Page 34 of Paid for By the Bratva

The warmth of the tequila spreads through me as I lower my shot glass back to the table. Then, Natalia launches into a funny story about a recent disastrous date, causing all three of us to burst into laughter.

As the night goes on, the atmosphere gradually lightens, with casual conversations and shared stories replacing the earlier apprehension. I find myself opening up more, letting my guard down as I laugh alongside Sofia and Natalia.

But even amidst the laughter, I can't shake the feeling that Sofia's watchful eyes never truly leave me. I make peace with the fact that it will take a lot more to win her complete trust.

Nevertheless, I don’t blame her. She’s just protective of her brother, as any sister would be.

Just then, I notice a couple. They're wrapped up in each other, kissing passionately without a care for who might be watching. The man's hands roam over the woman's body possessively, and she arches into his touch with a soft moan I can just barely hear over the music.

"Looks like someone's having a good time," Natalia says with a teasing grin, following my gaze.

"Ugh, some people have no shame," Sofia scoffs, rolling her eyes. "I bet they'll disappear into the washroom together before the night's over."

"Maybe they're just enjoying each other's company," I suggest, trying to keep the mood light.

"Or maybe they're just horny and can’t wait to have sex," Sofia counters with a wicked smile.

I lose track of the conversation as a couple at the bar catches my eye.

Sex. That damned, wretched word. Heat floods my cheeks as I look away, embarrassed at the mention of the word that reminds me of what I wanted so desperately just hours ago. But I can't help imagining what it would be like to be touched like that, to be desired so intensely. To be kissed and caressed by a man like Dima, all hard muscle and restrained power.

My heart pounds at the thought, warmth pooling low in my belly. I squeeze my thighs together, acutely aware of the slow throb between them. Dima's kiss ignited a hunger in me I've never known before, and it's only gotten stronger in the time we've been apart. I want nothing more than to rush back home and right into his bed, to feel the scrape of his stubble against my skin and the possessive grip of his hands on my waist.

I imagine what it would be like for his large hands to rip off my clothes, the memory of his breath on my neck still strong. My cheeks burn from how he kissed me, and my heart races from how I imagine him taking that same mouth downward.

I shiver as the fantasy unfolds in my mind, Dima’s lips trailing down my thighs, parting them wide, his fingers exploring my body like an instrument to be played.

"Are you alright, Lara?" Natalia asks, snapping me out of my daydream.

"Uh, yeah, sorry," I stammer, feeling flushed. "I just got lost in thought for a moment."

"Must have been a pretty interesting thought," Sofia says, smirking knowingly.

"Nothing important," I reply quickly, praying my face isn't as red as it feels.

And herein, a solid lie.

Chapter 12 - Dima

The door to my home office flies open, slamming against the wall with a resounding crash. Sofia stands in the doorway, her fiery gaze locked onto mine, her blonde hair flying wildly around her, her chest heaving from the haste with which she came.

"Explain yourself, Dima," she demands, storming into the room like a hurricane, giving me no opportunity to object to her uninvited entry. "What's this nonsense about you marrying Lara? And over Marv of all people?"

“Marv?” I clench my jaw, trying to maintain my composure in the face of her fury. “How do you even—"

“Know about it?” she cuts me off. “So I was right!” she crosses her arms in front of her. “Just last night, your little wife let slip how you saved her from some guy called Marv. She tried to be diplomatic, to save her hide, in all probability, but the breadcrumbs were enough for me to find out what I needed to find.”

I feel anger coursing through me, and it takes everything in me to stop myself from kicking my sister out. “Lara didn’t do anything tosave her hide. I did what I had to. And you didn’t answer my question. Until you don’t tell me what you know, I won’t be providing a single answer, Sofia,” I say coldly.

She pauses, taking in my threat.

“Sit,” I say, pointing to the chair before me.

She walks over, still angry, but nevertheless takes her chair.

“I dropped Natalia off first last night after drinks. Then Sofia. I snuck into your house through the servant’s quarter and snooped around your computer.”

“My computer?” I sputter, my hands clenching into fists at her audacity. “Do you have any idea what kind of information you could find there?”

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