Page 23 of Kidnapped Bratva Virgin

I keep my eyes on her, but swallow down the last dregs of my vodka maintaining my rage. “I guess time will reveal all.”

Avery smirks. “Yes, it will. She’s quite popular tonight.”

If Avery’s trying to get under my skin, I’m not giving him the satisfaction. “Of course she is. She’s with an Utkin. Excuse me. I don’t want my date feeling neglected, so I better get back.” I shake the man’s hand, and he grins.

“Talk soon, Dimitri.” With measured strides, I reach the far end of the boat where the man has Ava cornered. As soon as he sees me coming, he glides away before I can sink my teeth into him.

“What was that?” I hiss into Ava’s ear, a baffled expression on her face.

“I think his name is Frank—”

Quickly, my eyes dart around the boat as I place a hand on the small of her back. “I don’t care who that was,” I hiss through my teeth. “You belong to me, and I’m the man you’re going home with. You don’t entertain other men. Do you fucking understand, Ava?”

Unable to see straight, Ava adjusts, not backing down and sliding my hand away from her back as she finishes off her wine. “We have a mutually beneficial agreement, Dimitri. Don’t make me regret it.”

Chapter Thirteen - Ava

A few days have passed, and Dimitri and I are becoming closer. Every night I’m spending in his bed, and it’s almost amusing that I have to go back to my room and collect my things. The yacht party ended with a petty fight, and if there’s one thing that frightens me about Dimitri, it’s his open possessiveness, but I was proud of myself for not backing down to him.

It was on principle, because whilst Frank might have been trying to flirt with me, I’d sent him away, letting him know I was on the boat with Dimitri.

“See, you made all that fuss about nothing. The reason he went away isn’t because you came over. It was because I sent him away,” I’d told him.

I’d gladly watched the color flush to his cheeks in embarrassment. “Sorry. I wanted to be sure.” That was his weak response.

“What happened to mutual trust?” I’d asked him, but my fingers had been trembling around the wine stem I was holding, afraid of what he would do.

“Yes. I’ll give you that, but I do mean what I said.”

“That’s clear.” But that very night, we’d shared such a tender night of lovemaking it was almost as if his outburst didn’t happen.

Taking a breath, I look at myself in the full-length mirror, satisfied that what I’m wearing will be just the right amount of effort to impress his family. I step into my wedge heels, enhancing my five-foot four stature, enough to stand at a normal height. There. Good. Respectful. Cute. And not too much cleavage, but that’s a hard thing to cover with my ample bosom.

The maid enters to collect the sheets and towels in the room.

“You look so beautiful, Ava,” she praises.

“Thank you. Do you think the ruffles are too much?”

“No. I think they’re the perfect touch. Very feminine. Are you going today to meet Dimitri’s family?”

“Yes, I am,” I reply, anxiety getting the better of me.

The maid’s eyes sparkle as she dumps the linens into her trolley basket. “Ooo, this could be good news for you. I’ve been working here for over a decade, and I’ve never seen Dimitri take a woman home to meet his family. You’re very lucky.”

Unfortunately, this has the adverse effect of applying more pressure. What if his family hates me? I’m not stupid. I know this is a high-powered family I’m entering.

“Don’t worry, you’ll do fine. You can tell me all about it tomorrow.” The maid clasps my wrist in encouragement, her comfort endearing. I’ve become fast friends with all the housekeeping and hospitality staff taking a liking to them, and them to me. Despite Dimitri’s intimidating and hostile demeanor at times, the staff appear content enough to work for him.

As she leaves, I do enough to calm myself down, holding my stomach and staring at it. I’ve missed my period, and I never miss. Frowning, I stare at my belly. Am I pregnant?

It’s doubtful, Ava,but I touch my bloated stomach again. If I am, how do I tell Dimitri? What would he want with a baby? We don’t even have a title yet. Shit. This is too much. I blow out an exasperated breath. This train is moving too fast.

Dimitri’s presence makes himself known, breaking me out of my spiral of thoughts. His bulk and powerful cologne cloaking the space, but it’s as he’s a different man. His face issofter, and he looks more casual in a tan jacket and sky-blue shirt with jeans.

“You look great. Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah I am.” I smile, hiding my hesitation, and mostly keeping quiet on the ride over with him. We arrive at a sprawling family home on the outskirts of Chicago, where rose bushes line a garden path to the door. I take note of the guesthouse on the property and how immaculate everything is.

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