Page 115 of Owned Bratva Bride

While I might have doubted that a few days ago, there was no doubt in my heart about him coming for me this time.

“How do you feel now? Does anywhere hurt?” she asked.

“I’m alright now. Thanks to your hearty soups.”

“And Sir Eduard’s care,” Sofia added, wiggling her eyebrows.

I laughed. I had missed her romantic theatrics.

“Yes, and his care,” I admitted.

“What do you want for lunch? Anything at all, I’ll make it specially for you,” Sofia rushed.

“I’m eating whatever everyone else is. It’s still too early for lunch, anyway.”

“I’ll make fresh juice. You can’t say no to that,” she insisted.

Agatha took the seat next to mine, a serious expression on her face.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not scared? Having nightmares?”

“The first night was rough, but Eduard was right there. I’m fine. Really fine,” I assured, touched by her concern.

“It must have been horrible,” she complained. “In case of anything, you know you can always talk to me.”

“Thank you, Agatha.”

Later that afternoon, I wandered to the piano room. I didn’t go to the glistening grand piano. I stood just inside the room, my eyes on the instrument.

When I was much younger, I used to find expression in playing the piano in times like this. Times when I had just escaped through an ordeal or gone through a change. I used to share my happiness or fear with the piano. Unlike my parents or siblings, I knew it wouldn’t call my ordeal a result of my headiness. It wouldn’t tell me my happiness was unreasonable.

The pull to it was strong, but I just stood there.

As I turned my back on the piano, I knew I couldn’t resist for so long.

I didn’t really want to: I just didn’t know where to start.

Chapter 24 – Eduard

Having Marielle back in the house, with me, still felt surreal. The tender feeling in my chest at the thought of her picking me over the freedom I offered tugged at my lips every time. That was another thing that having her did to me: smiles for reasons I wouldn’t have cared about. It was a new haven, like she said, a new chapter.

It was Friday, and as I ascended the stairs to pick her up for dinner, my phone rang.

It was Ivan.

“What is it?” I questioned.

He had been at the second warehouse all day; he didn’t get the memo I had given the other men not to call me until the end of the day. So, I couldn’t blame him.

“Boss, Paolo and Tristan want to meet. They asked to know when you’ll be free. They said it’s about the information about the secret route we shared with them. They mentioned an offer to show their gratitude, some exclusive deal.”

“I see. Anytime next week is fine,” I replied before adding, “except midnights.”

Before, I’d attended to work whenever it came, whether that was during the day or in the dead of the night. But that had changed; I now had a lover waiting for me.

“Okay, Boss.”

I caught a whiff of the perfume I’d come to love as I opened the bedroom door.