Page 66 of Bratva Bidder
I folded my arms over my chest. “What kind of business takes you away so often?”
He walked toward me slowly, unhurried. “The kind I don’t involve you in.”
“Why not?” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. “You married me. Bought me. You’ve claimed every inch of my life…except the truth.”
He stopped inches from me, his eyes studying my face.
“You don’t want to know the truth, Nadya,” he said softly. “The truth has blood on its hands.”
I swallowed hard, but didn’t back down. “Maybe I do.”
He reached out, brushing a finger under my chin, tilting it up just slightly. “Curiosity is a dangerous thing in my world.”
My heart was pounding. “I’m not a fool, Konstantin.”
“No,” he said. “You’re not.”
For a beat, we stood there in silence.
Then he stepped away, walking to his desk.
“I’ve already made arrangements. Lev will stay nearby in case you need anything. You’ll have the estate to yourself. I figured you could use the space.”
That last part—it had felt almost kind. A strange softness beneath his usual steel.
I remember swallowing hard. “Thank you.”
His eyes flicked to me, holding for just a second too long.
Now, I try not think what that look meant.
I stay curled between my children a little longer, pretending the sterile walls and faint chemical tang of antiseptic don’t exist.
Nikolai stirs beside me, his lashes fluttering. He doesn’t open his eyes, but his fingers twitch weakly around mine. I squeeze back gently.
“I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart,” I whisper. “You’re going to get better. I promise.”
Even if it kills me.
Mila hums softly under her breath, still half-asleep, still nestled against my side like she’s trying to keep her brother warm with her own little heart. Irina smiles from the corner of the room, watching us with that quiet patience only she knows how to manage.
It almost feels…normal.
Safe.
A bubble.
I soak it in—this impossible, borrowed moment. One I know I don’t get to keep.
There’s a knock at the door, and a young nurse steps inside, a clipboard in her hand. “Ms. Makarova?”
I stiffen slightly at the name but nod.
“The doctor asked if you could go down to the pharmacy on level two. Nikolai’s blood pressure dropped earlier, and we need to start a different course of medication. The supply here’s out of stock, but it’s available downstairs.”
I glance at Irina.
She stands, already taking my place beside the bed. “I’ve got them,” she says gently. “Go. I’ll call if anything changes.”
