Page 77 of Forced plus-size Bride of the Bratva

“I’m catching the mole in two days,” I say. “So I’m doubling security and focus. I don’t have time for arguments or questions. Stay in your place.”

I turn to leave.

“Do you love her?” he calls out.

I stop. The words hit harder than they should.

I don’t turn around.

“I know you don’t owe me an explanation,” he continues, his voice quieter this time. “But please. Jennie doesn’t deserve this life. She’s better than all of this.”

There’s a lump in my throat I wasn’t prepared for. Something bitter and hot. I clench my fists at my sides.

What I want to say is:

I’d burn the world to keep her safe.

That I’d die before I let her suffer.

That this life was already dark long before she stepped into it—but now that she’s here, I’m never letting go.

But I say nothing.

I walk away, silent, my footsteps echoing down the hall as I leave Logan behind.

A moment later, Kaz leans back in his seat, smirking like the smug bastard he is. The car hums quietly beneath us as it slices through the night.

“I know the answer to the question Logan asked,” he says, his voice amused.

I don’t take the bait. I keep my gaze on the road ahead, jaw tight. Zalar, sitting in the front seat, glances at Kaz through the rearview mirror but says nothing. He knows better.

“Are you not going to be honest with yourself?”

I shoot him a look. “Careful, Kaz.”

“I’m just saying.” He lifts his hands in mock surrender. “This mole—whoever he is—he knows you’ve changed. He’scounting on it. That explosion today? That wasn’t just a warning. That was personal.”

A muscle jumps in my jaw. I replay the sound of that first blast, the smoke swallowing us whole, Jennie’s blood on her lip—her terrified eyes. I tighten my fist.

Kaz continues, serious now. “We know Logan was framed. And whoever did it wanted you distracted. Wanted her right in the middle of it. She’s the leverage. And you, my friend, are the prize.”

I nod slowly. “So we bait the trap.”

Kaz grins again. “Now we’re talking. What’s the plan? I want to see some blood.”

“We leak fake intel. Something juicy enough to bait them.”

Kaz tilts his head. “Like what?”

“That Logan is being moved. Say we’re relocating him tomorrow morning. But in reality, we tighten the circle. No one moves. No one breathes without me knowing.”

Kaz’s eyes narrow with satisfaction. “Nice. Make them desperate. Desperate men slip up.”

“They always do.”

I glance out the window. The trees whip past, but my mind is already three steps ahead.

“I want eyes on everyone,” I continue. “Everyone I’ve worked with for the past year. Zalar will run silent background checks. Financials, comms, family ties. Every fucking detail. If someone so much as sneezes out of place, I want to know. Tomorrow, we go in for the kill.”