Page 30 of Secret Bratva Twins

I flushed, lowering my head with shame and scratching the back of my neck. “I’m really sorry, we should have cleaned up after ourselves.”

We were both too heated and exhausted that we just went upstairs for a shower. Either way, Ms. Popov should’ve never had to clean that up. “It won’t happen again.”

She rolled her eyes. “I hope it doesn’t, child.” She turned around and returned to her cooking. “Have you two finally decided to stop being so stubborn and embrace your feelings for each other?”

“It was just sex, nothing serious,” I said in our defense. Ms. Popov was from an older generation, so she most likely equated sex to love. “Look, Ms. Popov. I’m deeply attracted to Maxim. I love being around him, and I miss him when he’s not home. I like him, but that doesn’t mean I’m in love with him.”

She drew a sigh. “Sounds to me like you’re just in denial.”

I didn’t like that narrative, and it would make me very uncomfortable if she translated all my actions as me loving Maxim. “I’m serious. I’m not in denial.”

She made a sound like she didn’t believe me.

“Come on, Ms. Popov, don’t do that. I really don’t love him.”

“Yeah, whatever.” She spun around with a smile. “Coffee?”

I pouted and nodded. “Yes, please.” I’d given up trying to convince her there was nothing emotional between…

You’re mine, Gianna—all mine.

I blushed. That had sounded too intimate. Did he think he owned me just because we had sex? If so, then I needed to handle it somehow. Different scenarios popped up in my head on how to handle Maxim, I giggled at the one where I had to cuff him to a bed and take his pants off.

Ms. Popov tsked as she set my cup of coffee in front of me. “Look at you blushing and daydreaming.”

I touched my cheeks, it was burning. “I think I’m losing my mind, Ms. Popov.”

She bopped my nose. “I’ve never considered you sane, dear. Only a mad woman will try to kill a man like Maxim.”

I grabbed my coffee and nodded. That was it, I was officially a madwoman. “Thanks for the coffee.”

I heard the front door open and close, then footsteps and female voices that I immediately recognized.

“Ms. Popov is making breakfast,” Giselle said. “Let’s stop at the kitchen first. Gianna might be there.”

A grin spread on my face instantly, and I twisted to the door with sheer delight. It looked like I wouldn’t be alone and bored today. “Good morning, ladies.”

Their faces lit up when they saw me.

Lilianna was the first to comment, “You’re glowing today. Did you get used to being held captive?”

I huffed out a chuckle. “Since I can’t escape, I might as well live with it.”

Mariana sat down beside me and narrowed her eyes. “You’re wearing Maxim’s PJ. He never lets anyone wear his stuff, even his brothers.”

“He let me borrow his clothes the morning after he kidnapped me,” I said defensively.

Giselle pointed at me. “That was also suspicious. Maxim will never do that. Spit it out, did you two…”

I rolled my lips between my teeth and pushed my hair back. I didn’t need to say it, I was pretty sure my actions gave it away.

“So you two really had sex?” Lilianna yelped, throwing a hand over her mouth. “Does that mean you’ll soon become a part of the family?”

My stomach flipped at the suggestion. I didn’t hate the idea, but I also didn’t want to get ahead of myself. “As if Maxim would want that.” I’d be lying if I said I told them I didn’t want to, it was easier using him as a shield.

“I know Maxim is not that kind of guy,” Mariana started, and all heads turned toward her. You wanted it too, right?”

Was she…she was concerned for me, worried that Max may have forced himself on me because I was his prisoner. I quickly threw my hand up. “He didn’t do anything wrong. I wanted it. I actually wanted it for some time now.”

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