Page 33 of The Bratva's Knocked-Up Bride

A flicker of guilt crosses his face, but then he surprises me by saying, “I can make that happen for you.”

I look at him, confused. “What?”

He shifts, propping himself up on one elbow, looking down at me with his intense gaze. “Let me handle the details. I’ll make sure you get that night. The way it should’ve been.”

Something in his voice reassures me, but I still shake my head. “It wouldn’t be the same now.”

He leans down, brushing his lips against my forehead. “Let me try.”

I don’t know why, but I trust him. For the first time, I feel like he’s really seeing me and not just as a part of the deal we made. I nod, smiling softly.

Soon after, we drift off to sleep, curled up into each other, wrapped in the warmth of a moment I never expected to have.

Chapter 12 - Roman

I sit in my office at the casino, the low hum of fluorescent lights flickering above me. The usual clamor of chips and laughter from the gaming floor feels distant today, almost muted against the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind. I have legitimate work to do, emails to respond to, and schedules to manage, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Gwen.

She’s brave—almost fearless—and the way she let me in last night still sends a warmth curling through my chest. It’s strange to think how someone so seeminglydelicatecan carry a fire that ignites the room, lighting it with an intensity I didn’t know I craved. She trusts me, and that knowledge is a double-edged sword. I want to protect her, yet part of me is fiercely proud that she isn’t afraid to face the chaos surrounding her.

With a sigh, I rub the back of my neck, trying to chase away the images of her—her laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she was excited, the soft way her body melted against mine. My thoughts flicker to our conversation last night as we talked about her and her need for a night out.

I have many ideas on how to help her and make her happy, but I know there’s nothing that will make her happier than having Riley back. It pains me that I can’t simply ignore everything I know, everything I was brought up with, and go after Riley myself, guns blazing, so I can bring her back to safety and watch the way Gwen’s face lights up upon her return.

But I have to be smart. I have to do this right.

We have the men's names. We’re trying to arrange a meeting. I know we’ll make progress soon.

“Roman?” Anya’s voice pulls me from my reverie. I look up as the door swings open, my sister standing there with asweet smile. She steps into the office, her presence lighting up the dim space. “Jesus. You look like you’re plotting something dark and sinister.”

“Just trying to get some work done.” I lean back in my chair, masking the distraction with a smirk. “You know how it is.”

She arches an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she leans against the doorframe. “Right. Because you definitely look like a man who’s all business and no pleasure.”

I chuckle, unable to help myself. Anya has always had a knack for reading me like an open book. “What do you want, Anya?”

Her lips curl into a knowing smile. “I wanted to check in on you and your new wife. How’s that going?”

I hesitate for a moment, contemplating the complexities of our relationship. “She’s... adjusting.”

Anya steps closer, her expression softening. “Adjusting? You make it sound like she’s just moved into a new apartment, not married into the Bratva.” She pulls up a chair in front of my desk, then leans forward on her elbows with a giddy smile. “So… what’s she like?”

I roll my eyes playfully, then return my attention to my computer. “You’ve met her already.”

“No, come on,bratik,” she groans. “I barely got the chance to talk to her. Tell me. I want to know all about her.”

I sigh. Anya was easily the most resilient out of our family, and she never went down without a fight. If people thought I always got my way, they haven’t met her yet. She’s much worse than me.

“Okay,” I sigh, turning to give her my full attention and watch her eyes light up as I do so.

Anya nods with interest. “What is she like? Shy, smart, crazy?”

She’s fucking insane, I’ll tell you,I think to myself before answering. “She’s very smart, well-educated. Determined. Stubborn as hell, perhaps more than you on that one. Definitely leans more to the independent side, and she’s a tough shell to crack.” I find a warmth sprouting in my chest and growing the more I talk about Gwen. “She’s really sweet once you get to know her and super adventurous.”

“Sounds like a perfect match for you,” Anya says with an impressed look. “A match made in heaven.”

I can’t help but feel a swell of pride at her words. “Yeah? I like her. A lot. It’s just... complicated.”

“Complicated how?” she presses, her curiosity piqued.

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