Page 36 of Arranged Marriage By the Bratva

“Yes, he could have,” Elena replies in choked sobs. “But I’m still here. I live, and the bastard isn’t going to take my famiglia away from me.”

“No, he isn’t. He has to pay.” Elena wraps her hands around my waist, leaning into me, and it feels good to have her back in my arms again. It’s where she belongs.

“I should have seen the signs,” Elena adds, becoming more talkative, which I’m grateful for.

“What signs could you see, Elena? The guy’s a conceited prick,” I retort.

“No, there were signs. He’s liked me for a long time, and he told me so, and I remember my father joking when he was alive that Matteo asked for my hand in marriage, and he refused him.”

“Ah, ego and pride. And then for you to marry me of your own choosing. It would have eaten him alive.”

“Yes, it would have.”

“Too bad for him, because you’re Mrs. Orlov now.” Time stops as we stand in the middle of the bedroom, preparing to do battle.

“Yes, I’m Mrs. Orlov,” she repeats back proudly with a lukewarm smile, the sorrow in her eyes evident. Our eyes lock, and her tender expression, ignites a warm flicker of a flame in my heart like nobody else can. Bending down, I tilt her face up to me, dropping to kiss her mouth.

It’s been so long since we’ve touched it feels like, and in this moment, it’s clear as to why I couldn’t get it up for Veronica. My body’s rejecting all other women, making way for my L’vitsa. I’m falling hard for Elena, and it’s okay to admit to myself that it feels good, especially with her carrying my child.

I let myself dive into the kiss, doing my best to cover up the pain she’s feeling inside. Doing all I can to show her where my words fail me. Without warning, my hands are roaming through her hair, and both of us are lost in one another.

As my heart beats like a jackhammer, I have to restrain myself, pulling back with a loud sigh.

“Ah, Elena, what you do to me.” I smile, wanting to soak into her even more, but duty calls in Italy.

“You do the same to me,” she whispers, a small glimmer of hope coming back to life in her eyes.

“Mrs. Orlov, your jet awaits, and this time your husband will be right by your side.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Elena

We land in Sicily secretly, a touch over ten hours later in Palermo. Daylight hasn’t broken, and the air is still. I’m back on home turf, and as soon as my feet hit the tarmac on the private runway, a strength returns to me. This is my heartland, and I’m back in my comfort zone.

There’s a confidence in my stride, and I’m not walking alone this time. I’m walking with my husband, and ally, ready for war. Yegor has joined us on this trip, and despite our earlier hiccup, we are in sync, and he has my back.

All I can think about is the layout of the family home, and where Matteo sleeps. I know every nook and cranny of the house. He will be fast asleep. Matteo likes to sleep in until after nine, and then enjoy a coffee on the back terrace.

Returning to the clean air of Italy is a treat, and there’s a nostalgic feeling that washes over me as we head over to the private driver waiting for us on arrival. I reach inside my jacket, feeling around for my gun in its holster and touching a hand to my chest.

Normally I wouldn’t wear a bulletproof vest, but Nikk encouraged me to wear one. “L’vitsa, I know how fierce you are, but you don’t know how many Matteo has turned and are on his side. I want you safe. Please put this on. Oh, and try not to shoot Yegor again.”

The lighthearted moment was what I needed. Nikk and I do make a good team, and if it wasn’t such a serious situation and close to my heart, I would be having more fun with it. Not today, no—this is the day I defend the throne as I rightfully should.

“Please come through the back road of Via Imera,” I inform the driver as Nikk gives me the once-over.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

“Yes. You’ve seen the estate when we were here for the wedding. We will approach the gate as normal and take it from there. Nobody is expecting me, so that’s the only element of surprise that’s needed.”

“There’s nothing normal about this, Elena. We’re going to back you up,” Nikk proposes as I nod at him.

“I know you will.” As we travel the quiet country roads of Palmero, untapped memories of my father and the legacy he carried on, spring to mind, including Matteo. Oh, how the tables turn.

I take in the small townships as we pass, feeling a sense of peace, and it’s strange because it’s not what I should feel at all, but Sicily will always have a piece of my heart.

When we arrive at the gate of our sprawling family estate, I take note of the increase in guards. “More guards, this is going to be a problem,” Yegor states gruffly.

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