Page 66 of Innocent Bratva Twins

It’s just after lunchtime on Wednesday, and I’m sitting in the living room flicking through Netflix, not paying attention to the screen, just desperate for something to do.

A knock at the door makes me jump out of my skin, and it also makes me realize how tense I am.

I run up to the door and stand up on my tiptoes to peek through the spy hole.

“It’s Jade,” she says loudly through the door, making me jump again.

“And Aliyah,” Aly calls out.

“I don’t have a key,” I shout through the door.

“It’s okay, we have one.”

The door is pushed open, and my heart jumps with excitement.

But then I stiffen, hesitating. “Did Nico send you?” I ask, frowning, worried that maybe I’ve made a rushed decision to be happy to see them.

“Actually,“ Aly raises her brows high, “he would probably be furious if he found out we were here, so please don’t say anything to him.”

Jade dumps her purse on the sofa. “Ijustfound out that he was keeping you a freakingprisonerin here. I overheard Rad talking on the phone. So, I snuck out, fetched Aly on the way, and we came straight over.”

“Are you ok?” Aly says, pulling me into a hug. She holds me for longer than I expect, and when she doesn’t let go, but instead wraps her arms tighter around me, I sink against her, trying not to cry.

“Not really,” I manage to stammer.

Jade shakes her head, angry. The red tips of her long black hair move like fire over her shoulders. “He’s such an asshat,” she huffs. “I’m sorry you’re going through this, honey. But we’ve come to take you out.”

“Out?” I say in surprise. “Nico says it’s really dangerous—“

“Ugh, he’s being dramatic,” Jade laughs. "There is always something going on in this family. He’s just doing it because he cares about you. Let’s go.”

I glance down at my jeans and sweatshirt. Nico fetched my clothes from my apartment, so I have most of them here—

“I should change. “

“Well, hurry up, but don’t get too fancy. It’s just dinner,” Aly says, waving me away.

I hurry and choose a dress, a different pair of boots, and a pretty sweater. I splash mascara on and give my hair a quick brush, pulling it into a bun on top of my head.

Aly and Jade are both dressed similarly, so that should be good enough.

“Ready,” I say, stepping back into the living room with my purse over my shoulder.

Following them out of the penthouse, my heart flip-flops with tension. Even though I’m angry about being locked up in there, the moment I step over the threshold, I know I’ve broken Nico’s commands. It sends a nervous thrill through me.

I tilt my chin up.

I’m free to do whatever the hell I want.

He doesn’t get to command me.

That isnothow the world works.

Jade drives, stopping outside a quiet restaurant near a side of town I don’t often visit.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been here,” I comment as we climb out of the car.

“No one ever comes here. That’s why I chose it. It will at least be secluded. Even though I think Nico is overreacting, there’s no harm in being a little careful,” she says, gesturing for me to walk ahead of her into the cozy restaurant.