Page 46 of Trapped By the Bratva

“No.”

“Where are you?” she asked instead.

“I’m not telling you.”

“I’ll track you down and get what you owe me.”

I rubbed my face. It didn’t matter how many times I told her. I could repeat it until I turned blue in the face. She wouldn’t let it sink in. I was required to give her absolutely nothing. I’d given her all I made for years.

“You mean you already blew through that account you snuck on my phone and stole?”

“It’s none of your business what I do.”

I laughed harshly. “Then it’s none of yours where I am and what I’m doing, either!” She was delusional. In what universe was it okay for her to act like this? Did she think she was right in any of the ways she treated me? I was flabbergasted.

“I need some money, Hannah. Now. People are asking me for some funds. It’s complicated.”

I shook my head and dropped back on my bed. “Oh. So your druggie friends are asking for you to pay them instead of mooching all the time.”

“I don’t know why you think it’s cool to treat me like this. I kept you off the streets. I kept men away from you. You know that? That men wanted tobuyyou and sell you?”

I snorted. “Yeah, right. If anyone approached you like that, you’d ask them how much? All you care about is money. Not enough to get a job, just to take it however you can.”

“Money makes the world go round.”

“Then earn it.” Damn, it felt good to say that. Becca explained that cell calls weren’t traceable here. Within the Valkovmansion, multiple layers of technological and cyber security prevented people from trespassing. Recently, after Dmitri was captured, it sounded like they’d had a hacking incident. Maxim was the brother who’d upped all the security, and it felt really good to know that Melissa couldn’t spy on me here. She couldn’t reach me. I was safe here, and I didn’t take that for granted.

“I did. I thought I did. I didn’t have to step up and be your guardian when I did.”

“You only became my guardian so I could work my ass off. All for you to take my income and avoid working a day in your life. Now that I’ve cut the cord, you’re whining that it’s not fair.”

“Itisn’tfair!”

“Tough shit.” It was nice to be able to say that too.

“I won’t stop. I’m your sister, Hannah. You willalwaysowe me. You will always be indebted to me.”

“Not anymore.”

“So you’re cool with knowingI’llbe living on the streets now?”

“Why would you? My God, Melissa. Grow up and get a damn job! There is no such thing as an easy life. And I refuse to let you piggyback on how hard I work.”

“Are you even working? What’d you do, shack up with a sugar daddy?”

I didn’t dignify that with an answer. “I’m hanging up now.”

“One last time. I swear on my life, Hannah. One last time. Just lend me?—”

“Lendyou?” I cracked up, unable to hold it in. “Lendyou? You don’t intend to pay me back. Ever.”

“One last time,” she repeated, not replying to the fact we both knew, that she wouldn’t pay me back. “Help me out with a little cash one last time and I won’t bother you again.”

I didn’t understand how she thought she could manipulate me and guilt trip me into doing what she wanted, but it sounded so good.

One last time.The concept of never having to put up with her ever again was too sweet to resist. While I had a strong hunch that she was lying, that she would keep trying to ask me for more and more, I wouldn’t have to answer. In the future, I could remind her that this was the last time. Any other requests she’d make after this day would fall on deaf ears.

“Fine.”

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