Page 78 of Sinful Bride

It’s almost imperceptible to the untrained eye. The glint in the way he looks around, the way he moves, even the way he smiles. He’s standing here like a regular guy at the gym, talking about regular stuff.

But I’ve been in Pasha’s world long enough to figure out Arlo Fedorov is a dangerous man.

“If you run into our friends again, would you let my brother know?” Sofi asks him.

Arlo nods. “Of course. I already texted him when I got here. Your mother, too.”

I insert myself into the conversation. “Hey, while you’re mentioning everything you see, could you maybe… not mention seeing me here?”

He glances at Sofi. Then back at me.

I sigh. “I just want to do something for myself. As myself. On my own. Well…” I look to Sofi because credit is due. “… mostly on my own.”

He doesn’t think twice about it. Just shrugs and takes a swig from his water bottle. “I see no one here but Sofiya,” he says with a wink to me. “Women are allowed to live their own lives, you know. Have secrets. Be mischievous. It’s what makes you such fascinating creatures.”

As he saunters off to go do whatever it is that men like him do in their spare time, I can’t help but notice Sofi’s worried expression. “You okay?”

She shudders. “I’m not sure. Mama keeping secrets is one thing, but him saying it’s ‘fascinating’? It’s weird.”

“I think it’s sweet. And kinda fun to watch play out, not gonna lie.”

“For you.” She side-eyes me.

“She’s happy. He makes her happy.” I give her a gentle little nudge. “And I think he makes you happy, too. You just don’t want to admit it.”

“Okay. That’s it.” She gulps down some water, snaps her towel at me, then nods at the free weights. “I’m about to kick your ass.”

30

DAPHNE

“Are you sure about this?”

“Your family’s right. I’m climbing the walls at home.” I give my husband a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine. Really, I’m actually super excited to go to work for the first time in… ever?”

Pasha scoffs. “It’s no wonder. Now, you don’t have to deal with those two idiots.”

“Idioty.”

He lets out a sexy growl and tugs me over the center console for a kiss. “Keep talking like that and I won’t let you out of this car until the windows are fogged up.”

I’ve been practicing my Russian every chance I get, mostly because Pasha usually reacts like that. Sofi drills me on the basics during our workouts at the gym, which is now officially three times a week and mostly kickboxing. It’s forming a weird and slightly problematic mental connection between sex, exercise, and Cyrillic pronunciation structures, but that’s a problem for Future Daphne and my Future Therapist.

I’m getting help from other sources, too. Asya has been guiding me through family titles, terms of endearment, and recipes. Mak’s teaching me all the cuss words.

Little by little, I’m getting the hang of it.

“Before you go in,” Pasha says when I push him away while laughing and reach for the passenger door handle, “I have something for you.”

“Is it in your pants?” I tease with a waggle of my brows.

“Yes, but not what you think.” He slides a box from his coat pocket into my hand. “Here. Put this on.”

The dark plum velvet opens to reveal a stunning chain of brilliant gems set in white gold. Each stone is encircled by a loop of tiny diamonds, with the focal piece resembling an Evil Eye.

“I didn’t know you were superstitious.” I slip the chain onto my wrist and fumble with the clasp until he leans over to help me. “This is beautiful, by the way.”

“I’m not particularly superstitious. I’m more wanting you to remember which button to press when you’re in trouble.”

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