Page 38 of Plus-Sized Bratva Prisoner

“No, you’re coming with us. It’s decided. You keep making excuses and avoiding us. You’ll see—after a few drinks and some dancing you’ll realize that its exactly what you need.”

Cleo turns towards the lecturer as he walks into class, and apparently, it signals the end of our debate. I open my textbook and think about how long it’s been since I went out with friends and just let my hair down. Maybe she’s right. Maybe what I need is a good dance and a laugh.

Maybe I will go with them.

***

The music is thrumming loudly, vibrating through my body, pulsing in my veins. I lift my face up to the colorful lights and smile as I shake my body in time to the music.

I’ve had a few tequila shots. I feel so relaxed. I feel like nothing matters right now except enjoying myself for a moment.

I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I pull it out.

Oh shit.

I forgot to message Yefim.

Yefim: It’s ten thirty. Where are you?

Me: I’m so sorry, I got caught up and forgot to let you know I went out for drinks with some friends after class.

Yefim: Where?

Me: It’s a club right by the college. Silk Sparrow or something like that. I can’t remember the name.

Yefim: When will you be home?

I sigh and roll my eyes. The last thing I need right now is for him to be all annoyed that I went out to have a little fun.

Me: I don’t know. Don’t wait up.

I shove my phone back in my pocket. He needs to learn to let me do my own thing sometimes. He wants to control every aspect of my life, and it’s driving me crazy.

I’m used to being so independent.

I carry on dancing and soon forget about Yefim and my work and my studies. I just let myself get completely lost in the music and a fun night out with my friends.

That is, until I am standing by the bar, having another tequila with Cleo and Mandy and a few guys from class, and spot Yefim watching me.

He is leaning against the bar a little way away from us, a slight grin on his face. But I can’t tell if he’s smiling or smirking in annoyance at the sight of me.

I bite my lip. I know how this is going to go.

He’s going to lecture me on drinking, being irresponsible—maybe he’s even going to be mad that I’m out with other guys.

I stand there, the aftertaste of tequila still burning in my throat, glaring back at Yefim.

Cleo leans over my shoulder, shouting too loudly. “Tia, there is a seriously hot guy staring at you.”

“I know,” I sigh.

“You should go talk to him.” She giggles. “Oh my goodness, I forgot, you can’t, you’re married. I still can’t believe that.”

I told them after a few shots. I needed to tell someone, just to get it out in the open so I didn’t feel like I was hiding some dark secret. At first, none of them believed me. I guess I wouldn’t have believed me either, knowing me.

“I can’t believe it either,” I mutter.

Why does Yefim look so fucking divine right now?

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