Page 69 of Unwilling Bratva Bride

“It’s fine, Adley. Just say it.”

Cocking her head, Adley’s brows knitted together, her lips parting gently. She just stared at me for a moment, but then she shook herself, waving a hand like she was done with whatever we’d been talking about.

“No, wait. Hold on. I think you’re getting ahead of yourself. Just sit.”

I wasn’t one to take orders from just anyone. I listened to Lev and Sergei only as much as I needed to, and this was a civilian talking to me like this. But who was I kidding? She was my civilian, mywife. I’d do anything this woman asked of me.

Walking over, I took a spot on the bed near her bent leg, trying to breathe evenly even though I was itching to get out of the room. I’d never been dumped before, and you know what? It fucking sucked.

Adley smiled, her brows up like she hadn’t expected me to listen. “Thank you.”

I just nodded.

“Ivan,” she began, reaching for my hands, “first off, thank you. Again. You saved my life, and I willnevernot be grateful for that.”

When I tried to reply, Adley silenced me with a look, and I gestured with our joined hands that the floor was hers, rolling my eyes slightly.

“Truthfully, no one has ever put themselves in harm’s way like that for me. It was…fearless, and if I didn’t think you cared before, I certainly do now.” Adley let out a nervous chuckle, and I could see her eyes go glassy. “I had no idea if I was going to survive that. God, I was terrified. I’m still so worried about the baby, and I need you to be okay with me going to see a doctor as much as necessary to ensure this pregnancy goes okay.”

Wait. Is she…

My mind spun, and I was left there perched on the edge of my seat, as sharp as a blade and ready for it to slice right through me. But if Adley was saying what I thought she was, then maybe we—

“I’m going to take the silence as a yes. So, good. I need something else from you, too. I…” I could hear the shake in Adley’s voice, and her hands trembled in my grip, so I squeezed them back. “I don’t want to just be some…trophy. I’m your wife now, and…I want that to mean something. I know I promised you I’d stay—to take care of my family. And I don’t want to break that promise, but I…I need to hear you say it, Ivan. Can you tell me what I mean to—”

“I love you, Adley.” I cut in. “I love you more than I’ve ever fucking loved anything on the face of this earth, and I promise to be there for you and the baby. I meant that shit at the courthouse. You’re mine.”

Adley’s eyes flared, looking like saucers in her face, and my fingers actually stung from how tightly she gripped them. She pulled me forward before I could say another word, forcing my lips to meet hers in a feverish kiss. Her arms went around my neck, and I put one of my hands on her face as the other reached for her lower belly.

Solid, real, and mine. Adley was here, right fucking here, in my arms, and I was never going to let her go.Ever.

Her lips left mine with a sniffle, and I looked down into her eyes as she grinned from ear to ear.

“I love you, Ivan. I don’t care about any of the other stuff. I love you and want to make this work—for real.”

Nodding, I held her in my arms, stroking down her long hair and thinking very strongly that the first thing I was going to do for her when she was released was run her a bath. Having her wet and glistening for me was just a bonus.

“For real.”

A minute later, the door clicked open, and I looked up from still holding Adley to see Lev. I was fucking indebted to the guy now, and even though the odds of me taking my skills elsewhere had always been slim, they were nonexistent now.

“Hello, Adley. Glad to see you’re doing better. Ivan.” Lev regarded me, a slight smirk touching the corner of his mouth. “I thought you would like to know that we found more details of Donovan’s dealings in his car. He’s currently being held downstairs.”

Renewed anger boiled in my guts, twisting them until I reflexively clenched my jaw so hard that it actually cracked.

“I want time with him.” I stared directly into Lev’s eyes. “Alone.”

He nodded once. “I expected as much, but he’s not going anywhere, and my men have strict orders to be ‘gentle’ with him. Take your time here. When you’re ready, just come find me.”

“I will.” I swallowed hard, old habits dying hard, but after a beat, I nodded. “Thanks.”

Lev smirked, his brows rising. “Well, well. How ‘bout that. You’re welcome, Ivan. We have quite a bit to discuss later, and your brothers have been detailing the event. Interesting how Donovan managed to find you. Looks like we may have a few loose ends to tie up.”

I offered another nod, narrowing my eyes. I’d wondered that very thing myself, and the thought that there was a mole somewhere in our network sat really fucking bad with me.

“Sounds like.”

With a head tilt toward Adley, Lev went to leave. “Like I said. Come find me.”

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