Page 41 of Bratva Hunter

“Fuck you.”

He pulls me across his lap and pops my ass with his hand. “Stop!”

The vehicle moves into the tunnel as I skitter off his lap, moving against the window. “Don’t fucking touch me!”

He throws his hands up in surrender and faces me. “Marry me in name only. I’ll agree to anything you want, but you’ll have my name and my protection.”

I stifle a hysterical laugh as the driver stares through the rearview. “Your protection. Fuck you. You gave me to them. You lured me in with all your swagger and lies just to hand me over to them so they could sell me to some other rich dude.” My eyes focus on his with a glare like my mother when she’s pissed. “I assume you’re rich.”

“Well, uh. That’s beside the point.”

“Is it though? You just assume that everything you do is great. My feelings meant nothing. My welfare and the health of my baby mean nothing. You’re an entitled prick, and I’ll never trust you again.” My arms tighten as I cross them across my chest. “Give me a phone, and I’ll call my grandparents. They’ll get me to Dallas.”

“No!” His hand scrapes across his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know my father arranged for your uncles to get you. I neverwould have allowed that. I told my father we were married hours ago. I want to marry you. You’re mine.”

“Well, if this is how you treat things that are yours, it’s obvious why you’re alone.”

The driver scoffs in the front seat as Roric growls. “Fuck you, Saxon.” He motions to the man snickering in the front. “That’s my youngest brother. I’m going to kill him when we stop.”

“Maybe he’ll kill you, and my troubles will all be over.”

Roric scowls. “Fine. Marry me, and I’ll take you to Dallas myself.”

“Ugh. I’m not marrying you.”

The SUV slams to a stop and two men rush to each side of our vehicle. Roric rolls down his window. “What’s going on?”

“The cartel is at the estate. They want to see her.” His finger points at me, and my anxiety peaks. “Marco is demanding to speak to her. He doesn’t believe you’re married. He says she belongs to the family.”

Roric’s head swings to me with a shit-eating grin. “Told you.”

“Fine. On paper only. It means nothing to me.” I readjust myself on the seat and stare out the window watching the happy people interacting in the cars around us as his brother puts the SUV in gear.

Lost in thought and starving, Roric opens my door. I don’t recognize the underground garage. A set of four black SUVs, three motorcycles, and a half dozen sport cars line up along the wall. Roric’s hand points across me. “That’s my Vette. We’ll take it out when we get back from Dallas.”

The elevator plays music like an expensive hotel. When it opens, a man surveils us as we walk out. He nods to Roric. “Mr. Bravikov.”

Roric offers an almost imperceptible head bob as he unlocks the door with a code. He steps in and motions for me to walk past. “The judge will be here in the morning. There are newclothes and the things you like in the first bedroom to the right. I’ll order your favorites.” I gawk at him. He’s so calm. I open my mouth to argue as he kisses my forehead. “We can fight after you’ve eaten.”

I trudge through the open floor plan, stopping to notice the abstract painting in the living room. It’s large brushstrokes of primary colors with a woman’s image centered within the colors. It’s striking. I gasp as he walks up behind me.

“My mother.”

“She’s stunning.”

“Yeah. You remind me of her.”

My head whips around. “Do you really think this charm is going to change anything?”

“Nope. I regret lying to you, but I didn’t know you.”

“You certainly knew me while we were running. I’m exactly who I seem to be. You on the other hand, I don’t know.” I turn to face him. “And I don’t want to.” I pivot on my heel, moving quickly down the hall.

RORIC

“Fuck!” The door closes with a bit more slam than I hoped for. Stupid, stupid. What did my mother say? Stupid is as stupid does. She’ll never forgive me, and how do I blame her? Her image with my child in her arms haunts my brain. I never expected to find someone. My mother told us all we’d find the woman of our hearts. Thane and Cynric did, and I just thought I was too evil with too many souls on my register.

My cell rings. “Hello?”

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