Page 3 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

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It's late afternoon when I leave Malkov’s apartment. Amber is still there, and they are talking about going out for lunch. But I want to meet Andrei. Glancing at my watch, I walk a little faster towards the parking area behind the tall apartment building. I’ll be late if I don’t hurry. That vodka went straight to my head, I really should start trying to eat breakfast before I visit Malkov. He’s always handing out vodka at his place.

I blink the remote of my car and it flashes open.

I drive a little red golf. It’s had a few modifications done to it. Grigor and I were into illegal street racing for a while. This isn’t the car we raced in, but because of that we ended up playingwith this one’s engine too. It was just something we enjoyed doing together.

The modifications aren’t exactly legal for a road vehicle. But what no one knows can’t hurt them. Right?

I climb into the car and the engine growls to life. A far richer, deeper growl than one would expect.

I smile when I accelerate down the road, headed towards the bar where I am meeting Andrei. My hands wrapped around the steering wheel, nervous anticipation running through me as my bright red painted nails begin to strum anxiously.

Andrei is already there when I walk into the bar, shrugging the heavy coat off my shoulders because they have the heat turned up way to hot in here, even for early winter, I know it’s getting cold people but damn. Stop trying to cook us. At least wait until the first snowfall before you go full nuclear with the heating.

Andrei stands up to hug me when I arrive at the table he’s kept for us.

“Hey, Jade. For a moment, I thought you’d changed your mind.” He smiles, a tight sad smile. His dark blonde hair and brown eyes, teamed with his sharp features and small stature make him look a little mouse-like. I know he was good friends with Grigor but also a little jealous of him. I think Grigor was the outgoing, good-looking one and Andrei only really became popular once he befriended my brother. But that was years ago. Grigor and Andrei proved to be such good friends over the years. Andrei is like my other brother now.

He hugs me briefly and then I sling my coat over the back of the chair before sitting down.

“Did you speak to them?” he gets straight to the point, just the way I like it.

I nod. “I did, and they finally agreed to the plan,” I answer excitedly. “I want to do this as soon as possible. Did you speak to the Enzos?”

Andrei has worked for the Enzo family for years, trying to build a name for himself and a strong future in the Bratva world. I think he’s doing pretty well and starting to get respect amongst the Enzo brothers.

“I did. They’re in. They were just waiting for your go ahead. And I need to run through the plan with you one last time but in more detail, seeing as it’s officially happening now.”

Andrei waves down the bartender and asks me what I want. “Cream soda, please,” I say, knowing he will be embarrassed to order that and taking a small amount of pleasure and amusement in his discomfort.

The waiter doesn’t even blink at the order and leaves to get that and another beer for Andrei.

I run through everything with him.

From how the news will reach the Kutnetzovs, specifically Radmir, to the time and place it will happen, which is going to be tomorrow night. I’m so fucking happy they are as eager to get this going as I am. If they told me next week I’d be impatiently chewing my nails off all week.

“You’ve set up my fake identity, right? Jade Blake?”

“Yup, where you work, where you went to community college, blah blah, everything he would need to see if he wanted to confirm your story.”

“Ok, but how can you be so sure that he will believe it?” I ask, concerned.

“Because there are a few harmless truths mixed in with the lies.”

I nod, skeptical but hopeful that Andrei will know the difference between a harmless truth and a truth that might get me killed while I’m undercover.

He carries on chatting, oblivious to my concern. “Ok, and then there will be pretty much no communication once you are on the inside with him. I think it’s safer that way. You stay off the radar until you have something concrete we can use to take him down. Only contact us in an emergency.”

“Agreed, but I will have my phone on me.” I nod, sipping the bright green soda.

That night when I climb into bed, my heart feels more at ease than it has in months. I am going to avenge my brother’s death. I’m going to do something about it.

“I’ll make sure he pays,” I whisper to the darkness, speaking to my lost brother. Then I close my eyes and fall asleep, drifting off into a world of darkness where I’m running and screaming and trying to get there fast enough to save Grigor.

Chapter 2 - Radmir

“Are you sure they’re going to be here?” Ruvim asks, peering through the passenger window of my black, heavily tinted SUV.

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