Page 18 of The Hunted Wife

Adam automatically went into protective mode and put himself between her and the man. “Millie? Who is that man?” he asked never taking his gaze from Viktor until he walked away.

She shook her head again. “I want to go home. Please. Take me home.”

Adam stepped back and placed his arm around Millie. “Okay. Let’s go.”

The walk to the truck was the longest of Millie’s life. She constantly looked around them for Viktor but hoped he’d left.

Once they were in the truck, and headed home, Millie broke down. “I’m so sorry, Adam. I’m sorry that my father sold me. I’d hoped that by finding the information on Ricard’s duplicity and theft, that he would rescind the order to marry him. That man, Viktor Kravchenko, works for the man my father sold me to. His name is Ricard Sokolov and he’s a powerful man in Bratva. My community’s version of the Mafia. My father is a Pakhan, or boss, and even more influential. Ricard is his second in command, a brigadier.

“Father thought that by giving me to Ricard in marriage, that it would cement their relationship and Ricard would have no reason to look elsewhere. I ran away, but not before I took something from Ricard. Now, it looks like Ricard has found me and I have to run again.”

By the time they reached the ranch, Millie had finished her story. She was shaking so badly all Adam could do was wrap her in his arms and hold her until she calmed.

“You’re not running. You’re safe here. I’ll make sure you are.”

She shook her head. “If Viktor is here that means Ricard is here. He won’t leave without me. I couldn’t bear it if you or one of your brothers were hurt because of me. Just let me go, Adam. It’s for the best.” Saying those words was devastating. Millie had never been as happy as she was now, living at the ranch.

“Millie.”

They still sat in the truck.

She shook her head and looked down at her lap.

“Millie. Look at me, please.”

She lifted her chin as it quivered. Her eyes, full of unshed tears, searched his gaze for understanding. “I know I should have told you, but to be fair, neither one of us went into our reasons for marrying, except for the very basic desire to have children. This man doesn’t stop. He doesn’t forget. He’ll keep coming, until he gets back what I stole and gets me as his bride. Once that happens he will find a way for me to disappear. And now that Viktor has seen me, I have to run…again. I can’t bring danger to you and your brothers. I have to leave.”

Adam, his eyes so blue, stared intently into her eyes and took her hand in his. “No. You have to stay. You’re my wife and I’m not letting you go. I’ll hire whoever I need to in order to for you to be safe.”

She stared at him, her brows furrowed and her heart beating harder. “You would do that? But why? We can divorce, and you can find another woman to marry.”

“I don’t want another woman. I want my wife. I want you. And what if you’re pregnant? Huh? Have you thought about that?”

Millie widened her eyes and immediately placed a hand on her stomach. Her shoulders slumped. “I didn’t think about that.” She turned her gaze up to meet his. “Do you really think it’s possible?” As much as I wanted a child, I didn’t know if I would ever have children.

Adam ran a hand through his hair. “Yes, it’s entirely possible. When will you know for sure?”

“Not for another couple of weeks. We should probably get a pregnancy test.”

“I’ll have one sent or get one of the brothers to go get one.”

She turned away and looked out the truck window at the ranch she’d started to love. “What am I going to do? He knows I’m here. I couldn’t bear it if any of your brothers or you are hurt.”

Adam took her by the shoulders and made her look at him. “He won’t. Trust me on this. I’ll bring in security people from all of our locations. We’ll be fine. I won’t take enough to put any location in danger, but together, we’ll have plenty of help here. And from now on, all of us will be armed. We don’t normally wear our guns unless we’re hunting or searching for strays, but now I think it’s a necessity until we can be sure this man is caught. Do you know how to shoot?”

She shook her head. “I’ve never had a reason to learn…until now.”

“I’ll teach you beginning tomorrow after breakfast. Now, are you feeling better? Ready to go in?”

“Yes. I’m ready.”

“Good. Let’s go inside. We need to tell the brothers about this man…this threat to all of us.”

“I’m so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I should have known I couldn’t be happy. He’ll never let me and I’m afraid even if we get rid of this man, my father will just sell me to another of his brigadiers.”

“He can’t sell you. It’s illegal. I won’t let him. You’re my wife and I won’t give you up. Let’s just go in. I’ll make you a cup of tea. You’ll feel better after that.”

Millie nodded. “I’m ready.” She stopped suddenly. “What if Viktor followed us home.”