Page 28 of The Bratva's Knocked-Up Bride

That makes me laugh, and for a brief moment, I forget about the tension between Roman and me and the weight of everything that’s been happening. Anya’s presence is calming, and I immediately like her. She’s the kind of person who draws you in without even trying, and I find myself relaxing just by being near her.

Roman shuts the door behind them, and as they pass me, he gives me a small smile and rubs my shoulder with his thumb. His touch is almost hot and spreads heat throughout my shoulder and the rest of my arm. I ignore the feelings that threaten to surface.

Before long, we all gather in the living room, and I watch as Roman takes his place at the center of the group, his natural authority on full display. It’s strange watching him interact with his siblings. They bicker and tease each other like any other family, but there’s an unspoken understanding between them, a bond forged through something much darker than the average sibling rivalry.

As I sit on the edge of the couch, listening to them talk, I can’t help but feel a little out of place. These are people who live in a world I can barely comprehend—a world of power and violence, of control and consequences. And yet, here they are, acting like any other family would. It’s disorienting.

Anya nudges me with her elbow, giving me a conspiratorial wink. “Don’t let Victor scare you. He’s just got a mean face. He likes to keep people on their toes.”

I glance at Victor, who’s deep in conversation with Anton, and raise an eyebrow. “Yeah, I figured that out pretty quickly.”

Anya grins, leaning back in her seat. “He’s all bark, no bite. Well, most of the time.”

Despite myself, I laugh again. Anya has a way of making everything seem lighter and easier. I can already tell we’ll get along, maybe even like sisters.

But the light atmosphere doesn’t last long. Eventually, the conversation shifts, and I can feel the tension creeping back into the room. Victor straightens, his expression hardening as he looks at his siblings.

“Luther reached out to us this afternoon,” he announces, his voice calm but serious. He wants to meet. He says he’s had time to think about our proposition and would like to have a few words about it.”

My heart skips a beat at the mention of the Vultures, and I sit up a little straighter, my pulse quickening.

This is it. The moment I’ve been waiting for—a chance tofinallydo something, to take action and find Riley. But as Victor continued explaining the details of the meeting, I noticed something that made my stomach drop.

They’re not planning on taking me with them.

“We’ll meet tomorrow night,” Roman says, glancing at Victor. “Somewhere neutral. They want to negotiate.”

“What do they want?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Roman meets my gaze, his expression softening just a fraction. “We don’t know yet. But the fact that they want to talk is a good sign. It means they’re not looking to kill anyone. At least, not yet.”

I nod, trying to process everything, but my mind is racing. I need to be there. I need to see what’s going on and know I’m doing everything possible to help Riley.

“I want to go,” I say suddenly, my voice firm.

Roman’s head snaps toward me, followed by the rest of his siblings, his eyes narrowing. “Absolutely not.”

Roman’s sharp refusal cuts through the room, and I feel every set of eyes on me as silence falls. His protectiveness is showing again, but this time, it ignites something in me—a flicker of defiance. I sit up straighter, refusing to back down.

“You don’t get to decide that,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “Riley is my best friend. I have just as much at stake here as you do.”

Roman’s jaw clenches, his green eyes flashing with anger and frustration. I can see the battle inside him—his instinct to protect me clashes with his understanding of how important this is to me. But he doesn’t budge.

“This isn’t a game, Gwen. You have no idea what could happen at that meeting,” he growls, his voice low and dangerous. “The Vultures aren’t like anyone you’ve dealt with before. They’re brutal, ruthless, and if they get even a whiff of weakness, they’ll exploit it.”

His words hang in the air, a warning that hits a little too close to home. I know he’s right—this isn’t some movie where the heroine walks into danger and comes out unscathed. But I’m not willing to sit on the sidelines, not when Riley’s life is at risk.

“I can handle it,” I say firmly, squaring my shoulders. “I know what’s at stake. And I’m not asking for your permission, Roman. I’m telling you—I’m going.”

He stands from the couch and steps closer, his eyes locked on mine, and the tension between us is electric. His protectiveness is suffocating, but beneath that, I can see something else—something deeper. It’s almost relative to… fear. As if he’sactuallyscared of what could happen to me. And maybe… maybe he’s scared of losing control?

“Gwen,” he says, his voice quieter now, more pleading than demanding. “No.”

For a moment, I waver. His concern for me is so palpable that it makes my heart twist in my chest. But I can’t let that stop me. I can’t let him wrap me up in cotton wool and pretend that everything will be okay if I just stay out of it.

“I’m going,” I repeat softly but with finality. My eyes soften, threatening to water. “Please. I need to be there.”

The silence that follows is suffocating. Roman stares at me, his expression unreadable, and I can feel the weight of his siblings’ eyes on us. This is the first time I’ve really pushed back against him and stood my ground in a way that challenges his authority. And for a moment, I wonder if I’ve pushed too far.

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