Page 31 of Forced & Owned By the Bratva Boss

The man startles, immediately pulling his hands back. “Sir, I have to examine—”

“I said watch it,” I bark. I’m definitely overreacting, but seeing her in pain feels like a stab to my heart.

I’ve killed many men. I’d never hurt a woman, but I’ve seen countless ones get hurt, and none of them have ever made me feel so protective.

The medic’s throat bobs. “I’ll be careful.”

Audrey lifts her head, her eyes finding mine. They’re glassy from pain, but somehow she still manages to glare at me.

“How are you feeling?”

She smiles weakly. “I’ve had worse.”

I don’t smile back. “No, you haven’t.”

She’s trying to be brave. Trying to convince herself the pain isn’t as bad as it is, or maybe she’s simply refusing to give me the satisfaction of seeing her break.

Either way, I hate seeing her in this much pain.

“You got hurt because of me. I’m sorry.”

Her eyes widen, her jaw dropping open. “What?”

I swallow hard. I’ve never said those words to anyone before, not even the pakhan. Even I am surprised at how easily they roll off my tongue. “I’m sorry.”

She just blinks at me for a moment, clearly confused. “Well, this wasn’t really your fault.” She pauses and winces. “Anyway, I wonder how you’re going to make up for this.”

“Name what you want. Anything at all and I’ll do it. Just don’t ask me to divorce you,” I add quickly. “Because that’s not an option.”

Her smile grows wider. I would smile back if I couldn’t see the pain hidden beneath it. “I’ll have to think of something. Don’t blame me if I ask you for a mansion or a Rolls-Royce.”

“All you need to do is ask, and it’s yours.” I mean it. I’d buy her anything she asks for.

“And what if it’s your heart I want?”

The question hits harder than it should.

I could give her anything. A façade of happy marriage. Sex. Kids. Money. Protection. It’s true we have insane chemistry, which I believe she confused for love when she confessed her feelings a year ago.

But my heart is off-limits.

It’s the only thing I can’t give her.

“Choose something else.”

***

Audrey’s asleep by the time we get home. I carry her up to our bedroom, careful not to wake her up.

She stirs in her sleep as I put her down, and a smile pulls the corner of my lips when her thick, dark lashes flutter. Some of her loose, brown hair falls over her face, and I tuck it behind her ear.

God, she’s beautiful, even when she sleeps.

Even after a traumatic night.

I’m going to find whoever was behind this, and I’m going to make him wish he never pulled this stupid ass plan on me tonight.

It’s only after I throw the covers on Audrey and press a kiss to the top of her head that the wound in my side starts throbbing, probably due to the adrenaline fading away now that we’re both safe.