Page 20 of Paid for By the Bratva

“Why didn’t you come to us earlier?” Abram asks.

“We didn't want to cause any trouble or upset anyone until we were certain about our feelings," I clarify.

“Where did you meet?” Mark narrows his eyes at us.

“Often at night,” I say. “I’d pick her up outside your apartment, and we’d head out to town.”

A murmur of shock ripples through the room, followed by hushed whispers. They seem intrigued by how we’ve been fooling them all this while.

Lara nods, playing along. "Dima and I…we're in love. Truly. When you see us together, you'll understand."

Her brothers scoff in disbelief, but I focus on her cousin Boris. He's always been a romantic and is one of the few Bratva heads to have married for love, even defying a previously arranged marriage contract for Robin.

"What was it?" Boris asks gently. "What made you fall for our little Lara?"

I glance at Lara, my heart swelling with affection as I remember the moment I truly realized how much she meant to me. "It was during that first dinner we all had when the Zolotovs landed from Russia, remember? There was an ice sculpture on display at Ivan’s, carved into the shape of a swan. I watched as Lara's eyes lit up with childlike wonder when she saw it. She was so captivated, so full of joy, her neck craned up to admire that piece for a long time indeed…I couldn't help but fall in love with her right then and there. It’s a rare trait to find beauty and wonder in perfectly ordinary things."

The room goes quiet, everyone taken aback by the sincerity in my words. Even Lara seems surprised by my admission, her cheeks flushing a soft shade of pink.

"An ice sculpture?" Abram scoffs, clearly unimpressed. "That's all it took?"

I caress Lara's cheek, and her eyes flutter over her pink cheeks. "She makes me feel young again. Makes me believe insecond chances," I whisper. She parts her lips, eyes widening from this admission.

But the moment is broken when Abram sneers. His response is a slap across the face, his disdain palpable. His eyes flick between Lara and me, sizing us up, looking for any sign of weakness. The atmosphere in the room thickens, the divide between our families growing deeper by the second.

"Is that so?" Abram challenges, crossing his arms over his chest. "A little bit of childlike wonder, and suddenly you're head over heels?"

"She’s your sister," I say possessively, suddenly angry that Abram even challenges why I’d love her. “By now, you must know how wonderful she is. She’s a woman of many virtues, not least of which is her beauty and kind heart. She’s beyond reproach, and our love is not up for debate. Any man would be lucky to have her.”

Whispers run through the gathered family members like wildfire, their faces a mix of shock and confusion at how strongly I defend her.

Before another word can be spoken, I make a decision—one that will change everything and set our boundaries clear.

"Listen," I announce, my voice steely and resolute. "In order to avoid further conflict within our families, Lara and I have decided to live together, but away from the family home for the time being, in an independent place."

Murmurs of surprise greet my announcement. Lara stares at me, stunned.

"Just until tensions ease," I add, holding her gaze, trying to assess how she might feel in this moment.

Lara looks hurt and confused and takes a step back, her hand slipping out of mine. I panic, aware that everyone is watching us. They have to believe we’re truly in love.

Before she can show that there might be a wedge between us, I slide my hand around her waist and turn to face the room.

“You all have a lot to process, and it might be easier if we’re not here,” I inform them. “I’ll let you know where we’ll be if you need us.”

Abram stands in protest as I gently lead Lara out of the room, but Nikolai jumps in, stopping him to welcome him into the family.

***

When we're alone in the car, Lara turns to me, eyes shimmering with tears.

"Why didn't you discuss this with me first?" Her voice wavers.

I sigh, hating that I've hurt her. "There wasn't time. I had to make a decision in the moment to protect you. I didn’t think your brothers would bethatangry."

"But I don't need your protection," she protests.

I cup her delicate face in my hands. "You do, Sweetheart. Our families are on the brink of war. If we don’t stay together now, I fear what might happen. We need them to believe in this act, don’t we? Would they believe we’re madly in love, defied them all to get married, only to live separately?"

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