Page 33 of Devil's Bride

Fucking hell.

If someone had told me I would ever find a possessive man attractive, I would probably roll my eyes and wave them off. This man in front of me could even take away my basic human rights and I’d still find him so goddamn sexy.

I don’t admit how hot the possessive side of him is, of course. I have a self-esteem to protect. “I’m not property, Alexei Vadim. I’m mine, and mine alone.”

His eyes twinkle with mischievous intent, his lips curling into a smile. “Is it fun going against me at every turn, Mrs. Vadim?”

My spine steels, and a wave of static ripples through me.

Mrs. Vadim.

That is who I am now. I haven’t gotten used to that yet. In fact, I’d despised the idea of it, but hearing him say it makes my stomach flutter.

He must’ve noticed my cheeks turn red because his smile widens. He steps back, but his eyes don’t leave me. “I see you like the name.”

I like it. I shouldn’t, but I do. “Volkov sounds better.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t agree.”

“Not my business.” I grab my purse before my body gets a chance to react to him in other insane ways. “That reminds me, your brothers are joining us for dinner.”

Alexei blinks.

I’m not sure he heard me so I repeat myself. “Mikhail and Nikolai will be joining us for dinner. I didn’t know how to get to hold of Nicolai, so I asked Mikhail to pass on the invitation.”

“And did Mikhail agree?”

I nod. “I didn’t need to convince him. He jumped at the offer.”

His throat moves as he swallows and my eyes are riveted. “Wow!”

I scrutinize him. I don’t know what to make of his reaction. “Don’t tell me you guys haven’t had dinner together before.”

“We have, but only when absolutely necessary.” He pauses, clears his throat, and then he looks at me as if I just did something idiotic. “Don’t get me wrong, my brothers and I love each other. We just show it in ways that don’t really involve dinner or playing games together.”

“Let me guess, taking bullets for each other?” Given their personality, and the environment they grew up in, it makes the most sense that their love language would include violence.

Alexei doesn’t deny it, his eyes become cloudy. “Pretty much.”

I feel a tug in my chest. It’s hard to tell if it’s sadness or pity, maybe it’s both. “Well, I think it’s time for a change. I’ll freshen up, and maybe we can make plans for dinner together.”

“You can cook?”

I laugh. “No. I almost burned down the house last time I tried to grill some bacon. What I mean is, we can choose what food Nina prepares.”

“Sounds okay to me.”

I wink at me, and smile. “Perfect! I’ll be out soon.”

He nods. “Irina?”

I lift a brow, waiting for him to say something.

“Thank you,” he whispers.

***

“Do you have a death wish?”

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