Page 17 of Bratva's Vow
“Bratva? Then that means you two…?”
“Work for the Bratva.”
“You’re serious? Like Mafia serious?”
“Yes,” I said.
Jess got up slowly from her chair, backing up until she walked into the refrigerator. Had we been wrong about her? Because she looked like she was about to freak out.
“What the actual fuck.” She covered her mouth with her hands, dropped them, then inhaled deeply. “You can’t be in the Bratva. Wren’s going to fucking flip when he finds out.”
I blinked once. Then blinked again. That was it? Her concern was for Wren? Not that, given what we told her, she had three dangerous killers in her apartment?
Darius wore a huge smile on his face that screamed, “That’s my girl.”
And for a split second, I envied him being able to get this reaction out of Jess. But Wren, being the way he was—which I loved about him—would overreact and cause more damage. Still, I wouldn’t change his sweet, innocent nature for all the world. Even if it meant I had to lie to him.
“That’s why Wren can’t find out,” I said. “At least not yet.”
“You expect me to keep this from him? I’m his best friend. The only family he’s got.”
I stared at Darius. Narrowed my eyes, giving him that “talk to your woman” look.
“Sweetheart, we’re telling you because we don’t think it’s wise for both you and Wren to be left in the dark.” He got up from his seat, walked over to her, and cupped her shoulders. “We want you both to be safe, and we’ll provide you with your own bodyguard.”
“A bodyguard for me?” She tugged at Darius’s shirt. “Will he be as hot as you and Nik?”
Darius scowled, but Nik was laughing. “Jess.”
“I’m joking, babe.” Jess rolled her eyes, even as she leaned back into Darius’s touch. “I figure surviving a mob confession, harboring two Mafia boyfriends, and being the proud roommate of an oblivious potential target of a hit that I’ve earned at leastoneinappropriate joke.”
“You were right, Darius.” I linked my fingers. “She handled that well. But, Jess, like you said, Wren won’t react the same way you did. I need time to explain this to him when it’s right, but in the meantime, our priority is to keep you both safe. Tomorrow I’ll take Wren out, and we’ll have a team come in during that time to beef up security. Unfortunately, regarding the hotness of your new bodyguard, Nik and Darius have to sign off on that one.”
“If Wren finds out I knew about this when he didn’t?—”
“He’ll appreciate you looking out for him.”
“Will he?” She narrowed her eyes. “He’s already suspicious. You think he won’t notice when you start breathing down his neck twenty-four seven?”
“I know it won’t be easy,” I admitted. “But I’m not ready to lose him. And telling him would risk exactly that.”
“I don’t know, Maxim. I don’t want to betray Wren. Fucking hell. I can’t believe you’re in the mob.”
“It’s a shock, but listen to me, Jess. My only intention here is to protect you and Wren from being touched by my world. I can’t have anything happening to that boy in there. All I’m asking is you give me time to explain the situation to him. If he finds out now, he’ll—there’s a possibility he will want to end our relationship, but that’s not an option right now.” It would never be an option. “The people who are after me won’t care how he feels. All that matters is that I care deeply for him and they won’t hesitate to hurt him because of me.”
Jess tilted her head, reading me with that razor-sharp insight that made her both maddening and invaluable.
“You really love him, huh?”
I didn’t answer. Didn’t need to.
Everything I was doing was all for Wren.
“I know it’s not fair to ask this of you, but can I count on you?”
“Fine, but you have to tell him as soon as possible.”
“You’re an amazing friend. Thank you.”
