Page 71 of Bratva's Vow
I pulled up Jess’s number and hit call before I could talk myself out of it.
The phone barely rang once before she answered.
“Wren?” Jess’s voice exploded out of the speaker, high-pitched and frantic. “Oh my god. Where the fuck have you been? Are you okay? Tell me you’re okay.”
I swallowed, my chest tightening painfully at how worried she sounded. “I’m okay.”
“You disappeared! Do you have any idea what you’ve done to everyone? Nik was ready to kick in doors, Sergei lookedlike he was about to have a goddamn stroke and Maxim—” She broke off, and I could hear her pacing on the other end. “He’s wrecked, Wren. Wrecked.”
Guilt bit into me, sharp and fast. But I shoved it aside.
“Jess, I’m not sorry for leaving,” I said quietly. “I needed time to think, and Maxim wasn’t giving me that. If all you’re going to do is berate me, then I might as well hang up.”
“No, please don’t. I-I’m worried about you.”
“I need clothes. Can you bring me some?”
There was a beat of silence.
“Clothes?” she repeated slowly, as if trying to make sense of it.
“Yeah. I didn’t grab anything when I left. I need clean stuff.” I raked a hand through my hair. “But you have to come alone. Not with Nik. Not with Darius. And don’t tell them either. Please. They’re loyal to only Maxim.”
“Wren… I don’t like this.” Her hesitation was clear even through the phone. “Maxim?—”
“Please, Jess. I need you. Not them. Just you.”
She was quiet for a second but then let out a soft sigh. “Okay. Tell me where you are, and I’ll come alone.”
Relief loosened some of the tension in my chest. I sent her the address of the motel.
“I’ll be there soon.”
“Thank you.”
Half an hour later, the knock came. I tensed instinctively, my heartbeat tripping over itself as I crossed to the door.
Please be Jess.
I cracked the door open and exhaled in relief.
She stood alone, hair piled in a messy bun, holding a bag. She pushed past me and threw her arms around my neck.
“Jesus, Wren.” She clung to me tightly, squeezing like she meant to glue the pieces of me back together. “You scared the absolute shit out of me.”
“I know.” My voice cracked embarrassingly as I hugged her back. “I’m sorry. I missed you so much.”
She pulled back and gave me a once-over, her eyes filling with tears. “You look like hell.”
“Thanks.”
“Not like… in a bad way. Just…” She pressed her lips together tightly. “You’ve been crying, haven’t you? And have you lost weight?”
I didn’t answer. I didn’t have to.
She set the bags down and pulled out some clothes—sweats, a T-shirt, socks, and even a hoodie. There was also takeout.
“You need to eat,” she said, soft but firm. “I brought your favorite. Pad Thai.”
