Page 33 of Married to the Bratva

Clusters of well-dressed guests murmur in low voices, their champagne glasses glinting in the soft light. Every laugh sounds calculated, every smile thinly veiled, as though they’re all waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Maxim has disappeared into a corner with Nikolai and Victor, leaving me to fend for myself among strangers who probably know more about me than I’d like.

I stand near one of the massive windows, sipping champagne and trying to blend into the wallpaper.

It’s not working.

Andrei approaches me, his movements measured and deliberate. His silver hair is neatly combed, his tailored suit sharp enough to cut glass. There’s an air of quiet authority about him, the kind that makes people nearby straighten their posture and choose their words carefully.

“You must be Sophie,” he says, his voice smooth but probing.

“I guess I must be,” I reply, forcing a polite smile.

He chuckles, a low, warm sound that feels out of place in this room. “And I’m Andrei Sokolov. Maxim speaks highly of you.”

My eyebrows lift slightly. “Does he? That doesn’t sound like him.”

Andrei’s smile widens, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement. “No, it doesn’t. Which is why I wanted to see for myself what kind of woman caught his attention. To tell you the truth, I never thought he would become a family man.”

I glance over my shoulder, where Maxim is speaking in hushed tones with Nikolai. “Caught his attention” feels like a stretch, but I don’t bother correcting Andrei. “Well, I hope I don’t disappoint.”

He pulls a phone from his pocket. The device is buzzing as he presses buttons. He frowns when an error message flashes on the screen. “I can’t get this damn thing to work,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I’m afraid I’m not as technologically inclined as I’d like to be. In my day, it was all done with letters and meetings. I will never get the hang of this modern stuff.”

I smile faintly, recognizing the challenge for what it is. “May I?”

He hesitates, then hands me the phone. I glance at the screen, my fingers flying over the device as I navigate through the settings. “Your security permissions are too strict,” I explain. “It’s blocking that app from accessing your files. Just a moment.”

Within seconds, I’ve fixed the issue, handing the phone back to him with the app open and ready. “There. Should work now.”

Andrei studies the screen, then looks up at me with genuine admiration. “Impressive. You’re not just a pretty face, are you?”

“Not even that,” I reply, my tone dry.

His laughter draws attention, including Maxim’s. From across the room, he watches us with narrowed eyes, his expression unreadable.

“Tell me, what made you change his bachelor ways?”

I lean in, lowering my voice. “I’m a diamond in the sack.”

He laughs even louder, slapping me on the shoulder, calling out to Maxim. “You have a good one here.”

The moment Andrei steps away, Maxim is at my side, his presence a sudden and overwhelming force. “Making friends?” he asks, his tone laced with something I can’t quite place.

“Isn’t that what you wanted?” I counter, keeping my expression neutral.

He steps closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Careful, Sophie. Andrei doesn’t waste his time with small talk. If he’s talking to you, it’s because he’s testing to see if we’re a genuine couple.”

“Then maybe you should be thanking me,” I say, meeting his gaze. “I just made your takeover bid easier. Made him think we were very much in love.”

I notice Andrei watching so I kiss Maxim softly on the mouth. “Now thank me.”

His eyes flash darkly. “You’re playing with fire giving me orders.”

“And you need my help, Maxim, don’t forget that.”

25

SOPHIE

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