Page 84 of Untamed

“My family. My place with them.” His mouth tightens, and I glimpse something raw in his eyes. “You.”

My heart beats faster. I know he’s not saying it lightly, and yet, the weight of it…

I tilt my head, forcing a small, defiant smile. “That’s dramatic, even for Mr. Bratvabloodline.”

His eyes darken. “Say the word, Ember, and we turn this plane around. Right now. No gala. No danger. Just us.” It’s not the first time he’s offered this, but…

I swallow hard. “That’s not an option.”

I can’t imagine the trouble he’ll get into, and what’s waiting at home for me? I mull it all over, thinking, wondering…

“You’re thinking too loud,” he says, his voice low and teasing. Even the sound of his voice, all raspy and deep, sends a shiver down my spine.

“I wasn’t aware my thoughts needed approval,” I reply, my voice steady even though his gaze makes it hard to breathe. I’m teasing, though, because I know he is.

His rough hand reaches for mine and holds it. I stare at my small, pale fingers, the nails slightly tapered but unpainted, still in such sharp contrast against his darker, tanned, inked hand and blunt fingertips. It feels oddly symbolic, and I’m not sure what to do about it.

His smirk fades, replaced by something sharper. He leans forward, elbows on his knees, the full force of his attention pinning me in place. “You’re right. You don’t need my permission. But I don’t need yours to keep you close.” His wordsland like a punch, stealing my breath, and for a moment, neither of us moves.

When he speaks again, his voice is softer but no less intense. “You’re mine, Ember. And they’ll all see that.”

Hmm. That’s what he thinks.

Part of me wants this because I’m not immune, but a part of me still balks at his arrogant claims.

Also…All. They’ll all see that.

All who?

My stomach flips. I tell myself it’s nerves. It has to be. But there’s something raw in his gaze that makes me feel stripped bare, and for once, I don’t know what to say.

Instead, I look down at the book in my lap—my favorite kind of escape.

“Gonna read?” he asks, with that signature smirk. “Want me to read it to you?”

“Uh, no. I don’t need you to point out the inaccuracies or poke fun at the dialogue or mock the sex scenes. I love it, and you can go watch YouTube or… analyze a spreadsheet or something.”

Looking at the title, he shakes his head. “Oh god.”

That does make me giggle.

When he gets up to go check in with the flight crew, I use the reprieve to pull out my phone. I open the app, the comforting, familiar routine settling my nerves. I am so overdue for a post, and this is the perfect opportunity.

“Plane reads,” I murmur to myself, holding upThe Bratva’s Own—a title that hits me a bit too close to home—and hit record. The video is simple—just me showing the cover, my voice light and teasing. “Jetting off with my current obsession. Could you say no to this?” I glance at the camera and give a playful wink before ending the recording.

Satisfied, I tuck my phone back into my bag.

Rodion returns just as the pilot announces our descent, his presence immediately commanding the space. His hand brushes the small of my back as I stand, sending a rush of warmth through me. “Nervous?” he asks, his lips close to my ear.

I swallow hard, nodding despite myself.

"Millions listen to you because you’ve got something real to say. You dive headfirst into this fantasy crap because you show women they can own what they want in fictionandin real life." He brushes his lips over my cheek, his voice a low rasp. "Don’t back down from that, beautiful. Own it." And for a moment, with his heat against me and his words grounding me, I almost believe him.

I take in every detail as we get into the back of a car that’s supposed to take us to his family.

“Okay, alright,” I say as if psyching myself up, as I rub my hands down the length of my jeans because the palms are damp. “I can do this.Wecan do this, right?” Just before I start a shoot or a video, there’s a moment of nervous energy, like this time, I’m going to forget how to do this. This time, they’ll all know I’m just a fraud—and when I push past it, I hit my groove. The nerves melt away, and I’m just…me.

I have to do the same now.

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