Page 96 of Bratva Bride

Anger throbbed through me at her insolence. “Don’t think because we’re in public and you’ve got your bimbo posse that I won’t put you in your place,” I whispered darkly. “Because I will.”

Unease flitted across her face and she lowered her eyes to the ground. “I’m sorry. Please, Illayana. I really need to speak to you. It’s important.”

“If it’s so important, why can’t you just talk about it here, now?”

“Because, and I mean no offence when I say this, but I don’t trust your men. I’ve come across vital information that’s for your ears only. It concerns the family. I stopped by your house to talk to you about it but you weren’t there, so I tracked you down here.”

I was sceptical as hell. Rayna wasn’t to be trusted.At all. But if there was a threat to the family I needed to know.

“Alright. Fine.”

Rayna smiled and for once, it seemed genuine. “Thank you.”

“Illayana.” Adrian gave me a look that conveyed he wasn’t happy about this, but I just shook my head.

Even if Rayna tried something, I was confident I could take her.

“Let’s go over here.” I motioned for her to follow me. “You guys wait here; I’ll be back in a second.”

Adrian gripped my arm, stopping me. “I really don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Relax, Adrian. It’s fine.”

“Illayana-”

“Adrian.” I raised my voice, demanding his obedience. “I said it’s fine. Now, step back.”

He clenched his jaw, eyes burning in anger, but relented, letting me go. “Fine. If you insist on doing something this idiotic then you stay in my line of sight. You hear me? You’re not the only one your father will punish if something happens to you.”

I nodded. I was willing to compromise.

Lorenzo, Christian and Luca all looked as if they were going to protest too, but I gave them the Volkov stare, chin up, shoulders back, eyes hard, jaw clenched, stance strong and powerful.

They backed down.

“Come on, Rayna. Let’s make this quick.”

She followed behind me as I led the way to the front of the mall, stepping outside but staying within Adrian’s line of sight. The night was cold and dark, the moon shining brightly amongst the stars.

“Alright, you got me alone. Now, cut the crap and tell me what you wanted to tell me.”

Rayna smiled again and I shook my head.

“Quit the nice girl routine. You’re not fooling me and quite frankly, it just doesn’t suit you.”

“What? I’m genuinely happy that you’re letting me grace your all-mighty presence and talk with you.”

I rolled my eyes. “If you’re not gonna tell me anything substantial, then I’m leaving.”

I turned to head back into the mall and she gripped my arm. “Wait. Okay, sorry. I just can’t help antagonising you sometimes.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Can we sit?” She gestured to a seat a few steps away. It put me out of Adrian’s view.

“No. Talk here, now. Or I walk.”

She pursed her lips but nodded. “Look, this might sound crazy, but I think there’s a rat in the family.”

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