Page 80 of Owned Bratva Bride

But, right now, even if I could, I wouldn’t end the conversation.

“Men like you, you mean?”

“It was a Bratva event; most of us are in the same line of business.”

“Maybe. But all of them didn’t look like you, though. You fit right in, yet you stood out.”

Is that a compliment?

“You looked so beautiful in that dress.”

“Thanks.” She turned her head to my side. “It all seems to come naturally to you. Being a boss in your world, I mean. Were you really born into this?”

“My dad and his brothers were in it, so yeah.”

“And your mom has no issues with it?”

“I don’t think she did,” I answered. Then, I added, “She’s no longer here.”

“I’m sorry,” she uttered, her voice softer as she looked back up at the ceiling.

We were like that for a while, silently lying face-up beside each other, before I spoke again.

“Where were you when the attack happened?”

“In the study.”

From her sigh, she was probably reliving the occurrence.

“Were you scared?”

BecauseIhad been.

“What do you think? I thought I was going to die.”

“You didn’t call me,” I pointed out, my voice lower.

“You couldn’t care less,” she answered, chuckling like it was a fact.

It made an unpleasant feeling rush through me.

But she wasn’t wrong. Although it was for my sanity, I had distanced myself from her.

“Of course, I cared.” I swallowed, correcting myself, “Idocare.”

“Everyone’s safe. It’s all that matters,” she uttered.

Maybe that was really all that mattered. Not fighting so hard to keep her out. We could just be like this, no feelings, no attachments.

Why doesn’t that sound good to me?

She stretched, a soft, tired moan leaving her lips.

“This would be a good night for milk cookies if only I could wave a magic wand and a fairy would bring it from the kitchen,” she disclosed.

A slow smile crept up my lips.

“I never knew you indulged in late-night snacks. Now, it’s not a wonder you’re so voluptuous.”