Page 22 of Arranged Bratva Virgin

Without another thought I grab my handbag and go off to find the driver.

I just need to remember what his name was. Damn. I met so many of the house staff this morning, I had around twenty different names thrown at me. I am very respectful of the people who work in my home, and I would hate to have any of them thinking badly of me on the first day.

Was it Mika, Michael, Mikael—

Walking into the living room area, I hurry over to the one person who I definitely remember, because his name is the same as my brother's. “Max, sorry, I forgot the drivers name—"

“Mikael. Would you like me to call him for you, Ms. Napoli?”

Ms. Napoli. What—oh, right. That is me.

“Yes, please. Thanks so much.”

I wait around at the front door for Mikael to bring the car around.

I’m actually excited to go roaming around a little on my own. I needed this more than I thought I did.

I guess with the past week being complete chaos—wedding planning, everything leading up to the wedding, and then everything that has happened since the wedding—I haven’t really had a moment to clear my head.

Mikael holds the door open for me, smiling politely, and I climb into the back.

“Where would you like to go, Ms. Napoli?”

“Please, call me Darya. The mall. Thanks.”

“Alright, Darya.”

I am not used to being called Ms. Napoli yet. I don’t know if I ever will be.

The car pulls away from the house.

I jump in fright as the door is pulled open and Stefano leaps into the back seat next to me. What the hell is he doing?

“What are you doing?” I ask with tension in my voice.

“What are you doing?” he demands, his amber eyes piercing into me.

“I’m going shopping.” I scrunch my eyes in frustration. Why in the world is he in this car right now?

“You are not going shopping.”

I snort an indignant laugh.

“Actually, I am going shopping. You can get out of the car,” I snap back at him.

“Why the hell would you be going shopping by yourself?”

“Because that is how I usually go shopping, unless one of my girlfriends feels like joining me, but I don’t see what the issue is right now?”

“It’s dangerous. You are being stupid.”

“Stupid? For going shopping. Something so normal and something I have done hundreds of times?” I am so confused and so annoyed right now. Does he have to make everything this complicated? I shift further away from him in the back seat and pull my mouth tight.

“After someone tried to shoot us last night, you're just going to head out to the mall on your own? Do you have any idea what might happen to you? And you didn’t even bother letting me know you were leaving the house.” He is furious. I am stunned to realize just how angry he actually is. I mean, I suppose I could have at least let him know I was leaving, but I am not used to being in a relationship, and I really didn’t think he cared.

“What is the problem, Stefano? I have been shopping quite safely all my life without your help."

“I am coming with you,” he says, folding his massive arms across his broad chest.

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