Page 21 of Caught By the Bratva Beast

“Without a doubt.”

Pearl turns out of the ensuite bathroom and makes her way over to the wall of windows and another balcony. “Thank you for bringing me here. I'm sure I'm going to say thank you a million times over the next few days and it's still not going to be enough.”

“Watching you enjoy yourself will be enough.” I cross my arms, leaning in the doorframe and watching her take in every single detail of the room. She pulls out her phone, snaps another picture or two, takes a selfie, and sends it to her friend.

“Is there anything you want to do while you're here?”

“Hunting. I think that while I'm here, it's only right that I take part in some of the traditions. I really do want to learn about your country and your life.”

My chest fills with pride as I look at the woman in front of me. I can’t think of another person I could’ve brought to my home that would’ve wanted to take part in my customs instead of spending their day looking out over the mountains and relaxing.

Once again, the choice I made in selecting Pearl seems like a good one.

“Very well then, we'll go hunting in the morning.”

Pearl nods, stepping closer to the massive bed against the center of one wall, running her fingers over the soft sheets before falling on her back and staring up at the canopy above her. “This is the softest bed I've ever laid in.”

“Well, I hope you continue to enjoy it. I'm sure you need your rest after that long flight. I can have your bags brought up here later. And when you're ready, you can come downstairs. I'll make you something to eat.”

“Is your staff not going to be staying in the house with us?”

“Are you secretly asking me if men with guns are going to be surrounding the property the entire time I'm here?”

“The thought had crossed my mind once or twice. I'm no stranger to men and their security teams, or criminals for that matter. But if we were truly to relax on this vacation, I don't think I want to be seen as a threat. Not as long as you're okay with sending them away, of course. It's your decision as this is your home and I wouldn't want to have to go around and change things.”

“Pearl, you're rambling. I invited you here to spend time alone with you and get to know you. My men will be on the property, but they will be at the far edges of it. You'll be lucky if you even see a single one of them.”

“Maxim, are you bragging about your size?”

Laughing, I push off the frame and turn for the door, reaching for the brass handle. “Have a good nap, Pearl. I’ll see you when you wake up.”

“Will you tell me about how you built the house with your father when we eat later?”

“I'll tell you whatever you want to know, as long as you're willing to talk to me about yourself as well.”

“You're not going to give up, are you?”

“I'll give you one of mine right now if you give me one of yours.” I walk over to the bed, leaning over and bracing my hands on either side of her head, hovering just above her. All I can think of is how I want to close the space and kiss her lying lips.

As she looks up at me, her breath hitching slightly, she whispers. “Fine. This is going to be the best date of my life.”

“I know you're an escort.”

When her mouth drops open, I stand and spin for the door, heading out and shutting it behind me.

For the first time since talking to her at the charity event, I feel like I have the upper hand. I’m going to need it if I’m going to convince her that she will be mine.

Chapter 8 - Pearl

“Dad,” I call out as I walk into the house looking for him after school. “I did a lot of thinking about the fight we had yesterday when we were on the plane, and I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry.”

No sound comes from in the house, but that's not unusual.

He's likely sitting in his office pouring over the ledgers, trying to find another way to make ends meet this month. I would have thought that a man who has as much money as he has would be good at budgeting. Most of the time, though, the money seems to be gone before we get to the last day of the month.

For as long as I’ve been alive, he's played a good game at trying to keep up with everybody around him even with people exploiting his friend zone. It’s always one venture after another, but nothing pans out.

He seems to think that he needs to be the richest man in the room, or at least it must look like it.

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