Page 187 of Bratva Jewels Box Set
This must be Maxim’s phone number that Sergei slipped to me. Tomorrow morning, I’m going to ask Zoe to grab me a new phone. I’ll have to be careful especially around Sophie because they will wonder why I’m so desperate for a phone. I’ll have to come up with a good excuse in the morning. I get changed into my old pajamas and slide the phone number into the drawer of my bedside table where I know it will be safe and fall asleep with a smile on my face.
21
GRACE
“Good morning, my gorgeous daughter.” My mother comes into my room with a plate of breakfast and a glass of juice for me.
“Mum, what time is it?” I groggily rub my eyes.
“It’s 9:18 a.m., sweetheart. I stayed away for as long as I could,” she says, giving me a wide grin.
I can’t begrudge her, she’s been through hell and back with her daughters and the fact that I’m back must be a huge relief for her.
“Thanks, Mum,” I say, digging into Vegemite on toast. Oh, how I’ve missed you.
“The girls asked me not to say anything, but I need to know, sweetheart. You’re okay, aren’t you? They didn’t hurt you this time?” she asks cautiously.
Reaching out, I grab her hand in mine and give it a small squeeze. “No, Mum, they didn’t hurt me. They looked after me this time.”
Her shoulders roll back, and a heavy sigh falls from her lips. “I’m sorry I asked, but I needed to know,” she confesses, giving my hand a squeeze.
“I’m a lot stronger this time,” I reassure her.
“I can see that, sweetheart, you’ve changed.”
“I promise this time things are going to be different,” I reassure her.
“You did nothing wrong last time. Whatever you needed to do to come back to us I’m glad you did it,” she says, giving my hand another squeeze. “Enrique has arrived to have a chat. Whenever you are ready, there is no hurry, he’s waiting for you.”
“Thanks, Mum,” I say, waving the toast in the air as she closes the door behind her. I’m not looking forward to Enrique’s questions.
After a long ass shower, I spend even longer putting on makeup. There’s a knock at my door, and I head over and open it; it’s Sophie. I knew she wouldn’t let it go, it’s not in her nature. This will be good practice before Enrique’s interrogation.
“Thought we could walk together,” she says brightly.
“It’s just down a corridor, Soph. I think I can manage.”
Sophie is a little taken aback by my attitude but recovers quickly. “Fine, can we talk then?”
“Fine,” I say, rolling my eyes as I let her into my room.
“You look good, well rested.”
“Were you expecting me to be a mess?” I ask, taking a seat back on my bed.
“Honestly, yeah. You were when you came back the first time. Now your eyes are clear, your skin has regained its color, and you seem stronger and happier. It’s strange.”
“It’s strange that I’m stronger?”
Sophie shakes her head. “It’s strange that you were kidnapped and now come back like you’ve been away in rehab for the past couple of months.”
“Maybe because I have,” I bite back.
“Where the hell were you? This is strange, Grace, you have to give me that.”
“Fine, you’re right. They helped me get off the drugs that I had become addicted to. They fed me good food, they didn’t beat me, they didn’t touch me, but I was still a prisoner even if the cell was a hell of a lot nicer,” I explain to her.
“I’m worried because I love you,” Sophie says.
