Page 34 of Arranged to Marry the Bratva

Carefully, I extricate myself from his grasp with trembling fingers, trying not to wake him. I need to get out of here. I need a small detox from him before I know how I truly feel. As I rise from the bed, I glance back at his peaceful, slumbering form. It's hard to reconcile this tender image with the man I was so intent on keeping at arm’s length.

"Get it together, Anoushka," I mutter under my breath before slipping out of the bedroom, closing the door gently behind me. I need breakfast, and a coffee maybe.

As I turn the hallway of the corner, I find Dima leaning against the wall outside the guest bedroom, looking grumpy and disheveled, his dark hair sticking up in every direction. He casts me a wary glance, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"How did I get here?" he grumbles.

"You were hurt badly after the fight at the club yesterday," I tell him gently. "Nikolai brought you in. I treated your wounds initially, cleaned them, and had your men help you to bed. The doctor came and visited you after. You were… quite beat up,” I explain.

I see his frown turn to a furrow as he processes what I just told him.

“And Nikolai?” he asks, at last.

“Nikolai was fine. I helped him clean up, too. He didn’t need the doctor.”

“Good,” Dima nods. “That’s good.”

I can see he’s relieved that his brother is fine because he releases a small gush of air.

I nod and begin to walk past when I hear his voice. I stop right opposite him, looking up.

“Thanks for tending to my wounds last night. Didn't think you had it in you,” he says, all serious in tone.

"Surprised? I'm not as helpless as you all seem to believe," I reply, feeling a flicker of pride in having earned his begrudging gratitude.

"Fair enough," he concedes, his expression softening. "Listen, I'm not usually one for heart-to-hearts, but… you better be careful with Nikolai.” he leans against the wall, his arms crossed together. “Don't play with his emotions. Nikolai's been through a lot, and I don't want to see him hurt."

"I know what I'm doing, Dima," I say with a hint of defiance, annoyed by his presumption that I’m all out to hurt him. The hallway suddenly feels suffocating, as if the walls are closing in on me. I clench my fists, frustrated by this constant underestimation from him, from Sofia, from what seems to be the whole, entire world.

" You think I don't understand the consequences of being involved with him? You think I walk through life hell-bent on making someone else’s life miserable?" My voice rises, echoing off the polished floors. "Nikolai isn't some fragile flower, Dima. He can handle whatever comes his way."

"Look, all I'm saying is—" Dima starts, but I cut him off.

"Enough, Dima!" I fume, glaring at him. "I appreciate your concern, but now I’m angry over the disrespect you bring Nikolai’s way. He’s your eldest brother. He’s made your business, your family, what it is. Trust me, while you’re all out thinking he needs your protection, he doesn’t. He’s extremely capable of knowing what to do, and if you just trace back his track record, you’d see it, too. It’s time for you to stop underestimating him. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need some time alone."

Dima hesitates, his eyes searching mine for a moment before finally nodding. He doesn’t say anything else, but he turns and heads down the hall toward his own bedroom, leaving me to stew in my thoughts.

As soon as Dima's door clicks shut, I let out a shaky breath, trying to calm my racing heart. A part of me understands that he's just looking out for his brother, but it doesn't make his words any less irritating. I lean against the cold wall, staring blankly at the intricate patterns on the wallpaper as I try to sort through my tangled emotions.

The truth is, I just realized how protective I feel of Nikolai, how I don’t want to fight against him, or hurt him, or stay away from him, how I want to run back into that room and take him in my arms.

"Anoushka." Nikolai's voice startles me, and I turn to find him standing at the corner of the hall, shirtless and tousled from sleep. I swallow hard, unable to deny the shiver of desire that runs through me at the sight.

"Did you… hear all that?" I ask hesitantly, my pulse quickening. The last thing I need is for him to hear me fighting on his behalf.

A faint smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, and he takes a step toward me. "I did," he admits, his gaze intense as it holds mine. "And I have to say, Anoushka, it’s nice having you on my team.”

The intensity in Nikolai's eyes sends a jolt of electricity through me, making my knees weak. He slowly approaches me.

"Anoushka," he murmurs, his voice low and sultry, "I never knew you could be so… passionate when it comes to defending me." He stands just inches away from me now, and I can feel the heat radiating off his bare chest.

"Neither did I," I confess, my voice barely audible as my heart races in my chest. "But I meant what I said. You're more than capable of handling your own emotions."

He smirks, his hand coming up to gently stroke my cheek. "You're quite something, Anoushka Zolotov Orlov," he whispers, leaning in closer until our lips are almost touching. "It's been a long time since someone has made me feel this way."

"Which way is that?" I ask, trying to sound braver than I feel. The memory of our passionate encounter still lingers in my mind, leaving me craving more, making me regret that we ever left his room.

"Desire," he replies, his breath hot against my skin. "Such an intense desire that it's almost unbearable."

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