Page 34 of Arranged Bratva Virgin

“Stef, you should not have to pay for that man’s shit. Just ask my brothers for help. They will resolve this quickly and you won’t ever hear from that idiot, Marco, again.”

“Darya, your brothers already have too much power over me. I don’t want to owe them any more than I already do. I don’t like to be indebted to anyone.”

Her eyes shoot wide as though what I have just said is absolutely ridiculous. “Stef, that isn’t how it is at all—my brothers don’t see it that way. It’s not a power struggle. That’s just—"

“Oh shit.” I completely forgot.

“What?”

“I have a meeting set up with them late this afternoon. What is the time now?”

She glances at her watch.

“Four-thirty.”

“We have to go. Let me just chat to the guys here, make sure they have everything, and then we really have to get going.”

She nods, putting down her half-eaten burger and following me to finish up some final things. In the bathroom, I splash some water on my face, wash my hands and try to freshen up as best I can.

In the office, I grab a fresh shirt from the closet and a long-sleeved cotton top for Darya, as that is all I have to offer her. Both of our tops are dirty with blood from helping the injured men, and I would rather we didn’t arrive at the meeting looking like a wreck.

She takes the fresh top from me and pulls off her dirty one. My eyes lock on the delicate blue lace bra she is wearing. My entire body ignites at the sight of her.

She pulls the top over her head and rolls the sleeves a little, then tucks the edge into her jeans. She looks fresh and beautiful. I don’t know how she does it. She looks amazing in anything.

When we are ready, we grab our belongings and rush to the car.

I hate being late, and I especially do not want to be late for a meeting with the Dubrov brothers.

In the car, the tension we had this morning is gone. It has been replaced by a different kind of tension. A charge to the air. I reach out and run my hand over her thigh.

“You really are special,” I say gently.

Her cheeks flush red and the soft smile that crosses her lips makes me realize how vulnerable I just sounded. I clear my throat loudly and put my hand back on the steering wheel.

I am not used to letting my guard down in any way for anyone.

Chapter 12 - Darya

We arrive at Kiril’s house, and Stefano leads me hand-in-hand up to the front door.

For a moment in the car he seemed so soft and genuine, but then just a second later the stern walls were back up, his expression closed off, and I was left thinking I had imagined his gentleness.

I don’t understand why he is so reluctant to ask for help from my brothers. We are family now, even more than before—he is my husband, and my family is always, always there for each other. I know they aren’t holding it against him or of the mindset that he owes them anything.

They aren’t like that, and I don’t know why he seems to think they are.

We walk in, warmly greeted by everyone, and then take our seats at the dining room table.

My brothers are chatting away about business and schedules and shipments for the upcoming week.

Stef is quiet this evening, withdrawn even, and I know he must be really worried about what happened at his warehouse and to his workers.

I so badly want to talk about it, but I don’t want to upset him.

I understand pride.

I know it is the main reason he is reluctant to ask for help.

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