Page 29 of Pregnant Bratva Wife
“One of our dock workers. Said he overheard they would hike up bribes through the ports the day we were on the routes.”
I clenched my jaw so hard my teeth might have crack. “And it didn’t occur to you that this might be a setup? That maybe The Espositos wanted you to change plans so they’d know exactly when to hit you?”
Dante’s eyes widened. “Shit.”
“Six men dead, Dante. Six of our people.” The wound on my arm throbbed like hell and only made me angrier. “All because you couldn’t stick to the plan.”
“I thought I was protecting our interests,” he argued, but the fire was gone from his voice.
“You’re not paid to think,” I snapped. “You’re paid to follow orders. Next time you get a ‘tip,’ you come to Caspian, Giovanni, or me first. Understood?”
He nodded sullenly. “Understood.”
A few moments of silence passed before Achille turned to face me. “You’re hurt, Brother.” His eyes were drawn to the blood on my shirt.
“I know,” I said. “Just a graze.”
“You should get that looked at. We can take you to the doctor,” Dante said, pointedly. Though reckless, he cared deeply for me. I knew that.
“No hospitals. I’m tired,” I protested. “Just drop me home. I’ll manage.”
***
By the time I got home, it was past midnight. The mansion was completely quiet; thank god for that.
My plan? I wanted to slip in, clean up, and bandage the graze without Autumn seeing me.
I had nothing to worry about. At this hour, she was bound to be asleep.
I slipped in through the side entrance and hoped to make it to my room without a sound. The last thing I needed was to explain bloodstains to my new bride.
I made it halfway up the stairs when the lights flicked on.
Autumn stood at the top of the landing, a sleepy smile on her face. “Oh, hi!” she mumbled, walking down the stairs. “I was just going to grab some water.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I needed to turn around.
But that would be suspicious.
Maybe she wouldn’t notice. Maybe she was too sleepy to notice.
But then, she stopped. Her mouth hung open.
I froze.
“Is that blood?” she shrieked, nearly dropping the empty bottle of water in her hand.
She moved towards me, the concern clear on her face.
“It’s nothing,” I said, trying to step around her to head up.
She blocked my path. “That doesn’t look like nothing.”
“I said it’s fine.” My voice came out harsher than intended.
“You’re hurt,” she insisted, reaching for my arm.
