Page 18 of Paid for By the Bratva

I nod, but just as he’s about to pry further, I spot our youngest siblings walking in, arm-in-arm. “Oh, look! Natalia and Artyom. It’s been ages.”

I deftly avoid Nikolai’s inquisition and greet them, pretending to be just as confused about the sudden gathering. Soon, the Pakhan arrives with his younger brothers, their wives, and sister. The room falls silent for a moment before Boris and Anoushka embrace Ivan, Sergei, Mikhail, and their wives.

“So,” Sergei bellows through the crowd. “Who killed who, and where should we hide the bodies?”

Natalia bursts out laughing, and the tension eases. I say my hellos.

Despite my reservations about the Zolotovs, I respect their Pakhan, Ivan Zolotov. He’s built the most powerful Bratva empire in the U.S. simply through sheer force of will.

As the last guests finish ordering drinks, the air is electric with tension. Everyone’s eyes dart around, trying to figure out why they’ve been summoned, though they all pretend to be engaged in small talk.

This is neutral ground—home to Nikolai Orlov and Anoushka Zolotov. Given their union, we’re supposed to be friends here.

I’m itching to relieve the unspoken curiosity of the room, only exceptshe’snot here yet—the woman of the hour. I impatiently tap my foot, checking my watch over and over again.

Where the hell is she? She hasn’t chickened out, I pray. Not to mention, it feels like it’s been forever since I’ve seen her. Dare I admit—I might miss her?

Just then, the last of our party arrives. Lara enters on the heels of her brothers, their hulking forms dwarfing her petite frame. She looks petrified, doe eyes round with fear. But still so beautiful, the way her inky hair falls in soft waves over her bare shoulders. I allow myself a moment to admire her, drinking in the sight like a man dying of thirst.

When her eyes meet mine, the world around us fades away.

Pippa tries to speak to Lara, but Lara remains transfixed on me. I see the confusion on Pippa’s face. One wrong move could spark suspicion. It’s better if I handle this.

Everyone is here, I think, my heart racing. It’s now or never. I stride across the room, ignoring attempts at conversation and questioning glances, focused solely on reaching Lara.

“Dima,” her oldest brother Abram says. I nod but keep walking until I’m in front of Lara. She gazes up at me, fear evident, her eyes darting between mine and her brothers behind me. I sense the growing agitation from them.

“What’s going on?” Denis comments, his tone sharp.

Despite her initial fear, something shifts in Lara’s demeanor. She stands more confidently now, her eyes warm as they lock with mine.

“May I?” I ask quietly, extending my hand. She hesitates, then places her trembling hand in mine. The contact is electrifying. I pull her close, and we turn to face the crowd.

A hush falls over the room.

Then?

The room erupts in disbelief—gasps, shocked whispers, and outraged exclamations.

“What the hell are you playing at?” Abram demands, stepping forward with fury. “Let go of my sister!”

“Abram, please,” Lara whispers, but he’s deaf to her plea.

Her brothers glare at me with rage, but I focus only on Lara, squeezing her hand for reassurance.

I clear my throat and address the room, my voice steady. “Attention, everyone! Lara and I have an announcement to make.”

Abram’s face is inches from mine as he demands, “What is the meaning of this?”

I step back, raising our joined hands. “Lara and I were married a month ago.”

“Dima!” Nikolai gasps while Anoushka pales in the face. Ivan and Boris carefully glance over at each other, the Zolotov cousins assessing if they might need to step in.

The admission hits Abram like a physical blow. He staggers back, bracing himself against the antique table that groans under his weight. Lara’s brothers echo his look of disbelief, practically snarling as they close in on me, their faces contorted with fury.

“How could you do this?” my sister Sofia steps forward in anger, her blonde hair lashing across her chair as she shakes her head in accusation.

"Without telling anyone? Without our consent?" Lara's brother Denis seethes.

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