Page 31 of Hunted By the Bratva
I looked at our hands, smiled, and walked with him. My heart was pounding, and my stomach made a strange knot. We walked hand in hand up the stairs. As we reached the top, I stopped in my tracks.
Yes, I was tired, but seeing the picnic setup overwhelmed me. “You did all of this for me?” I breathed out. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe who you are.”
“I take it that you then like it?” He asked, pulling me towards the blanket. On one side of the blanket, I saw a small heap of clothes.
Smiling at him, I nodded my head towards the clothing. “Is that mine?” I asked.
Iosif pulled me into his arms and hugged me. “Not yet,” he whispered.
“Yeah, like hell,” I replied as I started squirming. I wiggled and giggled, trying to get out of his hold. As I felt his one hand losing grip, he started tickling me. It didn’t take me long to maneuver out of his other hand.
I darted forward and grabbed my clothes. Moving behind a large tree, I quickly changed into something dry. “What made you think of a picnic?” I asked as I joined him on the blanket.
Iosif opened a bottle of wine and poured two glasses. He handed me one as he took out a bowl of fruit as well. “Well, honestly,” he said, grinning. “I had other plans. But as soon as you pulled that, I’m tired of the wealth trick, I knew I had to do something else.”
His voice was deeper than normal, and he pulled his mouth to the side as he spoke, making me laugh. “But this is perfect, isn’t it?” he added.
I nodded as I looked out over the ocean. In the distance, I could see the city. To the other side was open water. Placing my glass on a rock beside us, I turned and lay my head in his lap.
“Do you like the peacefulness?” I questioned him as I closed my eyes. Iosif started running his fingers through my hair.
“Can you hear that?” he asked.
I frowned as I concentrated, trying to hear whatever he heard. All I could hear was the wind and the waves gently crashing against the shore. There was a rustling of leaves as the wind blew in over the sea. But other than that, I heard nothing.
“No,” I replied quietly after a bit. Opening my eyes, I looked up at him.
“Exactly,” he proclaimed. I felt confused as I thought I was supposed to hear something. “There are no cars, no people, no threats, or demands. No guns, drugs, or missions. Just calm and peacefulness.”
As he glanced down at me, I knew I had experienced a rare moment. I could see the vulnerability in his eyes.
“I get it,” I huffed, closing my eyes again. The wheels inside my head were spinning. My mind was working overtime. “Would you ever give it all up for this kind of peacefulness?” I asked after a moment's silence.
“Yes, I would,” Iosif replied. There was no hesitation in his answer.
I opened my eyes as I heard the basket opening. “Would you?” Iosif asked as he dangled a grape above my lips. I opened my mouth, allowing him to drop it in as I considered it.
“Well, I would prefer this over being hunted,” I said softly. “Would I prefer it to the constant chaos surrounding us? Yes, I would.”
He smiled down at me as he fed me another grape and continued speaking. “It’s beautiful here. Its serenity seeps intoyour bones. It calms my mind and helps me refocus so I can deal with the chaos.”
“Is it hard?” I whispered as I sat up.
“Is what hard?” Iosif asked, turning his head to the side.
Looking out at the ocean, I completed my question. “Being the eldest? Having to take care of everyone and all their problems?” I wondered if he would open up to me. I was still a stranger.
“At times, it is,” he huffed. Looking back at him, I saw his expression change. “I have to make split-second decisions. I have to protect the family and ensure everyone has a good life.”
Iosif took a deep breath, briefly closing his eyes before continuing. “Family doesn’t always understand the decisions I need to make. We fight more often than I would like. But in the end, family is all we have.”
“I’m sorry,” I replied.
“No, it’s not your fault in any way,” he added, “I just wish they were a little more understanding at times.”
Chapter 17 - Iosif
“Iosif,” Clara said, looking down at her hands in her lap. I could hear some hesitation in her tone. “I know how you feel.” She spoke softly, and I felt my heart leap. She was a delicate flower to be treasured.
