Page 23 of Bratva Hunter

“Yes. I actually just arrived in time to order food because I hadn’t eaten.”

“Oh.” Her big eyes expand. “So, what are you doing here in Phoenix? Is it more of your family’s logistical business?”

I sit down in the chair next to her and put my hand on her arm, stroking my fingers down her bare skin. “Yes. There’s a company that needs my family’s assistance, and that’s why I’m here.”

A loud thump in the hallway causes her to jump in her seat. “Hey.” I pull her from her seat into my lap. “You’re safe with me. What’s this all about?”

She ducks her head into my chest. “I have people after me.”

I use my fingers to raise her head to see into her eyes. “What people?”

She avoids my gaze. “I…”

“Rosa!” My growl is harsher than I intend, but she focuses on my face. “What people?”

Her voice is low as she answers. “My father’s people. I was there when my father died. They want something from me.”

“What do they want pretty girl?”

“I took something.”

I nod. So, the cartel lied about her. Not surprised at all. Play it cool. I can’t ask about the thing she took. Be patient. She relaxes as I adjust her against my chest. “You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you.”

“Again.” She wipes a tear that falls down her face. “No one is going to hurt me again.”

The protector side of me roars at her words. “Who hurt you?”

She sniffles as she takes a breath. “My father hurt me, and his uncle thought it was perfectly okay to smack me around when he saw fit. Luckily, I haven’t had to spend a lot of time with them.”

“That’s awful. No one should treat you that way.” I stand with her in my arms and walk us to the living room. “Do you really think they’ll come to Phoenix to find you?”

She shrugs as she snuggles in on my lap. “A biker gang tried to take me from the last place. I can’t imagine the lengths they’ll go to find me.”

“Well, I’m here now.”

Just that fast, she’s asleep. I stand to pick her up and carry her into the bedroom, pulling off her shoes as I lay her down. She looks so tiny on the king size bed. I step away, leaving a light on in the primary bathroom. Dialing, my father answers.

“Roric?”

I answer in Russian. I don’t want the nymph to hear any of my conversation. “I have the girl. They lied about why they want her. She apparently took something that night from her father. I have zero reason to think she’d tell anyone about how he died. They just wanted us to do their work for them.”

“Can you get her back here? Does she know who you are?”

“I’ll think of a plan to convince her. Her family has contracted out to get her. And, no, she doesn’t know who I am, but I did meet her before all of this in Prague.”

My father growls. “You’re just telling me this now?”

“I didn’t think it mattered. If she was going to hurt our family, it wouldn’t matter if I knew her.”

He blows out a breath and offers silence. “I’ll see what else I can find out. Be safe. Don’t let them find either of you until we know what the fuck is going on.”

“Yes, Papa.” I end the call and lean against the hallway wall. I’ve never wanted another woman as much as I want the little beautiful nymph asleep in the bed. Quietly, I peek around thedoorframe to confirm she’s still asleep. Satisfied she’s safe, I move to the kitchen and dial Fingers.

“Hello?”

“Who’s coming for her next?”

He clacks away on the keyboard. “Have you seen her?”

---