Chapter 6Taara“Stefan wishes to see you.” One of the men watching over us puts his phone away after answering it, addressing both me and Caroline. It almost felt normal there for a little while, the two of us visiting like sisters. I’m surprised to see it’s been several hours, and it’s now nearly early afternoon. I almost forgot I was prisoner to Stefan.
I’ve never had a sister, or a sibling of any kind, and I’ve been turning over what Caroline said to me.
The women of the Bratva stand together.
“Oh?” Caroline asks. She finishes the remainder of the tea in her cup before placing it on a saucer, clearly in no rush. I do the same, then follow her lead when she gets to her feet. “Does he wish to see both of us?”
The guy, clean-shaven and young, nods. He looks like they recruited him straight out of high school. “Both of you.”
Caroline smiles at me. “Very well then. Let’s go.”
I grit my teeth when the guards flank either side of me, though they allow Caroline to walk unencumbered.
“Am I really this much of a threat I need these guys watching me?” I say, not bothering to temper my voice. “Honestly, Caroline, his arm’s as big as my thigh. I couldn’t possibly hurt anyone. I can barely open a jar of pickles without asking Stefan for help.”
Caroline smiles sadly. “It isn’t your physical threat they wish to prevent, Taara.”
I sigh. I know why I pose a threat, and it angers me that they don’t believe I won’t betray them.
“Remember,” she whispers in my ear. “Prove your loyalty and this all goes away.”
“In here,” one says, gesturing to one of the doorways that leads to the dining room. I follow, my stomach gnawing with hunger when I smell something savory and pungent wafting in the air. My unease resurfaces when I see Tomas, Nicolai, and Stefan all sitting at the table. Large, muscled, tattooed, and stern, they’re a formidable trio. They stop talking and look up when we enter the room.
Tomas smiles broadly and gestures for Caroline to come to him. She crosses the room with her head held high, regal and powerful. I want to be like her someday. Fearless and undaunted by her exacting husband, dedicated to loyalty for both her fellow sisters of the Bratva as well the brotherhood. Unencumbered with a past that haunts her.
But before I can even begin to think of such things, I need to convince Stefan I am not a threat. I’m not sure I’m a “woman of the Bratva” as Caroline says. Yet.
Tomas stands, folds his napkin and places it on the table, then pulls a chair out for Caroline. Stefan pulls a chair out beside him as well, but instead of his gesture being chivalrous, it’s a sharp command. “Sit,” he barks. “And do not speak unless you are spoken to first.” I hate that she’s a welcome guest and I’m the prisoner shrouded in shame.
The tone of his voice stings, re-opening the wounds he inflicted earlier with his cruelty. I swallow hard, vacillating between the desire to either cry or tell him to fuck the hell off. Caroline has told me what I need to do. Every action I take will be to serve that purpose. So, when he points, I sit. I keep my hands obediently tucked onto my lap and don’t speak, even when large tureens of soup are placed on the table beside baskets of fresh, fragrant bread.
Caroline helps herself to a large bowl of soup and a roll, then looks questioningly to Stefan and me while she butters her bread.
“You may eat,” he says to me with a frown. He takes a set of keys out and unfastens my cuffs but warns me. “You stay right here under my watch, and you may continue to have your cuffs off for the remainder of this meal.”
“I hardly see her daring to do something stupid in front of all of you,” Caroline says pleasantly. “Stefan, though I’m not a member of your Bratva, I promise you my allegiance. Do you trust me?”
Tomas watches her through narrowed eyes, and Stefan sighs. “You aren’t the one I distrust, Caroline.”
“Then listen to me. I’m a good judge of character. I think it’s one of my finer traits, to be honest.” She smiles. “And I’m telling you that Taara not only doesn’t pose a threat to you but has the potential of being one of your biggest allies.”
I could hug her.
“While I appreciate your vote of confidence, Taara will have to prove that with her actions,” Stefan responds.
I stifle myself from letting out an angry breath just in time and bite my cheeks. The insides of my cheeks will bleed before I let my tongue get the better of me. I merely nod to her to thank her.