Page 72 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

In the fumble, I accidentally answer it and the musical ringtone stops.

“Hello?” the voice on the other end says as I try to regain control of it and press it against my ear.

“Hello,” I say, not sure who I am talking to.

“Hey, girl,” Ruslana says cheerfully. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing really. Just… sitting around.” I glance around the room, relieved it isn’t someone else calling me.

“Where’s my brother? Why isn’t he entertaining you?” she laughs.

“He’s out somewhere. I’m not sure. He left an hour or so ago.”

I was so distracted and deep in thought when he stuck his head in the door that I didn’t hear what he said.

I need the time alone anyway. It’s difficult to look into those dark, warm grey eyes when I am hiding so much from him.

“Oh, he’s probably gone to watch Ruvim fight again.”

“He’s fighting again?” I mumble in shock. “But he’s still got stitches in, and he’s hardly recovered from the other night.”

“Boys will be boys.” She brushes off.

But this is so much worse than she understands. Ruvim is in danger, more danger than he might know. If anyone else has figured out that he’s the key to Radmir’s destruction—theywill fix the fight.

And honestly, it’s not like Radmir was hiding his stress at the last fight night. He was so visibly distraught it was like a flashing red light and sirens going off around him, drawing attention to his kryptonite.

“Shit, sorry, Ru. I have to go. I’ll talk later ok—“ I say, already moving to hang up.

“What—wait—aren’t we going to hang out—“

But I’ve put the phone down. I don’t have time.

I’m panicking. I know for sure that Radmir didnotsay he was going to watch Ruvim fight.ThatI would have registered.

I have to stop Ruvim.

I have to talk him out of this before something really does happen to him.

I can’t let the plan go on, even though I know I won’t be part of it. If it still happens, it’sstillon me.

I know him. He doesn’t deserve this. His whole family doesn’t deserve this.

If he dies that will be on me.And I know what an innocent, sweet and beautiful soul he has.

My throat is tight with stress.

Shit.

I took too long to come to my senses so that I could stop this.

I am already flying down the stairs, grabbing a set of car keys on my way past the front door.

I push the button, not sure which car I have the keys for and parked a little way from me, the Audi beeps unlocked.

I climb inside and bump my head.

Karma is a funny thing.

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