Page 96 of Married to My Sis’s Bratva Fiancé

She looked like she hadn't expected me to agree that fast. Her mouth loosened for half a second.

"Of course I don't want you here. And from now on, don't follow me."

My chest locked up.

The old me would've pulled out a polished excuse, used "danger" to steal her right to say no.

I just looked at her. No argument.

"Got it."

I started the car and drove off under her stare.

In the rearview, she stood where she was. No wave. No second glance.

I really did drive three miles.

Then my plainclothes guy called.

"Sir, she packed up and headed north to the old docks."

"That isn't the spot."

"No. It's remote. Signal's garbage. If we get closer, she'll catch it."

I tightened my grip. At the next intersection, a right turn took me back to the city. A left turn took me to the docks.

She'd just told me not to follow her. I'd heard every word.

The blinker clicked three times.

I turned left.

It was crossing a line. A grown man was supposed to take a woman's no and live with it, not turn worry into another set of cuffs.

But the old docks had seen robberies. Matteo's people were still moving around the city. If I let something happen to her, all that "respect" would amount to a pretty tombstone.

I sent two guys to hold the road exit and cut in on foot through an abandoned path. Wet mud sucked at my shoes. I hadn't had to hide from a woman's eyes in years.

The slap of river water against rotten pilings grew louder.

Then a young man laughed.

"Come on, sweetheart. Don't be like that. We just wanna see what you painted."

A second voice, thick with booze, followed. "Maybe she can paint us. Naked. How 'bout that?"

Blood rushed into my ears.

I shoved through the last curtain of brush.

Elena stood at her easel with the river behind her. Three men circled her, empty beer cans rolling at their feet. The closest one was flushed red, his hand reaching for her canvas.

She threw up an arm. "Don't touch me!"

"Relax." He grabbed her wrist. "We're friendly."

"She told you not to touch her."