Page 38 of Hunted By the Bratva
She sat down next to me, placing her hand on my thigh and looking at me with clear concern. Clara took my face into her hands before pulling me into a hug. I was filled with a strange new sensation as she hugged me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her, enjoying the sensation flooding my body.
I had always had a possessive streak, but I noticed, the more time I spent with her, the worse it got. I would try and holdonto her for as long as I could. I wanted to know that she would always be there, and that I would never have to look over my shoulder.
Trust was something we would have to work on from both sides. Without trust, such a relationship could never work. I didn’t want to be troubled by the thoughts of her brother showing up and ruining things.
Clara suddenly stood up. She looked down at me, smiling as she spoke. “I’m going to bed. You’re welcome to join me if you would like to.”
Grinning, I nodded at her as I replied. “I will be up in a little. Don’t wait for me.” I watched as she turned and walked out the door. With her out of sight and out of range, I thought the timing would be perfect to call Kolya.
As I took my phone out of my pocket, it started ringing. Looking at the screen, I was shocked to see Kolya’s number showing. Swiping left on my screen, I answered the call. “Kolya,” I huffed. “I was just about to call you. Did you read my mind?”
Before I could continue questioning him, he started yelling at me. “You must have some major balls.” I heard him take a deep breath before continuing. “You are the fucker that kidnapped my little sister, and now you want to talk.”
As I opened my mouth to reply, he interrupted again. “The men you tried to mess with tonight came to see me. I now know where you are. You better sleep with one eye open.”
It took me a moment to realize that he was, in fact, talking about the men who tried to kidnap Clara. I swore under my breath as I realized that the men who tried to kidnap Clara were changing their plans.
I burned to tell him the truth, but decided not to. He would learn the hard way what pain was. Clara was in danger, but I would protect her. Before I could come back with a snarky remark, Kolya spoke again. “I will make sure that this time I get my hands on your sister. She will be tortured, and I will send you a copy of the video.”
Kolya laughed before he continued. “I will also send you her body parts in boxes until you break.”
I felt the fury in me winding up to a point where I could no longer control it.
Chapter 20 - Clara
I sat waiting, feeling like a lifetime had passed me by. The instructions said the results would be visible within five minutes. I kept on looking at my watch. I needed to know. My stomach was twisting and turning.
I sat biting my nails from angst. I had been feeling quite ill the last couple of days. I’d been battling to eat, and when I did, nothing seemed to stay down. Even the smell of food made me nauseous. Plus, I’ve been permanently tired.
The last couple of years, I’ve been more than healthy. I can’t remember the last time I was this ill. After researching my symptoms, I decided to do a pregnancy test. I had to cancel out the obvious before seeing a doctor. I never liked surprises much.
Glancing at my watch again, I saw that the five minutes had just about passed. I couldn’t wait any longer; the anticipation alone was killing me. Picking up the test stick, I felt the blood draining from my body.
Slowly, I stepped back against the door and sank to the floor. I could not draw my eyes from the stick. “What, fuck, no! This must be a mistake,” I mumbled to the empty bathroom.
I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer. They streamed down my face. I pulled my knees up to my chest and hugged them as my sobs shook me. I didn’t realize I was crying so loud until there was a knock at the door. I placed my hands over my mouth and breathed in sharply, trying to subdue my crying.
“Clara? Is that you? Are you okay?” I heard Zhenya speaking softly through the door.
I wasn’t able to respond as I knew I would cry harder if I dared open my mouth. I shifted to the side as I felt her pushingthe door. Zhenya peeked around the side and then came in. She closed the door and sat down next to me.
She wrapped her arms around me and held me tight. “Hey,” she whispered. “It’s okay. Whatever it is, I know it will be fine.” She kept holding me until I started calming down. Zhenya pulled back slightly. “What’s wrong? Speak to me,” she added.
I opened my hand, revealing the test I clutched inside. She stared at it for a moment. I didn’t know what she was thinking as she kept a straight face. “Okay,” she said. “It’s not that bad, is it?”
Blinking at her, I softly shook my head from side to side. I wasn’t sure what I was feeling.
She squeezed my arms as she continued to talk. “A baby is a blessing. Children bring so much joy to our lives.” She reached for the toilet roll and wiped my tears with a piece of it. Then she took my face in both her hands. “I would understand if you feel you aren’t ready. But have you told Iosif? I take it this is his baby?”
I pulled my head out of her hands and looked down at the floor. “Don’t worry about it,” Zhenya said. “I won’t tell, that’s your choice. I do recommend it, but it is up to you. But, just know that I am here should you wish to talk.”
Looking at her, I smiled weakly before looking at the test in my hand. Maybe she was right. Maybe I was crying over nothing. I was scared, though. What if I wasn’t a good mother? Breathing in slowly, I looked back at her as I spoke. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
She assisted me up and handed me a moist towel. “Everything will be fine,” she replied.
After wiping my face, I felt slightly better. “I think I want the baby,” I said, touching my stomach. I knew the baby wasn’t even completely formed at this stage. But I felt a bond, and even though things were messy, her words encouraged me.
Maybe Iosif and I could make it work. After all, the sex was fabulous, we had a lot in common, and we kind of fit like two pieces of a puzzle. Yes, I decided, I wanted this to work out. Iosif is a good man. I have seen the other side of him.
