Page 75 of The Bratva King's Claimed Bride

“Please, don’t lecture me,” I groan, walking past her and out of the office. I take the elevator to the lobby and head into the nearby bar. I sit at the bar and flag down the bartender, who recognizes me and hurries over.

“What will it be, sir?”

“Bottle of whiskey, something expensive. Put it on my suite’s tab.”

He brings the whiskey bottle and sets it in front of me with a shot glass. I pour a shot and down it.

I get through about four before someone sits beside me. I turn to look at Matvey, and he reaches for the bottle. “Tommy, give me a glass.”

The bartender brings a shot glass, and Matvey pours himself a shot before filling my glass. He raises his. “I miss her, too, Igor. Even when she was a pain in the ass.”

I clink my glass against his and sigh. “I know you meant well, and I should have handled it differently. I’m sorry I hit you.”

“It’s okay, I overstepped my mark.”

“What is this? Us reconciling? Are we going soft in our old age?” I smile and fill both our glasses.

“Probably. Arina has a way of doing that to you. Bringing out your soft protective side.” Matvey drains his glass. “But I can’t lose you down a bottle every single day. Business has to keep going, so maybe you should take a leave of absence. If you don’t trust me to run the business, then let Yvonne do it.”

“I trust you,” I say, looking at my little brother. “Even now, I trust you. That deal was bullshit, Matvey.”

“Yeah, well, at least I thought it was a foot in the door. But that Paulo guy seems like an arrogant dickhead anyway.” Matvey smiles and fills our glasses. “We’re going to get drunk if we keep this up.”

“I thought that was the plan,” I chuckle.

We fall silent for a while before I turn to Matvey. “Do you think I still stand a chance?”

“With what? Paulo?” Matvey asks confused.

“No, with Arina,” I groan. “Keep up. We’re talking about my love life now.”

Matvey pauses and fills our glasses. “I don’t know. From what you have said, she was pretty pissed at you.”

“Do you think I’ve lost her for good?” I ask quietly, playing with the glass in my hands.

“Maybe not,” he says. “Maybe there’s hope. I don’t know. I’ve never really fallen in love with anyone before. I don’t know what it’s like.”

“It’s fucking horrible, is what it’s like,” I say.

Chapter 25 - Arina

The days drag by, and my nausea is a continued reminder that I am carrying Igor’s child, which reminds me of Igor, which reminds me of how he lied to me and broke my heart.

I promised Kervyn I’d be strong, but I’m getting tired of hiding my miserableness from the family. I feel so guilty because they’re all trying to make it up to me that I grew up without them.

Today, we’re going to the art gallery and then out for lunch with all the sisters. I want to be excited because this is all I’ve ever dreamed about—a family to call my own. But now that I’m pregnant, I don’t know what to do. Do I tell them? What will they think of me carrying their enemy's child? What do I do when Igor finds out about the child? Will Kervyn be able to protect me from Igor then? Is this going to start a war?

These thoughts swirl around my head again and again, and the more I think about it, the more anxious I become. I feel like an emotional wreck.

I sit beside Penny, my spot at the table now, and wait for the servants to bring out breakfast.

Penny smiles at me. “Asher will be here after breakfast to pick us up.”

“Okay, I’m excited to see her new exhibit.”

“So am I,” she says. “She hasn’t given away any secrets.”

I smile as a bowl of oats is placed in front of me. I instantly think of Igor; it’s his favorite breakfast.

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