Page 31 of The Bratva King's Twins

Ari could barely hold back his smug grin as he placed a hand against the small of my back and guided me closer to some of the horses. “Sure. Whatever you want.”

A bay mare with a white blaze on her face approached us curiously as she chewed on a mouthful of grass, tail swishing the flies away from her.

Holding a hand out, I could’ve died right there as she blew warm air against my palm before letting me stroke her soft muzzle.

“She’s beautiful,” I said, in complete awe of her and all the others grazing in the distance. We managed to catch the attention of some in the back, and a few more headed in our direction.

“I’m glad you like her,” Ari said, still smirking. “You’ll be able to visit as often as you like, so long as you have a driver.”

As nice as it sounded, I couldn’t help my confusion. “Are you sure? Wouldn’t it bother the owners?”

“Not at all,” he replied, unable to hold back his smugness as his dimples showed themselves. “We are the owners.”

Hardly able to process his words, I blinked back at him in complete shock. “What?”

Chuckling again, Ari nodded. “You heard me. Every horse and building on this property is yours. The farmhands have already been hired to take care of things when you’re not here, so you can swing by and ride or just visit with them whenever you want.”

As if those words melted what remained of my resistance, a new kind of warmth ran through me. That sheer happiness settled on my shoulders, and every bit of me was singing from how incredibly nice the gesture was.

I didn’t take Ari for a thoughtful man before, but he was certainly proving me wrong.

As that joy overtook me, I pressed myself against him and wrapped my arms around his midsection.

“Thank you, Ari,” I said, just above a whisper as I fought back the fresh emotions making my nose sting. “This is more than I could’ve asked for.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he hummed, returning the embrace with more warmth than I expected. When he pulled back, I took in his pleased smile as he kept his arm around my shoulder, surrounding me with that new comfort. “There should be more than enough tack for you in the stable. We can get one of these guys prepped now if you want.”

Grinning at him, I nodded. My heart could barely handle the combination of how handsome and at ease he looked doing something so generous for me, and knowing he trusted me enough to let me go without him if I wanted.

Together, we got ready in the stable as I sifted through the brand-new tack like a kid on Christmas morning, then walked the bay mare inside to put everything on her.

Ari watched as I handled it myself since I was used to going through the motions at the stable I used to visit. Once everything was done, I led her to the outdoor riding ring and climbed into the saddle.

The mare had the perfect temperament as I used the reins, giving her commands to test her skills. She did everything I asked of her, and it made me wonder how everything in Ari’s impromptu plan managed to work out so well.

I could only imagine that power and influence did a whole lot for him, and it certainly seemed to work in my favor now, too.

Even if my dad had money and tended to flex it whenever he wanted, I knew his wealth paled in comparison to the Levovs. An entire stable with horses, farmhands, and all the fixings likely didn’t make a dent.

Overjoyed as I did laps around the riding ring with the mare, getting a taste of that familiar feeling I loved so much, I felt completely at peace. I was comfortable and at home in the saddle, even if the horse was new to me.

Everything about it brought me a sense of security that made everything else feel easier to bear. Like I had been given the tools I needed to feel better about my new life.

Ari watched all the while as he leaned against the wooden fence perimeter, certainly proud of himself for how much of a hit it was. He seemed almost impressed by how quickly I got into the swing of things.

Eventually, I slowed the mare to a stop in front of where he stood. “It feels like it’s been ages since I rode last.”

“You’re a natural,” he complimented me, reaching out to give the horse a scratch on the nose. “You look regal up there.”

My cheeks warmed as I brushed him off bashfully. “If only you had seen me in my showing uniform.”

He cocked a brow at that, clearly interested. “Consider me intrigued.”

Smiling, I swung a leg around and slid out of the saddle, noticing that familiar ache in my thighs again. “Want to give it a try?”

As I walked around to face him, Ari shook his head. “That’s alright. I don’t mind staying on the ground.”

I couldn’t help but find his sheepishness funny as he obviously wasn’t fond of the idea, but at the same time, I wanted to see him out of his element for once.

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