Page 45 of Kept By the Bratva

Most of all, that she was no slave I’d buy for any amount of money. She would be her own woman here at the mansion. Kissing her tore at my heart, making me want more and more of her, but I couldn’t let her in any deeper in my heart. She’d already snuck in far enough to make me dream of a future together, and it would never happen if she was only here because she had to be.

“Mila…”

“Yeah?” I asked, rubbing her back as we stood together.

“Mila spoke with me. She guessed that I might be pregnant because Iwas sick and the housekeeper noticed when she brought food. I wanted… I would’ve rather told you, before anyone else.”

Sick? I didn’t like the sound of that. “I’ll make sure we get you all the medical care you need.”

She nodded, sighing again. “I appreciate that. Mila mentioned calling her doctor.”

“We have ample sources within the family. Our Bratva has a wide reach. We will get you a doctor.”

Despite her hesitation and obvious reluctance to sharing a life with me, she was a Bratva woman now.

My secret, repressed love for her already motivated me to see to her health and comfort, but now, my duty to the Bratva Family demanded that I keep her safe as well.

She was one of us.

Whether she wished it or not.

18

AMY

Nik confused me.

One minute, he was so mad, fuming as he clenched his teeth, fisted his hands, and stood so rigidly unapproachable.

The next, he softened his tone in the privacy of his wing and told me that he was sorry I was suffering all that I had. In his arms, I melted into his hug, wishing that I could count on him with my heart, not just my body.

When he kissed me, almost chastely with delicate tenderness, I felt the opposite of love. I was an obligation, a transaction to secure, not a woman he wanted out of affection.

My heart couldn’t take this aching pain, but I kept my chin up.

He stepped back too soon, but I’d be damned if I'd let my body chase the warmth of his.

“I’ll be back.”

I couldn’t help the huff that left my lips.Again. Locked up. Again.

“I’m going to get cleaned up and…” He pointed at his face, then his body. “We have a medic in training. He’ll stitch me up.”

I opened my mouth but slapped it shut.

“What?”

I shook my head.

“Tell me.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Please.”

“I could do it.”

He crossed his arms, stalling at the door. “You could?”