Page 66 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

Your family will be so disappointed in you, Jade.

Your family never wanted you to do this in the first place. They said no for weeks. They never liked this plan.

I chew at the inside of my cheek, thoughts and fears churning together in a washing machine of doubt inside my mind.

The Enzos are relying on me for this. They have been so supportive of me since I lost my brother. Andrei has done so much for me and for my family. His best friend deserves justice, too.

They are all getting impatient with me. I did make promises. Andrei is right. I promised this would be easy. I promised I would be in and out in a matter of weeks. But I had no idea what I was walking into and what would happen to my heart and what I would learn and who I would meet.

I had no idea.

And now I’m almost a different person.

Somehow, this experience has helped me heal a little and overcome that suffocating pain.

I think it was Radmir.

What a joke. What a cruel, mocking joke that the man who killed my brother is the man who helped me heal from the pain.

Not that it will ever go away completely. I understand that. But I’m not hellbent on revenge anymore.

I sigh and press my fingers against my eyes.

I’m so caught up in the turmoil of my own thoughts that when the crowd screams in victory, I jump in fright.

I glance first towards Rad.

He is downing his beer, his brothers are standing next to him, grinning, high fiving each other.

They all look relieved.

I glance towards the cage and a very broken, very beaten looking Ruvim is standing there in the center with his hands raised in the air as he screams his own inner triumph.

He won.

Barely though, by the looks of him.

He sways and staggers a little, leaning against the side of the cage for support.

“He won!” Roman shouts.

“This time,” Radmir says, unimpressed.

“Let’s go.” He turns to me and holds out his hand.

I place mine in his and let him lead me out of the cage fighting arena, up the stairs and to the car park.

He is angry and quiet. Dark and moody.

But he isn’t taking it out on me. He’s just lost in his own thoughts, like I am lost in mine.

In the dark night I look across the car towards him.

His face is tight and pained.

If he lost his youngest brother, it would drive him crazy with guilt. It truly is the key to ruining him and his empire, and his family.

Anxiety sits tightly in my chest.

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