Page 19 of Bratva Beast

I put my hand down to help her up. She pulls off her shirt and bra, walking into my bathroom like she owns it. This woman is magnificent. There are bruises on her arms and one on her side. She drops her pants and yanks off her panties. She’s naked, waiting for my shower to warm.

“You’re safe, Isabella.” I step into the bathroom. I can’t take my eyes off her.

She looks at me with tears. “I know.”

She needs the new bottle of shampoo. I don’t want to leave her, but I run to the cabinet and get it. When I turn around, she’s sitting on the floor of the shower. I put her stuff down and I kick off my shoes as I strip. “I’m here, baby.” She holds her head in her hands. I pick her up off the floor and hold her to stand. “Let me wash you.” I squirt her bath gel in my hand and rub it over her skin, relishing the berry scent that reminds me of her.

She sobs. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re okay.”

She nods. “I’m going to have a nasty black eye tomorrow.”

I raise her chin so I can see her face. “He split your lip, too.” I growl. “You’ve got fucking bruises all over you.”

Her tongue licks over the cut on her lip. She winces. “He said I was his.” She blows out a huge breath. “I told him I was yours.”

My heart beats faster at her words. “You are mine. And no one is ever going to hurt you again.”

“I’m not giving up my career, Cyn.”

My frustrated growl echoes in the shower. “You’ll do what I say, Isabella. And no, you won’t give up your career, but you will do it my way.”

Turning off the water, I can’t seem to take my other hand off her hip. I grab the large white towel and wrap it around her. She needs a towel for her hair. I reach into the towel warmer and pull out a second towel to wrap around her head. I’m dripping water all over the floor, but I don’t care. She’s safe with me.

Once she’s dry, I dry myself, watching her drift into my bedroom. Her hands cover her breasts as I walk to my dresser to pull out a t-shirt. “Here. Wear this.” She slips the oversized t-shirt over her head. “It’s longer than a dress, but perfect for you to wear.” I push the intercom button. “Mrs. Belova, please bring Isabella some food to my bedroom.”

“I can get up and eat in the kitchen.”

“No, you’re staying right here. I’m seriously considering tying you to my bed so I know where you are at all times.” She starts to argue and I growl. “Hush. We’ll talk later.”

A knock at my door reminds me I’m still naked. “Wait!” I move to my dresser to pull out clothes. I put them on as I’m striding to my door.

Mrs. Belova looks in and frowns. “Can I do anything?”

“No. Thank you. She’s okay. She just needs to eat.”

Isabella raises her head to my housekeeper, who steps back while I close the door. I walk the food tray and set it on the bed. “You need to eat. “

She grabs a piece of cheese and a slice of ham and puts them between two crackers. “I’m going to get cracker crumbs in your bed.”

I groan. “Our bed.”

Isabella’s head jerks up from her crackers, and her hand stops moving. “So nice I can still stun you every once in a while.” I’m snickering as my phone rings. I hit the button and put it to myear. “Damn it. I’ll be there when I’m there.” I hang up the phone, tossing it onto the bedside stand. My woman eats more, and my heart starts to settle. She’s everything I didn’t realize I needed, and that psycho could have taken her from me. My blood again rises to boil.

She drinks the Gatorade and sets it down on the tray. “I should go to my room.”

“You’re not going anywhere. This is your room.”

She gasps. “Yes, Cyn.” She lies down on our bed.

I tuck the blanket around her and my mind waffles between wanting to stay and assure myself she’s safe and head to the warehouse to dismember the man responsible for hurting the woman I love. Revenge wins. I kiss her forehead. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

She nods, yawning. “I know you have to go. I’ll be here when you get back, but I have class at nine.”

“Isabella.” I groan. The beast inside me is impatient to disembowel the man. “I’ll be back. I’ll leave Wystan here.”

“This condo is a fortress. I’m fine. Take him. You might need him to pull you off.” She gives me a look. She knows what I’m going to do.

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