Page 57 of Caught By the Bratva Boss

“I see,” Greg took a step forward, and I whirled around, holding the sweater on its velvet hanger out like it was a weapon I could use to defend myself. Greg glanced down at it and froze.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Lily. What happened yesterday.” He shook his head. “I lost control of my emotions, and it will never happen again. You have to believe that I’m sorry.” His fingers grazed against my arm. “I love you. We need each other.”

Wasn’t that what all abusers said? They were always sorry. They always said it would never happen again, and then it always did.

“It’s ok,” I whispered and forced myself to smile. “I know.” Except I didn’t know, but I didn’t know how to escape this situation either. It wasn’t like I had anywhere else to go.

“You’re going to need to cover those marks. We don’t want anyone to see them, do we?”

My eyes flicked towards him. He didn’t care about me. He just didn’t want anyone to know what he was and what he had done. I’d always loved Greg. But these last few weeks and months, it was like I was seeing him for what he really was. And I didnt like what I was seeing.

When had he changed? Or had he always been this way, and I had just been too blind to see it?

“I will make sure they are covered. Don’t worry.”

He stepped into me so quickly that I didn’t have a chance to do more than flinch back when he reached for my cheek, pressing his thumb against the bruise that went the length of my jaw.

“I’m not worried about me, Lily. I’m worried about you. Your reputation is—“ he shook his head. “Well, I’ll let you get ready. It’s going to take some time to make yourself presentable. Make sure you don’t mess anything else up today.”

He walked away, and I couldn’t do anything but stare after him. Asshole. Greg was an asshole. How dare he blame me for any of this?

Shaking my head, I turned back to the mirror and stared at my reflection. It wasn’t just the bruises that were making me look bad. My skin was pale and blotchy. My eyes were bloodshot and red from crying. Despair was written all over me.

Sighing, I sat at the small vanity and reached for the thick concealer I never wore and began to smear it on my face.

I didn’t know what to do now, but whatever I chose, I would need to go to work to fund it.

I swiped my key card for the sixth time, and again, the light flashed red instead of green. I knew that sometimes technology glitched, but it had never done this to me. I was in the foyer on the ground floor, and a steady line of people trying to get into the office had formed behind me. More than one of them grumbled.

Sighing, I turned, one hand clutching my key card and the other one securing the silk scarf around my throat more securely, where it had come loose.

“Hi.” I caught the attention of one of the receptionists. “My card seems to be malfunctioning. Can you reset it, please?”

She took it from me without a word, her nails tapped away on the keyboard furiously.

“I’m sorry, Miss Ridgeway.” She finally looked at me. “Your access has been revoked.”

I swallowed hard. Revoked?

“What?” I stuttered.

“If you email your department head, then I am sure you can sort this all out.” Her eyes filled with something that looked like sympathy.

I’d been fired. That’s what this was all about. I couldn’t email my head of department because my boss was Daniil, and he was done with me.

Blinking rapidly, I forced myself to smile. “Ok, thanks.”

I would not cry. I would not cry. I told myself over and over again as I walked away.

Yesterday, when Daniil had dismissed me, I hadn’t thought in a million years that he would sack me as well.

I needed this job. Hell, I loved my job. Even if it meant going back to—

“Lily.”

I turned to find Anya there. Her chair was being pushed by a man in an expensive suit and a pensive look on his face.

“Hi.” Nervously, I walked over to her. Noting the look of utter relief on her face as I approached. The look didn’t stay on her face for long. The closer I got, the more worried she looked.