Page 83 of The Bratva King's Claimed Bride

I nod and look around. “Well, this is home for now, so why don’t you show me around.”

***

I stay in the apartment, not daring to go out in case either family finds out where I am. I just don’t want to face that. Yvonne stays with me, so I’m not alone, but I miss Igor. I also miss Kervyn. I miss being passionate with my husband, and I miss the family vibes I had with my brothers and their wives.

Today is like any other day, except when Yvonne comes in, I can tell she’s excited.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“Your brothers want to meet you to discuss something,” she says with a smile. “Come on, it’ll do you good to see them.”

“That isn’t fair to Igor,” I say quietly.

Yvonne puts her hands on her hips. “Get dressed and come along. It could be important.”

I sigh and slide into some comfortable leggings, an oversized shirt, and trainers. My hair is in a loose ponytail, but it’s neat.

Alfie is waiting for us downstairs with one of the company vehicles, and he opens the door for us. “Thanks,” I say as I climb in.

“Where are we meeting them?” I ask Yvonne.

“At Kervyn’s house,” she says after a while. “Don’t worry, I’ll be there the whole time.”

I nod and fidget with the hem of my shirt. I’m nervous that they’re going to cast me out and never speak to me again. Or that they’ll make me choose between Igor and them.

We arrive at Kervyn’s house and climb out of the car. Penny is standing by the front door. “Oh, Arina,” she says as I reach her. She gives me a big hug and a smile. “I’m so glad you came.”

“Of course, Yvonne said it was important.”

“It is,” she says. “Come, we’re meeting outside on the deck where we’re having lunch.”

I follow her, glancing back at Yvonne, who looks completely at ease with the situation even though she’s technically in the enemy's home.

I walk out the double doors leading to the deck and pause. My Milov brothers and sisters-in-law are all seated around the table with Kervyn at the head. On the other end are Igor and Matvey, and they are joined by Yvonne, who smiles brightly at me and says, “Surprise.”

“What’s going on?” I ask, confused.

Kervyn and Igor both stand up. “We’ve missed you, first of all,” Kervyn says. “Igor probably more than us. We decided amongst ourselves that a lifetime of hate isn’t worth losing you over, so we’ve called a truce and agreed to join forces rather than fight.”

Igor looks at Kervyn while he talks, then turns to me. “It’s up to you, though, if you want this. Neither of us is going to force you to make this decision.”

My heart clenches in my chest, and I put my hand on it. I can feel the tears forming in my eyes.

They did this for me. No one has ever done a grand gesture for me like this before, and this is definitely the grandest. I know they’ve just let go of a lifetime of hate for me. Igor has wanted revenge his whole life, and he’s willing to let that go because it will make me happy.

“What do you say then?” Yvonne encourages me.

I wipe my eyes. “Yes, of course, I want us to be one family.”

I rush to Igor first and leap into his arms, kissing him deeply. He holds me close to him, and when we break the kiss, he looks lovingly into my eyes.

I then hug each person there one at a time, ending with Kervyn.

I whisper in his ear, “Thanks for being the best big brother.”

He chuckles and kisses my head. “You are most welcome.”

Kervyn gestures to the table. “Sit, let us have lunch. I’ve had the chef whip up some Russian specialties so Arina can start getting used to what her homeland tastes like.”

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