Page 59 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

“Ruvim you have to train for something like that. You can’t just get into the cage and expect to do well,” Radmir comments.

“I can fight,” Ruvim says defensive and looking offended.

“I know you can fight, but not at that level. You fight with rules, with men who have respect for their opponent. Cage fighting is completely different. They will kill you,” Radmir says sternly. He looks towards Rodion. “Tell him he can’t do it.”

“They can fucking try,” Ruvim hisses, getting more annoyed at Radmir’s doubt.

“Rodion?” Radmir says, his voice tight with anger.

“Radmir is right, Ruvim. It is a different kind of fighting,” Rodion says calmly, staring at his youngest brother.

“Do you think I’m blind? I’ve been watching Renat fight for almost a year now. I know what cage fighting is.” He is so worked up he is laughing—a bitter twisted laugh of disbelief that his brothers aren’t encouraging his pursuits.

“Ruv, calm down—“ Renat says. “They aren’t wrong.”

Ruvim reaches the end of his patience and stands up abruptly. “You’reallwrong. You have no idea what I’m capable of. Radmir, I expected you to be happy for me that I wanted to try something new.” He glares at Radmir.

“I don’t want you to kill yourself over some macho bullshit ego thing,” Radmir hisses.

I stand up too because Ruvim looks like he’s about to lose control. I want to try and pull him away from this tension and distract him, give him a chance to calm down. I have brothers. I know how it can be between them.

“Hey, Ruvim do you mind showing me where the bar is so I can pour another drink?” I ask, hoping like hell that he will take the distraction and roll with it.

He glares at me for a second and then sneers. I don’t take offense at it because I know it’s not me who he is upset with.

“Yeah, follow me,” he huffs and storms out of the dining room.

I follow behind him and when he stops at the bar, staring out over the swimming pool area, he sets his hands on his hips and growls angrily.

“Radmir is only being so hard headed about this because he cares about you, Ruvim,” I say cautiously, reaching for the bottle of gin.

“No, he just doesn’t think I can do it. That’s all. He doesn’t believe in me.”

I laugh a little, not mocking him, but trying to ease the tension.

“No, he’sbeingoverprotective. It’s got nothing to do with your skill level. You’re the youngest aren’t you?” I ask.

“I am. So what?” he snaps.

“My older brothers used to besuperover protective of Grigor.” I smile gently. The sound of his name on my lips doesn’t hurt as much as it did before.What a strange thing to notice in this moment.

Ruvim swallows hard. I know he is aware that I lost my little brother earlier this year. Radmir told me that he let his family know.

“Them being protective doesn’t take away from the fact that I’m a good fighter. I need experience to get better and I’ll only get that kind of experience in the cage,” he says sternly. Then he gestures towards the bar. “Help yourself, uh, yeah—I’m done with the dinner. I need some time alone.”

“Sure.” I smile and watch him walk away. Then I start fussing about, pouring a gin and tonic, just so I have something to carry back to the dining room with me.

But while I’m pouring my drink my phone rings in the back pocket of my jeans. It hasn’t rung in so long that I get a fright, scrambling to answer it.

Andrei. Shit. Now isn’t a good time. Although, no time would technically be a good time.

“Hi,” I say quietly. My heart racing and my breathing becoming tight.

“Jade, what the hell is going on? Everyone is worried about you,” he demands right off the bat.

“How are you? I’m fine. That’s so nice,” I say sarcastically.

“Quit fucking around. I need an update. Your brothers are breathing down my neck. Malkov just about wants to hang me, and the Enzos are right up my ass telling me you are taking way longer than you promised. They want intel, Jade. Now. You’ve been inside for ages. What have you been doing?” he says with accusation in his voice.

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