Page 57 of The Bratva Sinner

“Sure.”

“Why did you marry him?”

The question catches me off-guard. “That’s kind of personal.”

“Is it? Everyone’s talking about it anyway. Might as well hear it from you.”

I consider telling her to mind her business, but she sounds genuinely curious, not malicious.

“He offered me protection,” I say finally. “I needed it.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“And that’s it? You married him for protection?”

I look away. “That’s all it was supposed to be.”

“Supposed to be,” she repeats. “But it’s not?”

The truth is messy, and I’m not ready to acknowledge it. Just like other things I’ve locked up tight and refuse to think about. I’m in survival mode. I don’t have time for feelings.

Ava laughs softly. “You like him.”

“I barely know him.”

“Sometimes, that’s all it takes.”

I stretch out on my lounger, letting the sun warm my body.

“Can I askyousomething?” I borrow her words.

“Fair’s fair.”

“Why do you do it?” It’s probably a rude question, but I’ve been curious since I got here. “The... work.”

I expect her to be offended. Instead, she laughs.

“You mean why am I a prostitute?”

I wince at the word. “I wouldn’t have put it like that.”

“But that’s what you mean.” She doesn’t sound angry. “It’s okay. I know what I am. Although these days, we call ourselves sex workers.”

“I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m just curious. I want to understand. I’ve been down on my luck. Flat broke. But I could never do it.”

“You make it sound dirty.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Is it?” She sits up straighter. “I enjoy my work. I’m good at it. And it pays for medical school.”

I stare at her. “Medical school?”

“Yep. Second year. I’m going to be a doctor.” She grins at my reaction. “Surprised?”

“I just... I didn’t expect...”