Page 2 of An Arranged Virgin for the Bratva

But it's not just dinner, is it? It's my debut as the rising face of the Zolotov family. A role I never wanted and am not sure I can play.

The car slows to a stop, and I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come.

"Time to face the wolves," I mutter, pushing the door open and stepping into the cool evening air.

***

The gravel crunches under my feet as I step out, my eyes drawn upward to the imposing façade of the Orlov mansion.

"Quite the place," I mutter, shoving my hands in my pockets as I approach the grand entrance. My sister and her husband just moved in here, and it’s the first time I’m stepping foot on the premises.

I walk through the double doors of the entrance only to find the beaming faces of my brothers, Denis and Mark.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence!" Denis crows, slapping me on the back.

Mark chimes in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "We were taking bets on whether you'd actually show up or if we'd find you holed up in your apartment with a bottle of vodka."

I scowl, shrugging off Denis's hand. "Hilarious. I'm here, aren't I?"

"And dressed for a party, too," Mark adds, tugging at my lapel. "Will wonders never cease?"

I bat his hand away, fighting the urge to loosen my tie. "Keep it up, and I'll show you just how 'proper' I can be."

Denis laughs, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Come on, Brother. No need to bare your teeth. We're just happy to see you out of your cave."

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it," I grumble, but I can feel the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. Their familiar banter, as annoying as it can be, is a welcome distraction from the anxiety churning in my gut regarding all the time I’m wasting playing nice when I could be working.

As they lead me further into the mansion's glittering interior, I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, I can survive this night after all.

"Well, well, I thought I heard the sound of grumbling," a melodic voice cuts through our banter. I turn to see Lara, my sister, approaching with a playful smirk on her face.

I roll my eyes but can't help the slight upturn of my lips. "Funny. I thought I heard the sound of meddling."

Lara laughs, linking her arm through mine. "Someone has to keep you in line, Vlad. Now come on, I want you to meet my family.”

I bristle at her words of choice. Even though I know we’re still her family, sometimes, I forget she has a whole other life and forget we’re not heronlyfamily.

While she drags me across the room, I catch sight of our cousins Boris, Damien, and Lev grinning like idiots, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

"Lara, I don't need—" I start, but she cuts me off.

"Hush. It's time you met everyone properly." She pulls me to a stop right next to her husband, Dima, who I quickly shakehands with, and introduces me first to a tall and lean man. "Vlad, this is Fedor Orlov. Fedor, my brother Vladimir."

Fedor's face breaks into a smile as he extends his hand. "Vladimir! It's great to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."

I shake his hand, my grip firm. "Likewise," I reply, my tone neutral. "Though I hope not everything you've heard is true."

Fedor chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Only the good parts, I assure you. Here, let me introduce you to my younger siblings, Artyom and Natalia."

He gestures to a cheerful young woman with dark blonde hair and a younger man with an easygoing demeanor.

I nod to each of them in turn, my posture stiff. "Pleasure," I say, the word feeling foreign on my tongue.

Natalia smiles warmly, so wide that her lips could reach her ears. "The pleasure is ours, Vladimir. We've been looking forward to meeting Lara's mysterious brother."

"Mysterious?" I arch an eyebrow. "I prefer 'private’."

Artyom grins. "Private, mysterious, potato, pot-ahto. Either way, it's nice to finally put a face to the name."

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