small lounge closest to the door, where Kolya and I could talk.
It wasn’t long before one of the guards came to inform us that he had arrived. “See him to the living area,” Iosif said. He looked at me and nodded. “I’m here if you need me.”
I got up and headed to the room where my brother was waiting. As I entered, Kolya turned and looked at me. He was standing by the shelf towards the back of the room. He looked like shit. His eyes had dark circles around them, and his beard was stubble. I hadn’t seen him like this in a very long time.
The guilt of what happened was eating him alive. My heart ached to see him like this. As he spoke, I could hear the sorrow in his tone. “I am sorry, sister. I may hate the Chernykhs, but I never meant to hurt you in any way.”
“You want some juice?” I asked, walking to the small table in the middle of the room. He looked at me like I was speaking another language. I poured two glasses, picked one up, and sat down. “Come sit with me,” I added, motioning to the chair across from me.
Kolya moved closer and sat down. He looked around the room and inhaled sharply. “I swear that I can let my hatred for this family go because I love you more than I hate them,” he said softly. “Can you forgive me for all I’ve done?”
Placing my glass down, I got up and moved to his side. I sat down and flung my arms around him. “I love you, Kolya,” I breathed out. I forgive you. I know you never meant to hurt me.”
Pulling back, I held his shoulders as I continued. “You must understand that I love Iosif. I will give my life for him, and I need you to accept that. Please, we need peace now more than ever.”
I fleetingly saw the tears in his eyes as he pulled me in and hugged me tightly. He sat for a bit, and I swore I felt his tears on my shoulder. I knew he needed time to regain his composure, and I didn’t push him. He wasn’t the kind of man to show affection.
Kolya hugged me tighter as he whispered in my ear. “Seeing you hurt and thinking I killed you.” He swallowed hard. “It almost killed me. If you didn’t make it…,”
His words fell away, but I knew what he meant. A shiver ran down my spine. “No more talking of that,” I huffed, feeling my own tears close to exploding. I rubbed his back as I continued. “I’m happy, I’m alive, I’m safe. Leave your vendetta and get in with us. The Chernykhs mean you no harm. If you hurt them, we will have a problem.”
Taking a deep breath, I whispered into his ear before pulling back. “I want you to be happy for me. I have found my one and only.”
There was a short pause before he continued. “For now, I’ll back off. I’ll do my best to steer clear. That is all I can promise for now.”
I knew this couldn’t be easy for him. But it was what had to happen. I was sure that, in time, he would come around. I gave him a wary smile as I spoke. “Okay, for now, it will do.” He stepped closer and pulled me into a firm hug.
