Page 20 of An Arranged Virgin for the Bratva

A flash of disappointment crosses her face, but her body is rigid. Strange. She was responsive during the kiss, but there are mixed signals.

Almost like she didn’t know what to do with herself during it.

“Hey,” I ask softly, reaching out for her cheek. “Are you okay?”

She nods, doe-eyed, and places her hand over mine, gently leaning into me.

I think back to what just happened. Her inexperience was evident in the hesitant way she moved her lips against mine, the slight trembling of her shoulders as she kept her hands by her side. And now? She’s leaning into my caress with such comfort.

It's endearing and maddening all at once. My mind races, torn between desire and suspicion. Is this genuine? Or is it another one of her calculated moves?

Sofia pulls back at last, her emerald eyes wide and searching. I see vulnerability there and for a moment, I allow myself to hope that this is real, that she's finally letting me in.

But then a loud banging on the door shatters the moment.

"Sofia! Are you in there?" A man's voice, rough and impatient, calls out.

Sofia freezes in my arms, her face draining of color. The panic in her eyes is unmistakable as she whispers, "It's him."

My protective instincts flare to life. "Who is he, Sofia? What does he want?"

She shakes her head frantically, pressing a finger to my lips. "Please, Vlad. We need to get out of here. Now."

I scan the small room quickly, my eyes landing on a narrow window near the ceiling. Without hesitation, I stride toward it, my decision made. "This way," I whisper urgently, already working to unlatch the window.

Sofia's eyes widen. "Are you serious? We can't—"

"We can, and we will," I interrupt, pushing the window open. The cool night air rushes in, a stark contrast to the stuffy heat of the supply room. "I'll boost you up."

She hesitates for a moment. It's a side of Sofia I've never seen before.

"Trust me," I say softly, holding out my hand.

Sofia's green eyes meet mine, conflict evident in their depths. Then, with a barely perceptible nod, she places her hand in mine.

I lift her easily, marveling at how light she feels. As she scrambles through the window, I can't help but admire her grace, even in this awkward situation.

"Vlad," she hisses from outside, "hurry!"

The pounding on the door grows more insistent. I hoist myself up and out, landing beside Sofia in what appears to be a narrow alley behind the club.

"Are you alright?" I ask, scanning her for any signs of injury.

She nods, then lets out a shaky laugh. "I can't believe we just did that. I feel like I'm in some ridiculous action movie."

I can't help but smile at her unexpected humor. "Well, consider me your dashing co-star. Now, let's get you home before the villains catch up."

As we hurry down the alley, I keep a protective arm around Sofia's waist. She doesn't pull away, and I can feel the slight trembling of her body against mine.

"Sofia," I begin, my voice low and serious, "when we get back, we need to talk about what's really going on."

She tenses beside me but doesn't argue. "Vlad, please," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the distant thrum of the nightclub's music. "Just… not here. Not now. They can’t see me with you."

They?A memory comes back from when I caught her with those thugs in that bar. Could this have something to do with the crew she’s been running around with?

I nod, tightening my hold on her as we emerge onto a bustling street. "Let's get you home safe first. Then we'll figure out the rest."

Chapter 8 - Sofia

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