Page 77 of Forced Bratva Bride

I pull my mouth to the side and glance over him, giving him a cold shrug. “I am with my father now,” I say, pretending to be disinterested.

“I haven’t seen you in days."He looks hurt, and even though I know he is going along with the charade, it breaks my heart.

“Perhaps later,” I say, waving a hand to dismiss him.

Later in the evening, Maxim approaches me again and we have a similar exchange.

When he leaves, my father chuckles. “That poor boy is smitten with you, sweetheart.”

“I told you, he'll be like butter in my hands,” I reply softly.

My father nods, satisfied, but I feel heavy and miserable. I want to talk to Maxim. I want a moment with him. Even just one.

Maxim’s eyes are on me from across the room. A small gesture points me in the direction of the house. Perhaps I can sneak inside and see him secretly, without anyone else noticing.

“Dad, I am just going to the ladies' room. I won’t be a moment.”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

I smile. Being the obedient daughter is taking its toll on me, but I can’t let my act slip.

I head into the house, and across the crowd of people, I see Maxim doing the same. My heart shivers with excitement at the idea of seeing him, alone, and being able to have his arms around me.

But as I step inside, I see my father’s guards are right behind me, keeping a close eye on me.

When I enter the house, Maxim is standing near the kitchen door. His eyes lock with mine again and I gesture, ever so slightly, at the two men behind me.

His reaction is so subtle that no one else would notice it but me. His mouth pulls tight, and the muscles of his jaw feather in agitation.

I walk past him to the bathroom. I cannot talk to him now, not with my father’s body guards so attentive to my movements.

After taking a moment in the bathroom, and a few very deep breaths, I head back out into the party with my father’s men following me.

Maxim is no longer inside, and I am grateful. I don’t want to cause any suspicion.

I return to my father’s side, the knot in my stomach is getting tighter.

“Is everything alright, sweetheart?”

I smile at my father. “Of course it is. Do you need another drink?”

“Stefano just stopped by to ask me if I needed one. He's getting it for me.”

“Oh good. I didn’t realize he was here.”

We continue our conversations with my father’s associates, and I wonder how many people my father has killed in his life. If he could kill my mother so easily, and then his second wife as well, I imagine that he had killed many times before that.

Stefano arrives with my father’s drink.

“Chiara. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were here. Did you want something to drink?” he says, dry and uninterested, as usual. I bite my lip. I don’t really want to ask him for anything, but if I'm going to survive tonight, I do need another drink.”

“Gin,” I say.

“Why don’t you join me? One of our biggest allies was just saying how beautiful you are, perhaps it is time you started thinking about finding another husband. You know, with everything that's happening.”

My father chuckles. “Perhaps he is right, sweetheart.”

“I guess it never hurts to make new connections. Dad, will you be alright here for a moment?”

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