Page 72 of The Bratva King's Claimed Bride

I hear Danil sigh, but there are two sets of footsteps walking away.

I creep back downstairs and stand by Kervyn’s office door. When I hear Igor’s voice, my heart races. I’ve missed him so much.

I hear the anger in Kervyn’s voice. “I’m not giving you Arina. She deserves to be with her family. If you had told her that we didn’t know about her, you wouldn’t have easily won her over.”

My heart thumps in my chest as I wait for Igor’s answer.

“Why would I tell her that?” he spits out. “You don’t deserve her. You don’t deserve to know her even if you didn’t know anything about her.”

I clench my fists. He did know. He knew, and he didn’t tell me.

“If you don’t give me Arina, I will declare war against your family. I will not stop until she is mine again.”

I can’t control myself. The door creaks open as I storm inside. Igor turns to see me walking toward him. I see the tension leave his shoulders, and he relaxes. “Arina.”

Rage vibrates through me. I walk right up to him and slap him through the face. The slap stings my hand, but I’m too angry at him to care. “You knew. You knew my brothers didn’t know anything about me and kept it from me.” I glare at him. “You knew how much family meant to me and lied to my face.”

“Arina, I was only protecting you…”

“Protecting me from what? You’re the one who kidnapped me and forced me to be your wife. Kervyn and my brothers have been nothing but kind to me.” I can feel the tears forming in my eyes, and my heart breaks. “I want nothing to do with you. I am not going with you and never want to see you again.”

I turn and storm out and run upstairs to my bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me.

I feel like I’ve been stabbed. The one person I opened myself up to, trusting completely, betrayed me. I thought we were like family. I thought we cared for each other. He can’t claim to care for me if he keeps secrets like that from me.

There’s a knock on my door. “Arina?” Kervyn’s voice says quietly. “Can I come in?”

“Yes,” I say tearfully, hugging my pillow.

The door opens, and Kervyn steps in. “Oh, little one,” he says quietly. “Come here.”

I get up and run to his open arms. He hugs me tightly and kisses my head. “I’m sorry you heard that, and I’m sorry he hurt you. He doesn’t deserve you.”

He strokes my hair gently, and I sob into his chest, not sure how to tell him I’m pregnant with Igor’s child. I don’t want Kervyn to hate me as well. I’m going to have to figure something else out. Maybe I’ll speak to Penny first.

“Is he gone?” I say through my sniffles.

“Yes, he left straight away, and you never have to see him again, you hear me.” He rests his chin on my head. “And Penny shouldn’t have let you eavesdrop like that.”

“Please, she was only doing what I asked.” I let go of him to look up at him, worried about Penny. “Please, don’t be mad at her.”

“Oh, I could never be mad at my wife.” He strokes my cheek softly. “But she’s going to owe me one.”

I give him a sad smile. “I really am not feeling well. I think I’m going to lie down now and try to get some sleep.”

“Okay, well, don’t wallow too long,” he says quietly. “You’re a Milov. We get back up and fight another day.”

I smile at him as he leaves and curl up on my bed.

Chapter 24 - Igor

I come home from my meeting with Kervyn and storm past Matvey to go straight to my study. I pour myself a triple shot of whiskey and down the glass.

“Went that well, did it?” Yvonne asks from the door.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I growl angrily. “Just leave me be.”

I hear her footsteps as she walks off, but I know there will be questions later once I’m over my feelings. How can I get over my feelings, though? The woman I love wants nothing to do with me and is staying in the house of my enemy.

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