Page 40 of Reclaimed By My Ex’s Bratva Brother

When the food came, he proved his assessment was right. Pumpkin cream soup and cheese pancakes disappeared from his plate. Briony told him to slow down. I thought about those brutal numbers in her file. The paperwork didn't give me much detail.

"Why do you owe so much?"

Her fork paused, then she speared a piece of smoked salmon. "My parents were in a car accident. Treatment cost a lot."

"They..."

She didn't look up. Just nodded once.

Rory slowed down too.

"It's better now." Briony put the fish in her mouth, swallowed, then continued. "My current salary covers the monthly loan and leaves a little extra. It's tight, but better than I expected."

No complaints. No asking for help. She talked about losing her parents, drowning in debt, and raising a kid like it was ordinary.

Something twisted in my gut.

I had the manager bring the checkbook. Tore off a check, wrote the amount, and pushed it toward her.

"I'll clear your debt."

She glanced at the check. Her brow furrowed immediately. "No."

"It's not a problem."

"It is for me." She pushed the check back. "Why would you help me? This has nothing to do with you."

Her refusal wasn't playing hard to get. That only made me want to shove that check into her hands more.

"Raising a kid alone is hard enough." I picked up my white wine, pushing down the protective instinct I had no business feeling. "Consider it compensation from me on Makar's behalf."

Honestly, I didn't know why I was doing this. Maybe because I couldn't stand watching my assistant struggle like this.

Even though I knew damn well I wasn't that kind.

"She does work hard." Rory chewed his pancake, words muffled. "Especially after her parents died."

Briony's fingers immediately tapped his head lightly.

"Rory, watch your mouth. Those were your parents too."

My glass stopped at my lips. What did she mean, his parents too? I knew it was a stupid question. I set down the glass, looking between them. Briony closed her eyes briefly, looking embarrassed.

"Sorry." Her voice softened. "Actually, Rory's my brother."

Rory put down his fork, meeting my eyes with stubborn defiance. "You're a Mr. Petrov too, same as that Human Volcano. I just didn't want Briony running into another bad man."

So that was it. Good kid. He was trying to protect his only family.

"Rory, you did well." I looked him in the eye. "You protected your sister."

Briony was clearly stunned. Rory's mouth lifted, then he quickly pressed it down.

Relief flooded my chest. Briony wasn't anyone's mother. Nothing bad had happened to her.

Good. The thought came too fast and too honest.

What the fuck was I so happy about? That the man I'd imagined didn't exist? Or that I could fuck her without complications?