Page 47 of Bratva Hunter

Rosa scoffs. “He won’t be coming back.”

In a scoldy, school teacher tone, her grandmother speaks. “Rosa. Don’t be rude.”

She bows her head as the door opens to a large suite. A large four-sectioned painting adorns the wall. Pastel colors with Rosa’s image in each square show a smiling, happy woman. My heart clenches when I look at the annoyance on my wife’s face. She turns to her grandmother. “We need two beds. Please ask Mrs. Martin to set up another room.”

Her grandmother’s face drops the sweet look she’s had since we arrived. She nods to me and takes Rosa by the arm. “We’ll be back. Please make yourself comfortable. Mrs. Martin can unpack your bags if you wish.”

I shake my head and move further into the room. I strain to hear the unhappy voices in the hallway.

“He’s your husband.”

“He forced me to marry him.”

“That man saved you from your father’s family. He married you to keep you safe and give your baby a father. He seems pleased that you’re having more than one. And in case you haven’t noticed, he loves you.”

“You’re crazy.” Her tone raises in pitch to almost a whine.

“Regardless. You will not be getting another room. You’re married. Sleep with your husband.”

Rosa stomps to her bag and unzips it. She avoids my eyes and mumbles under her breath. The door opens as Jackson pokes his head in. “Like cars?”

“Love them. Rosa mentioned you have a stable of cars.”

“Join me.” His tone reminds me of my father’s as I hustle to meet him on the stairs. “How’s Rosa?”

“Pissed.”

“What’d you do?”

“I kept who I was from her while we were running from her uncles.”

“Ha! That’ll do it. Any reason why?”

“Her family made me think she was one thing, and I found out she is completely different.”

“Rachel and Rosalie plan to throw a party this weekend. Are you okay with that?”

“That sounds awesome. I regret not being able to give Rosa more.”

“Huh. The rock on her finger seems like a lot.”

“That’s only monetary. I wish I could have given her the wedding of her dreams; I just didn’t have time. The marriage needed to happen. It’s all about control with her family’s cartel.”

“Don’t I know it. What do you know about Corvettes, young man?”

“I own one. Do you have one?”

The older man chuckles. “I have three.”

“Lead the way.”

ROSA

My grandfather walks Roric down the path to his garage. I don’t quite understand why my family seems hell bent on choosing him. I scan the estate through the window, bombarded with memories of the past.

“Rosa?”

“Yes, Mama.”

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