Bought by the Bratva (Morozov Bratva #17)

Chapter 16 - Nadia

Things have changed in the last couple of days. We were spending more time together. I was sure I was starting to understand Abram better. We appeared to be more alike than I could ever have imagined, and it was a bit scary.

Keeping it to myself was even more troubling as Vadik texted me daily now. I kept making excuses. But I knew I would have to give him something soon.

We were having breakfast outside, and the morning breeze was delightful. Listening to the birds chirping, I thought back to our conversation last night. If I understood him correctly, his big brother always took the lead. His main purpose was to babysit his little sister, Tasha.

Being a mommy’s boy and then joining the army made his life hard. He only joined to get out from under his brother and his father. He was in the military for so long, that his brothers rejected him and pushed him out like my family pushed me away.

That was if he was telling the truth. Looking up from my cup, I grinned as I spoke. “Abram, can I meet Tasha?” As my words hit the air, I almost regretted uttering them.

He looked at me so sharply that I was sure he was going to reject the idea. For the longest moment, we sat staring at each other. I was afraid to utter another word as I couldn’t determine his thoughts.

A strange grin appeared as he spoke slowly and calmly. “I think I can make that happen.”

Releasing the breath I was holding, I gave him a kind smile. “Thank you,” I said.

“No problem,” he said as he got up. “I’ll give her a call and set it up.”

I watched as Abram headed inside. He was different from the rest. I hoped that Tasha was more like him than the others. If so, I could see us building a relationship. If he meant as much to her as she did to him, I felt confident things could work.

After finishing my coffee, I headed in as well. I was about halfway upstairs when Abram appeared at the top. “

Tasha said she’ll be here around one. I was thinking we can do lunch and then you can have some time if you want.”

Grinning, I shook my head violently up and down as I responded. “Yes, thank you.” I felt excited and found it hard to contain it.

“Okay, I’ll let the cook know,” he added as he went back to his office.

Heading to my room, I wondered if I should change out of my shorts into a dress. Standing in front of my closet, I decided not to. I felt sure being in this family, Tasha would most likely wear jeans or shorts as well.

Sitting down before my dressing table, I added a smidge of makeup. Feeling ready, I grabbed the book I had borrowed from the library and went to sit at the poolside. It felt like no time had passed when I heard the doorbell.

Checking my watch, I saw it was just before one. Getting up, I placed the book on the table and went inside. Entering the house, I saw Abram was already there. He let Tasha inside and pulled her into a hug as he spoke. “Hi, Tasha, glad you could make it.”

She smiled at him as I walked over. Holding out my hand, I spoke softly. “Hello, Tasha. I’m Nadia. I’m glad you came.”

Tasha looked at me for a second, scanning me from head to toe. She seemed slightly hesitant as she glanced at Abram. He nodded, and she took my hand. I had almost lowered it, feeling sure she wasn’t going to take it. But she did.

The shake was soft and quick. It felt like she was only doing it to please him. Like she didn’t want to, but it was a decent thing to do. Her hand was softer than I imagined. Not that I really knew what to expect of a woman in bratva.

She actually looked normal. She was wearing blue jeans and a yellow shirt. She wore a pair of sneakers, and her hair was pinned up. “Come on, girls,” Abram said as he moved to the other door. “Let’s go sit outside.”

Tasha gave a little jump to his side and followed him outside. I felt a little left out, as if I didn’t belong. I followed closely behind them as they moved to the tables by the pool. I was determined to get as much intel as possible, even if I had to play nice.

Sitting down, I took the chair beside Tasha. Smiling warmly at her, I hoped to break through her hard shell. I listened for a bit as they spoke about this client and that one. Once the food came, I decided to add my voice. If I wanted intel, I would have to speak up.

“So, Tasha,” I said, swallowing food. “Do you also have warehouses, talk to clients, and deliver all kinds of goods like Abram?”

Tasha sat staring at me silently. At first, I thought she was never going to speak again. Her stare made me uncomfortable. It was like she was searching my face for something. I couldn’t read her expression as it was blank. Shifting in my chair, I glanced at Abram, begging him with my eyes for assistance.

“Yes, right,” he said as he rose. “Tasha, I have asked you to come so the two of you could get to know each other. I’m sorry if you misunderstood.”

Tasha turned her head to the side as she looked at him. I couldn’t see her face, but they shared a look. Turning back to me as Abram took the plates in, she spoke in a calm tone.

“Yes, I also work in the family business, just not like my brothers.” Abram returned with some fresh juice. She continued as he sat down. “Their kind of business requires fewer brain cells.”

“Hey, that’s not fair. It’s an insult to us,” Abram added, puffing up his mouth and folding his arms across his chest.

Tasha laughed as she leaned towards him. Punching him lightly on the shoulder. “You know I’m joking,” she said teasingly.

They were so at peace with each other. I felt jealous as I had never had any relationship like theirs. Clearing my throat, I spoke again. “So, what exactly do you do then if it is better than running your own show?”

“Well,” Tasha replied, leaning towards me. “I work in the office and do all the hard work.” Tasha glanced over her shoulder at Abram, who was sticking out his tongue.

Grinning, she continued. “I delve into information. I find out what clients or people are hiding and unlock the things behind the scenes. My job ensures that everyone stays safe.”

I could see she was proud of what she did and loved it.

“Yeah, sis,” Abram interrupted. “You can do things that we can’t and don’t even fully understand most of the time. You should be proud and confident. You are the glue of this family.”

Tasha leaned sideways, grinning from ear to ear as she spoke. “Abram, you are just as important. I don’t know what I would do without you. You have a lot to be proud of.”

I watched in awe as the two smiled and winked at each other. “It’s so nice to see you two so close and that you put family first,” I blurted out before I could help myself.

Tasha turned to me with a questioning look on her face as she spoke. “Come on, you probably have close relations with members of your family as well.”

Looking down into my lap at my fingers twirling around each other, I bit back the tears. I swallowed hard as I fought with them. Feeling a small hand on my shoulder, I looked up. I didn’t even hear her getting up. Tasha stood beside me, squeezing my shoulder and smiling.

“I’m sorry if I said something to upset you. I didn’t mean to sound harsh,” she said softly. I could see the compassion in her eyes; she truly meant what she was saying. This made my heart break even more. Here was a stranger showing me more love than my family ever did.

“No, no,” I replied, trying my best to contain my emotions. “You have said nothing wrong. My childhood has just been very different to yours.”

“You did have a family?” Tasha asked warily. “You had people who you spent time with right? You shared a meal, watched a movie, or just hung out.”

Swallowing the increasing ball of spit forming in my throat, I glanced back at my hands as I spoke. “After my parents died, I went to live with my cousins. They had their own lives and was much older than me. I mostly spent my days keeping my head down and out of trouble.”

Tasha sighed as she pulled her chair closer and sat down beside me. “I’m so sorry. What were your parents’ names?

This was an odd question, but I didn’t have the strength to hide anything. Besides, what was she going to do knowing who my parents were? They didn’t share their last name with my cousins.

“Bill and Emma Spieling,” I said. As the words left my lips, I wondered if our last name was real, seeing that none of my family members shared it.

“Well,” Tasha said, rubbing my back. “I’m sure you still have some memories of them. You have surely done things together as a family.”

Thinking back, I felt my mood changing slightly. “Oh, yes,” I said, smiling at her through my tears. I felt the warm salty tears running down my cheeks but didn’t care anymore. “There were some amazing times.”

Tasha pulled me close and gave me a quick hug. “There,” she said in a light tone. “You do have memories.”

Laughing, I suddenly felt a little silly for feeling so down. “I wish they never died,” I added.

“You have memories. You should always keep those with you. Never forget them or allow others to destroy them for you,” Tasha added, squeezing my arm lightly.

Smiling at her, I nodded. She was so easy to talk to once I got to know her a little. It felt like we were sisters. I felt glad that I asked Abram if I could meet her. Even though she was highly inquisitive, she was a joy to be around.

“Well, well, well…,” Tasha said, smiling broadly at me. Without turning her face, she spoke to Abram. “Brother, you must do something about this.” Winking at me, she turned to face him and continued. “You will have to surprise her with something.”

Tasha leaned forward, tapping his knee as she whispered. “A woman has to know she is appreciated, you know?” Abram grinned as he nodded in reply.

“No, there is no need, please,” I added, feeling my cheeks heating up.

“Oh, please, don’t know me,” Tasha said, turning back to me. “I know you want it, so just let this one be.”

Smiling at her, I nodded in agreement. I would love something special, but I didn’t expect it. I was used to my birthday being just another day.

Tasha gave us a low bow as she rose. “This has been fun. But I have to get going. There is still some work to be done.”

Abram got up and pulled her into a quick hug as he spoke. “Thank you for coming. We must do it again soon.”

Getting up, I wanted to respond but wasn’t sure what to say. “Thank you,” I mumbled, glancing at my feet.

“Come here,” Tasha added as she pulled me into a hug. “I had fun with you and look forward to getting to know you better.”

Abram walked with us back through the house and out to Tasha’s bike. “See you soon, and keep safe,” she uttered, pulling on her helmet.

Abram nodded and pulled me closer. We stood side by side, watching Tasha start her bike and drive off. “I have some work to get done as well,” he added as we headed in. “I will see you at supper.”

He kissed my cheek as the door closed behind us and went upstairs. I collected the book I left outside and sat in the library reading. Heading to change for supper, I hear my phone going off again. I knew it was my cousin even before I checked it.

‘We need intel now!’ the message said. Sighing, I wondered how I was going to explain everything that was happening. ‘I met his sister today. Tasha seems to be the brains of most operations.’

After sending the message, I regretted it. But there was nothing I could do about it. ‘We need more, this means nothing to us,’ Vadik responded.

‘Give me more time, I am working on it,’ I sent back and put my phone on silence. I didn’t want to talk to him anymore.