Page 46 of The Bratva Enforcer and His Virgin Bride

“It doesn’t,” she agrees.

That surprises me.

She squeezes my hand. “But right and safe don’t always show up together in this world.”

I look down at our joined hands.

My voice drops. “So what am I supposed to do?”

Valeria is quiet for a moment. Then she says gently, “Survive the next step first.”

I look up at her. “And then?”

Her expression softens. “Then we figure out the rest together.” She exhales, like she’s trying to decide how to say the next part without making it worse. “Now…do you want the good news or the bad news?”

I let out a tired groan, leaning back against the couch. “Can there be any more bad news?”

Valeria gives me a look.

Then she laughs.

It’s small at first—almost reluctant—but it breaks through the heaviness in the room anyway.

“Oh, Sofi,” she says, shaking her head. “There’s always more bad news in this world. You just haven’t met enough of it yet.”

I don’t find that funny at all.

“So?” I press weakly. “What is it?”

She sighs. “Bad news is… the wedding is in two days.”

I freeze. “…Two days?”

She nods.

My stomach drops again so fast I feel it in my toes.

“That’s insane,” I exclaim. “That’s not a wedding. That’s a—a—I don’t know. Does that even happen? People don’t just—I don’t even—”

“I know,” she says gently.

I stare at her.

“Two days,” I repeat, like saying it again will make it make sense.

Valeria shrugs. “That’s how it works in their world when decisions are already made.”

I go quiet for a second.

Then I sit forward again, voice sharp with disbelief.

“And the good news?” I ask. “Because I’m really struggling to see how anything in this situation counts as good news.”

Her lips twitch. “Oh, there is good news.”

I narrow my eyes. “Go on.”

She leans back a little, suddenly looking way too pleased with herself. “You have Lukyan’s card.”