Chapter 6

“See these bushes? They’re hydrangeas. They’re one of my favorites in the entire garden,” Elena says, gently touching the shrub, which is just beginning to bud. “The color of the blooms change depending on the pH of the soil. It’s fascinating, really.”

“I had no idea flowers could do that,” I respond, genuinely intrigued.

Elena nods, her eyes bright with passion for the subject. “Oh, yes. The garden is full of little surprises like that. Come, see the hibiscus.”

She leads me to another raised bed. “These will produce beautiful pink flowers that attract butterflies. The individual blooms don’t last long, but when they flower, they’re breathtaking.”

I gaze at the plant, trying to picture it in bloom. “I’m sure they’re stunning,” I say softly.

Elena smiles, pleased. “I’m glad you like them. This garden is a bit of a sanctuary for me. I come here often to escape from daily pressures.”

I listen intently as Elena continues to explain each plant we pass and describe its intricacies. Her enthusiasm for the garden is evident in her every word. But as much as I try to focus on what she’s saying, my mind keeps drifting back to the events of last night.

Images involuntarily flood my mind. I picture Luk and his brothers—cold and merciless—extracting information from the man who tried to kill me. I imagine him being tortured and beaten to death. The thought of it is unsettling and a little overwhelming.

Suddenly, I freeze as dizziness envelops me. I feel like I might faint.

“Hey, are you okay?” Elena’s voice sounds like it’s coming from far away.

“It’s… I…” I can’t even form a coherent thought.

“Here. Come with me.”

Elena quickly guides me to a nearby bench situated in front of the fountain. I listen to the sound of the water, but it doesn’t calm me. I take a deep breath and try to steady my breathing.

Elena looks at me with concern. “Maura, what’s wrong? You seem preoccupied.”

I sigh and try to articulate what’s on my mind. “It’s everything. The wedding, the assassination attempt, this new life… it’s all a little much to take in.”

Elena nods with a look of understanding on her face. “I know it’s a lot. Anyone would feel overwhelmed in a similar situation.”

I shake my head, chastising myself. “I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much. I know what the world of Bratva is about. I’m not unaware of the violence it involves.”

Elena sits beside me and pats my hand. “It’s okay to be bothered by it, Maura. Just because you know about our world doesn’t mean it’s any easier to accept. It will take some time to process it, so don’t rush it.”

She reaches out and places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “But if it’s any consolation, remember that you’re surrounded by people who will go to great lengths to protect you. Luk, our brothers, and me. You’re part of this family now, and we take care of our own.”

Despite Elena’s reassuring words, I still feel a tightness in my chest, and panic takes hold of me.

My eyes brim with tears, and I feel a deep sense of shame at my inability to keep them at bay. “I’m sorry,” I say to Elena, my voice trembling. “I shouldn’t be crying. You must think I’m an emotional fool.”

To my surprise, Elena doesn’t dismiss my feelings or scold me for showing emotion. Instead, she gives me a knowing look and hands me a handkerchief. “It’s okay to be scared and confused, Maura. Your world changed overnight. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

Her kindness catches me off guard, and I accept the handkerchief, dabbing gently at my eyes. “I just feel so overwhelmed,” I admit.

Elena watches me silently and patiently as I struggle to compose myself.

Slowly, the tears begin to subside, and Elena says gently, “I understand. But you’ll get used to it.”

I nod, taking in her words.

“For now,” she continues, “just pay attention to what Luk says. He’s the head of the family, and he knows what he’s doing. And most importantly, never hide anything from him. In our world, secrets can be deadly. They can destroy trust, relationships, everything.”

“I understand,” I reply with a newfound determination. “No secrets.”

Elena nods in approval, her smile reassuring. “You’re stronger than you know, Maura. And you have a whole family here to support you. Remember that.”

She looks at me thoughtfully, gauging my state of mind. “Do you want to go back inside? Or maybe,” she suggests, glancing around the serene garden, “you should spend a little time out here by yourself. It’s quiet and peaceful. The garden always has a way of comforting me whenever I’m feeling lost.”

It’s a good suggestion. “That sounds nice,” I reply, feeling a sense of gratitude for her understanding.

Elena stands up, offering a final piece of support. “If you need anything, just find me,” she says with a warm smile.

“Thank you, Elena,” I say. “I really appreciate it.”

As she walks away, I take a deep breath, but because I still feel a bit shaky, I decide to remain in the garden for a while, hoping it will have the same calming effect on me that it has on Elena.

Before long, however, my mind turns to Luk.

The thought of seeing him again fills me with conflicting emotions. There’s not only the undeniable and intense physical attraction that I hadn’t anticipated, but there’s also a hesitancy, a reluctance to give in to the lust so easily. Although I understand what’s expected of me as a wife, I don’t want him to view me as a pushover, an easy lay. I want him to respect me, too, as an individual.

My fear is that I’ll open up to him too soon, and he’ll take advantage of my feelings. That could lead to my being hurt. And part of me wonders if I do share my emotions, concerns, and fears about being his wife that he won’t be able to or even try to understand. He is deeply entrenched in a world of violence and power. How can I expect him to comprehend the complexities of my heart?

As I sit in the quiet of the garden, I realize that these are questions only time can answer.