Page 65 of Knocked-Up Bratva Prisoner

That really was an adventure.

I want more of that in my life.

My uncle has just been keeping me in this bubble, a controlled environment that has stopped me from experiencing so many different things. Beautiful things.

Like stargazing…

And falling in love…

Am I falling in love?

I push the thought aside because it’s too big. It’s too overwhelming.

Once I’m dressed, I dry my hair and pull it up onto the top of my head in a messy bun.

Okay.

I need to go and find Alexei. I need to at least try and say sorry.

After walking downstairs, I can’t find him anywhere. The house is quiet.

I roam through the rooms one by one and end up in the kitchen without seeing any sign of him.

Then I notice the piece of paper on the kitchen counter.

“I’ve gone to the store. The one just down the road at the truck stop. I won’t be long.”

I sigh and crumple the paper in my hand with a heavy heart. At least he let me know he was going, but he clearly needed to get away from me for a bit.

Well, I can try talking to him tonight, or even tomorrow.

Heading up to the little library sunroom he has on the top floor, I browse through the shelf of books until I find something that catches my eye.

Beautiful Places to Visit in the World.

Alexei said he wanted to take me on more adventures.

I bite my lower lip.

I’ve messed that up now.

Besides, who am I kidding? I’m a toy to him. A game. I can’t take this seriously. He isn’t.

I curl up on the armchair and start browsing through the book.

It’s like a portal into a dream world.

And before I realize it, I have actually fallen asleep, and my mind is filled with the most exotic places, Alexei by my side, showing me all of those amazing things.

“Clara.” His voice drifts into my dream, and I feel myself smiling.

“Clara.” Again, a little louder.

Then I feel his hand on my arm.

My dream fizzes away, the island paradise we were exploring becoming an instant blur, and I jump with fright when I see him leaning over the armchair, shaking me awake.

He smiles.

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