Page 60 of The Bratva King's Claimed Bride

“You’re so thoughtful,” I say with a smile, and he looks away.

He leaves me at the entrance to the hallway where the bathrooms are, and I go into the ladies and go straight to the first available stall.

I put my handbag down and lean over the toilet. The pistachio ice cream isn’t as good the second time as the first, and my throat hurts from throwing up.

I’m sure I’m pregnant. I have to be.

I don’t know how I feel about that. I’ve come to have feelings for Igor. He’s passionate and protective and possessive and manly. I’ve come to accept our marriage, and I suppose children are inevitable.

I flush and go to the sink to wash my face and hands before I grab my handbag and head out.

Matvey is leaning against the wall and looks at me as I walk out. “Feel better?”

“I have no regrets,” I say with a grin. “Right, I need tampons and pads…” I start rattling off.

He looks put out, and I smile. “Do you want to wait outside the pharmacy while I get what I need?”

He looks around. “There’s a bench. I’ll be right there.”

I smile and walk into the store. I scan the aisles, walking along them and peeking down them to see where the pregnancy tests could possibly be.

I walk down one aisle and scan the shelves.

I feel something press into my back, and I hear a voice murmur, “This is a gun, and you’re going to do exactly what I say. Nod if you understand me?”

I nod slowly.

It must be those men who jumped Matvey. I wonder how I can get his attention.

The person with the gun takes my arm. “This way.”

He guides me to the back of the store and past the pharmacist. I try to get the pharmacist to notice me, but he doesn’t budge. I swallow hard. If I can pull away, I can run.

“Don’t get any clever ideas. This is for your own good, Arina.”

I swear I recognize the voice.

We walk out of the staff exit, and there’s a van running and waiting for us.

I open the door and get in. “There’s no need to hurt me,” I say quietly. The man climbs in, and I turn to face him.

It’s Luka Milov.

Chapter 20 - Igor

The car hasn’t even stopped when I climb out and head into the estate. I stride across the floor, up the stairs, and straight into my office.

“What do we know?” I ask, taking off my suit jacket. “Who’s taken her?”

“I’ve got someone working on that,” Matvey says.

“Why weren’t you watching her?” I growl. “Where were you?”

“She… she wanted some privacy. Maybe nobody took her, Igor. Maybe she ran.” He runs a hand through his hair.

“She didn’t,” I say quietly. “I know she didn’t. She wouldn’t. Her life is here now, with me.”

“By force,” Matvey says. “Maybe she was just waiting for the right time. I mean, I caught her sneaking out in the first place.”

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