Page 15 of An Arranged Virgin for the Bratva

She steps back, breaking our embrace. The loss of contact is like a physical ache. Sofia's eyes are guarded once more, her posture in control as she smooths down her dress.

"I agreed to this union for my family's sake," she says, her tone clipped. "Nothing more. Don't mistake duty for desire."

I clench my jaw, frustration warring with admiration for her resolve. "You can tell yourself that all you want, Sofia. But we both know there's more here than just duty."

She meets my gaze, her green eyes flashing with defiance. "Believe what you want. It doesn't change anything."

I watch Sofia retreat, her strands of hair swaying with each determined step. My hands clench at my sides, itching to pull her back into my arms. The desire to chase after her, to finish what we started, burns through my veins. But I can't. Not here, not now, with both our families watching our every move.

I don’t want to cause a scene, even though every fiber of my being is urging me to claim her.

As the party continues around us, I keep Sofia in my periphery. She mingles effortlessly, all graceful movements andpolite smiles. But I see the way her eyes dart to me when she thinks I'm not looking, and how much of an effort she makes to ignore me when she knows I am.

"You're staring," Nikolai, Sofia's brother, remarks as he sidles up to me.

I take a swig of vodka. "Am I?"

He chuckles. "My sister's a tough nut to crack. But if anyone can do it, it's you, Zolotov."

I nod, my resolve solidifying. "She may think this is just a paper marriage, but I intend to make it real. Very real."

Nikolai claps me on the shoulder. "Good luck, Brother. You'll need it."

Chapter 6 - Sofia

I bid goodbye to the last of my family and scan the dwindling wedding reception, nerves twisting my stomach into knots. Married. To Vladimir Zolotov. I toy with the heavy diamond on my finger, my eyes drifting to Vladimir across the living room, his commanding presence drawing attention even as he bids goodbye to a group of men.

My heart flutters traitorously, and I clench my jaw, willing myself to regain control.

"Get it together, Sofia," I mutter under my breath. "This changes nothing."

But even as I try to convince myself, the memory of our near-kiss earlier on the dance floor sends a shiver down my spine. I can still feel the ghost of his breath on my lips, the intensity in his dark eyes…

But it canneverhappen again. He might have got his way with this wedding, but that doesn’t mean I’m prepared to give him a marriage.

"There's the blushing bride!" A booming voice snaps me out of my reverie, and I turn to see Vladimir's younger brother, Denis, approaching with a grin, alongside Lara, both carrying fresh drinks.

I force a smile, grateful for the distraction. "Denis, Lara. Enjoying the party?”

Lara raises an eyebrow. "The question is, are you? You look like you're plotting an escape."

My sister-in-law’s perceptiveness unnerves me, but I maintain my cool demeanor. "Just taking a moment to breathe. It's been quite a day."

Denis chuckles. "Wait until you see what the rest of your life’s going to be like. Our brother may be a man of few words, but he's full of surprises."

My pulse quickens. “Oh?” I ask, curious to know if I can learn more about my husband and, by extension, the Zolotovs. “Why? Does Vladimir live an exciting life?”

"Now, now," Lara interjects, shooting Denis a warning look. "Stop scaring her. Though I will say, Sofia, it’s going to be a wild ride."

I file away that nugget of information, determined to use every scrap of knowledge to my advantage. "The Zolotovs seem fond of secrets," I remark, keeping my tone light, wishing they’d tell me more about Vladimir.

Denis’s eyes narrow slightly. "Family trait, I suppose. But you're one of us now, aren't you?"

Before I can respond, I feel a presence at my back, a warm hand settling on my waist. Vladimir's deep voice rumbles near my ear. "Trying to corrupt my wife already?"

I stiffen instinctively but force myself to relax into his touch. It's all part of the act, I remind myself.

Lara laughs. "We wouldn't dream of it, Brother. Just welcoming Sofia properly."

---