Page 55 of The Bratva Sinner

“I didn’t say it quite like that.”

“How did you say it?”

I wince as I replay the conversation in my head. “Pretty much exactly like that.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“I know.”

“She’s scared, alone, and traumatized. You just told her the only value she has is her virginity and that you want to take it away.”

“I was trying to figure out how to keep her safe. If she’s not a virgin, they have no reason to want her.”

Damien shakes his head again. “You fucked up. This marriage is over before it began. Probably for the best.”

“It’s not over.”

I head back to her room with every intention of making this right.

I knock softly. “Lila.”

“Fuck off.”

“Please. I need to apologize.”

“You already did.”

I lean my forehead against the door. “Please let me in.”

Silence. Then footsteps. The door opens a crack.

“What?” she asks coldly.

“Can I come in?”

She steps away from the door with her arms across her body. I’ll keep an eye on them in case she swings again.

I’ve charmed, manipulated, and persuaded countless people, but standing here in front of my wife, trying to find the right words, I’m completely lost.

“I’m sorry,” I start. “What I said… how I said it… it was wrong.”

“You think?”

“I wasn’t trying to...” I fight for the right words. “I didn’t mean that you’re only valuable as a virgin, or that I want to use you. That’s not… fuck, I’m making this worse.”

“Yeah, you are.”

I take a breath and try again. “You’re a beautiful woman. Smart. Strong. Capable. Your value has nothing to do with whether you’ve had sex. I was trying to figure out how to keep you safe, and it came out all wrong.”

“That was a terrible apology,” she says after a beat.

“I know, but I mean it. I’m sorry.”

She uncrosses her arms. “Thank you. That’s better.”

“I promise not to hound you. Your virginity is safe from me, from them, from everyone.”

“You can go now.”