Page 39 of Forced By the Bratva Beast

“Thanks for the spa. I had fun there.” She looks relaxed as she floats through the door, a pregnancy halo around her. Maybe others would see her as not conventionally beautiful, but to me she’s stunning.

“Good. See? There are some good things about being married to a Bratva man,” I tease as she sits next to me on the couch.

“I guess there can be.” She rolls her eyes as I admire her; I’m withholding one more surprise but waiting for the right moment. It’s been a week trying to work on finding out who Ryan was working for and locating Chris. It’s a hidden thing I’m keeping from her until I can figure it out for myself.

“I have another one.” Beaming, I know she’s going to freak out when I show her.

“What is it?” she asks, puzzled. I hand her the iPad in my hand with a picture of a tropical island and turquoise blue waters on it.

“We haven’t had a honeymoon yet, and we should. This is where I’d like to take you. I think you’d like it there. Plus, itwould be nice to see you in a bikini strutting your stuff.” I wink, chuckling as she looks at the picture.

“We’re going here?” She squeals, the emerald in her eyes shining brighter than normal.

“Yes, we’re going here. To the Maldives. There’s a honeymoon package with our own overwater bungalow, and you can swim right near it. Underneath you can see the water. It’s on a private island, where we can do all kinds of activities. Snorkeling, whale watching, romantic dinners, paragliding, swimming, spas. You name it, they will have it catered to us there. Are you in?” Of course, I know the answer.

“Am I in? I have to fulfil my wifely duties, so of course I am.”

“Good. Start packing because we’re leaving the day after tomorrow.”

And a couple of days later we arrive to the Maldives, the sky a beautiful cerulean blue, and the ocean, a blend of turquoise and sapphire blue. Perfect for swimming, snorkeling and general relaxation.

“This place is straight from a postcard. Is it even real?” Sophia asks in awe as we step off the jet boat that carted us over from the main island of Male.

A resort member greets us with a smile, taking our bags as we get off the boat. “Welcome to the Baa Atoll, and Rusafushi Resort. We’re pleased to have you with us for the next two weeks. My name is Ben, and I’ll be taking care of you for the duration of your stay,” he greets cheerfully as I place my sunglasses on my head as Sophia grins from ear to ear. I find myself happy that she’s happy, and that’s a new and unexplored emotion for me.

“Thanks, me and wife are so happy to be here on our honeymoon,” I tell him, interlocking my fingers with hers as she side-eyes me with a cunning smirk.

“Yes, husband, it’s good to be here.” She winks back, both of us playing a little game, but secretly, it’s not as big a game as the days go by in her company. We’re surrounded by pristine clear tropical waters and white sands with top-notch service. What’s not to love?

We wait off to the side as the resort staff member packs our luggage on a buggy cart, and Sophia looks around at our new jungle paradise for a little while. While that’s being done another lady staff member comes to greet us with two coconuts with straws in them.

“Welcome. Can I offer both of you an island refreshment?” Sophia nods as I take one also and we pose for a photo.

“We’re going to have to go for a swim later. The humidity here is something else,” I tell her. “Sounds like a good idea.” Sipping the cool, hydrating drink, I study Sophia. Her glow is undeniable. From the island reception we’re escorted onto an island buggy to our very own private villa room, the tropical island gateway opening as we whizz around the island.

“This place feels magical,” Sophia remarks as we snake through the sandy corridor, whizzing past the activities center of the island and the tennis courts.

“I agree. It does feel that way. I come here to escape the cold of Chicago. The Maldives are the perfect place to escape.”

Sophia regards me with a measure of contempt, and it’s likely because I’ve been here before, but when you have the world as your playground, of course you’re going to explore. Wrapping my arm around her, I smile at her, showering herwith affection. Yes, I’m hamming it up, but it’s becoming second nature at this point.

“I would have to agree with you both. I’ve worked at the resort for the last three years, and it’s a wonderful place, and wait until you see your overwater bungalow. It’s going to blow your mind.”

Soon enough we arrive at a wooden plank right over the lagoon, leading us out to a row of overwater bungalows. “Okay, Mr. and Mrs. Utkin, we’re going to head out to your villa. It’s right on the far right. You’ll find bikes right outside your villa, and those will help you get around the island.”

“Wow.” Sophia grins, pulling out her phone and snapping photos. “Postcard worthy. Wait until I tell Ava about this.”

“She will be intensely jealous. She’ll have to marry a nice man like me who will bring her here,” I dig, poking at the fact she wanted nothing to do with me because I’m in the Bratva, yet the irony isn’t lost on me because I’ve saved her from a so-called upstanding citizen masquerading as a do-gooder.

Sophia is quick to the party, rolling her eyes, and digging her hand into my thigh. Ben simply laughs as we bump over the wooden plank to our villa, the treat being a lagoon of fish beneath our feet.

“Thank you, Ben,” I say as he nods.

“You’re welcome, and if you need anything or want me to pick you up for dinner at the underwater restaurant, please call me.” He hands me a business card with his information, and I nod as we’re left to our devices.

And for the next few days we are booked up with activities all over the island including manta ray diving, snorkeling at the nearby beaches, playing tennis, and enjoying the spa.

“I love you,” I coo at her after picking her up at the spa from getting her nails and facial done. Her face displays disgust, but she plays along with it, begrudgingly responding.

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