Page 15 of Bratva Warriors 4
Chapter Eight
Briar hurried downthe hall.
Artem rushed to catch up with her.Grabbing her arm, he turned her around.
Tears filled her eyes but she bit at her lip to keep them from falling.
Artem saw how upset she was, so he took her hand and led her to their room.Once they were inside, he shut the door.He sat her down on the sofa and said, “Let me get you some water.”He rushed to the kitchen then came back.
She took the cap off and drank the whole bottle down.
He smiled and shook his head.“You worked up a thirst.You were out for a long time today.”
“I had to be.”
He took the empty bottle and set it on the side table.Sitting next to her he turned and took her hands into his.“I need you to stop.”
Briar looked over at him.“Stop?”
Nodding, he went on.“I am not ordering you or bossing you.I would never do that.But you never think about how I worry and how I would feel if something happened to you.”
Briar stared at him and did not reply.
He went on before he lost the nerve to say what he needed, “I am in love with you.This, I think you know.I have told you but now I say it again.I.Love.You.Briar.”
She smiled at him as her tears faded.“And I love you, Artem.”
He took a deep breath and went on, “Lucky me.So, I wish to ask if you would...I mean wouldn’t...”He sighed and reached up to run his fingers through his hair.
“Artem...why are you so upset?”
He again grabbed her hands.“I wish for you to be safe.You are always out, even after dark, in the worst parts of the city.And I know you can take care of yourself, but...”He looked away.“As a man in love with you...”He looked back at her.“I need you to be safe, do you understand?”
Nodding, she stared at him.“I was thinking of helping at the shelters.It would be a great job.I live here with you and we do not need much money so...”
He smiled in relief.“I make a good salary here too.I think that is a wonderful idea.You already know most of them.Sergi has a foundation for that.Did you know this?”
She nodded.“I heard but I have no idea what that is about.I just meant that I would volunteer.”
“Da, I knew you meant that.This is such a relief!”
Staring at him, she asked, “It is?”
