Page 76 of Claimed Bratva Virgin

“I love you, Rafa.”

He kissed my forehead and relaxed on the seat with his eyes shut. “I know you do.”

****

We stepped out of the car as we arrived at Timur’s house, and I smiled at the imposing structure before us. Serena invited us for lunch today. Rafayel didn’t say it often, but we both knew how appreciative he was that Timur and his family shuttled between states just to spend time with us. And it was surely a blessing because Serena had fallen madly in love with Nadya.

Normally, I stayed home with our daughter, who was a rare moment of peace in the madness of our lives. Marco was more than capable of handling the operations while I focused on what mattered most—our baby girl. But tonight, it was different. I had to be with Rafayel at the meeting with Paragon, and I knew Serena would be happy to take over for a while, giving me the time I needed.

I didn’t like leaving Nadya in someone else’s hands, but Serena had always been good with her. She’d always been a mother in her own right. She was Timur’s wife, but I felt a bond with her that went beyond just family.

Hand in hand, we walked through the front door, instantly smiling at the faint sound of laughter echoing from the living room. Serena was there, sitting on the floor, Nadya nestled in her arms. Her smile melted away the tightness in my chest.

Serena lit up as she looked at me. “She’s been asking for you.”

Nadya reached out for me with chubby hands, her small fingers curling around mine as if she’d been waiting for this moment. I pulled her close, breathing in the scent of her hair, and kissed her forehead.

“Thank you.” I hoped she saw the depths of my gratitude because I doubted that I could repay her back for her kindness.

“Don’t mention it. She’s a joy. Come on, let’s go eat. I’m almost starving, and your brother throws quite the tantrum when he’s hungry.” She directed that at Rafayel.

We thought Timur was away on a trip and hadn’t expected to see him here. But then again, he was always around when his wife hosted something. I admired the kind of love they had but didn’t envy it. Rafa’s version was enough for me.

However, what I didn’t anticipate was the presence of Rafayel’s cousins—a whole damn lot of them.

But more specifically, the one with gray eyes: Ivan.

He stood by the window with his hands buried in the pocket of his pants. A soberness lingered in his gaze. I barely recognized him. The last time our paths crossed, he’d knocked me out, kidnapped me, and…you know how the rest of the story goes.

Now, he looked older, just like Matteo. A bit more refined.

As I made my way further inside, I felt his eyes on me, and a prickling heat rose up the back of my neck. Then, like fate had decided we couldn’t avoid each other any longer, he approached me. Rafayel quietly excused himself, taking Nayda in his arms. And I narrowed my eyes at Ivan, but he didn’t return the glare.

His expression was guarded when he talked. “Leo.”

“Came to knock me out again?” I gave him a raised brow.

He flinched. “On the contrary, no.” He blew out a deep breath. “I want to apologize. What I did…. It was childish and stupid. I was immature.”

I almost didn’t know how to respond, and I wondered if I was imagining it.

Ivan—apologizing?

This version of him was new, unfamiliar. He wasn’t the reckless, cocky man I’d crossed paths with before. His sudden change was impossible not to notice. His tailored suit, the careful control of his words, the way he seemed more at ease with himself…. It was like I was meeting a completely different person.

“There’s something different about you. I’m not buying it. Could be a ploy. Who knows?”

Ivan smiled, and it looked genuine. “I work at Charleston’s.”

That, strangely, tore a laugh out of me, loud enough to catch my husband’s concerned stare. I looked back at Ivan. Whether I liked it or not, this dipshit was family now. The only reason I wouldn’t trust him was if he gave me a solid reason not to. I was letting go, burying the hatchet.

“Well, that’s…shocking. But congratulations are in order.”

“You’re late,” he whispered and then chuckled. “I started a year ago.”

“Still. Congratulations, Ivan. And we’re cool. I guess what happened between us is one of those things about life, isn’t it? And ironically, I owe my happiness to you. As crazy as it sounds, you brought me back to Rafa. So, thank you, I guess.”

His eyes lingered on me for a moment, and I saw something flicker there. Relief, maybe? Whatever it was, I liked it. This new version of him was…intriguing. Gone was the guy who never thought before he acted, replaced by someone who understood his own faults. And somehow, it made him far more dangerous, in a way.

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