Page 56 of An Arranged Virgin for the Bratva

"Never what?" I interrupt, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Never spy on a woman? Never try to manipulate her into marrying you for some agenda you harbor?"

I watch as Vlad's jaw clenches, his hands flexing at his sides. Part of me wants him to lash out, to confirm my suspicions. But he doesn't. Instead, he looks at me with an intensity that makes my heart flutter traitorously in my chest.

"I'm not the enemy here, Sofia," he says softly.

For a moment, I almost believe him. Almost. But I can't afford to let my guard down, not when so much harm has already been done.

Vlad runs a hand through his dark hair, his eyes never leaving mine. "Sofia, I have never had any cause to bring harm to your family," he says, his voice steady yet earnest. "Those photos… they were taken out of concern for your safety, nothing more."

I scoff, crossing my arms tightly across my chest. "My safety?”

My gaze remains unwavering, challenging him to give me a satisfactory answer. I've spent years perfecting this mask, and I won’t let his words break me now, no matter how sincere he sounds.

Vlad takes a deep breath, his broad shoulders rising and falling. "Sofia, from the moment I met you, I—"

He steps closer, and I can smell his cologne—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely him. It's intoxicating, but I force myself to focus.

"The truth?" Vlad's voice drops, intense and raw. “That night after the party, you left without a word, and I couldn’t shake you from my mind. There was a mystery about you I needed to unravel. My men watch over our family and alliances—you were part of that through my sister and your brother. At first, it was curiosity, but then I saw a woman who was clearly involved in something dangerous. I didn't know what, but I couldn't stand by and do nothing. I was worried you’d get in trouble and bring it to our doorstep.”

My breath catches in my throat at his words, the vulnerability and honesty in his eyes making it harder to maintain the I-don’t-give-a-fuck vibe I’m going for. The anger I've carried for so long feels like a heavy cloak, one that suddenly becomes too burdensome to bear.

"I… I didn't know, Vlad." The words slip out before I can stop them, the walls around my heart cracking under the weight of his confession. "I thought you were working against me."

Vlad's eyes soften, a vulnerability I've never seen before etching itself across his features. "Sofia. I would never think of working against you. Why would I? Your brother is family to us.”

His words catch me off guard, and I feel my carefully constructed walls begin to waver.

"Listen," he continues, his voice low and earnest. "When I saw you with these dangerous guys, I wanted to protect you. At the same time, I didn’t want to close any doors on what we could share. I had two choices to keep you safe. I could either go toyour brothers with information of your involvement with these thugs, which would have meant you’d never speak to me again. Or, I could watch over you. The only way I saw to do that was to ask for your hand."

I feel my resolve weakening, the warmth of his words seeping through the cracks in my armor. My eyes search his face for any sign of deception, but I find only sincerity.

"I…" I start, then pause, unsure of what to say. For once in my life, I'm at a loss for words. The usual sassy retort I'd usually have ready dies on my lips.

Inside, a war rages. The part of me that's been hurt, that's learned to keep everyone at arm's length, screams to push him away. But another part, a part I've kept buried for so long, yearns to believe him.

"I swear it’s the truth, Sof," Vlad tries to convince me still, taking another step closer. "I know you don't trust easily, Sofia. But I'm asking you to try."

I take a deep breath, my posture relaxing slightly. "You're right," I admit softly. "I don't trust easily. But… maybe I've been too quick to judge you."

Vlad's eyes light up with a mix of relief and sheer, unbridled joy. He runs a hand through his dark hair, his voice taking on a more earnest tone. "I want you to know, Sofia, that I didn't just sit idly by while we were apart. I continued your work."

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"The Crimson Crew, the gangsters you were after," he explains, his voice low and intense. "My man and I dismantled their entire operation. I used my connections, my resources.I made sure they couldn't hurt anyone else we care about, especially not the Orlovs."

I feel my jaw drop slightly, my mind reeling. "You… you did that?"

Vlad nods, his gaze never leaving mine. "Every last one of them is either behind bars or out of business or been run out of town. I couldn't let your mission go unfinished."

I cross my arms, shock overlapping my senses. All this time, I thought he didn’t care. But he was out there, finishing my work, keeping my family safe. I feel a lump start to form in my throat, a small sliver of guilt defending him against my harsh judgment.

"Why would you do that?" My voice cracks as I try to hold back the wave of sentiments raging over me.

"Because it mattered to you," he says simply. "And that made it matter to me. Because you’re family, and your family is mine to protect."

I uncross my arms, my hands falling to my sides. The anger that's been fueling me is completely dissipated, replaced by a complicated flurry of emotions—admiration, gratitude, and remorse, all mixed together. "I don't know what to say," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

Vlad takes another step closer, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from him. "You don't have to say anything. I just want you to understand that I'm on your side, Sofia. Always."

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