Page 78 of An Arranged Virgin for the Bratva

I excuse myself from Peter, who barely notices my departure, still flustered by the charming waitress. My eyes follow her retreating form as she weaves through the crowd. Without drawing attention, I make my way to a secluded alcove near the back of the ballroom.

The waitress is already there, her back to me. As I approach, she turns, and I'm met with those unfamiliar blue eyes—her contact lenses. Sofia's natural blonde hair—no longer hidden behind the chestnut wig—spills over her shoulders as she removes the hairpiece.

"Quite the performance, my love," I murmur, reaching out to tuck a stray strand behind her ear.

Sofia's eyes sparkle with excitement. "Vlad, I did it!" she whispers, her voice tinged with pride. "The bug is planted. That fool Peter didn't suspect a thing."

“To be honest,” I admit. “I didn’t either.”

“Oh, I know,” she flicks her hair over her shoulder with pride. “I was watching you scan the room for a good portion of the last hour. Honestly? It was entertaining.”

“Oh, you,” I growl, grabbing her by the waist and bringing her closer to my body. God, she’s a sexy beast in that uniform.

"You were magnificent," I praise, my chest swelling with admiration. "Peter didn't stand a chance against your charms."

She grins, a rare display of unbridled joy. "He was putty in my hands. Can you believe he's one of our biggest rivals? The way he stammered, you'd think he'd never spoken to a woman before."

I laugh, but a part of me tenses at the thought of other men falling for Sofia's act. "Just remember who you come home to at the end of the night," I growl playfully, pulling her even closer.

Sofia rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "As if I could forget, you brute," she retorts, her tone softening despite the sarcastic edge.

I run my fingers along the edge of her waitress uniform, feeling the cheap polyester beneath my touch. "You know, these little missions of ours are becoming quite the habit," I muse, my voice low. "Who would've thought the Ice Queen and the Recluse would make such an effective team?"

She leans into me, her warmth seeping through the thin fabric. "Certainly not me," she admits. "But I must say, I'm starting to enjoy our covert operations. It's… exhilarating."

I nod, understanding completely. "It's a rush, isn't it? The danger, the secrecy. And knowing we're protecting our families in the process."

Sofia's eyes darken slightly, a reminder of the weight we both carry. "Yes, that's the most important part," she agrees solemnly.

I can't help but tease her, hoping to lighten the mood. "Though I must say, this outfit is an unexpected bonus," I growl,my hands trailing down her sides. "You're driving me wild, woman."

She quirks an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh? And here I thought you preferred me in designer gowns, not polyester uniforms."

I lean in close, my breath hot against her ear. "I prefer you in anything… or nothing at all."

Sofia's breath hitches, and I feel a surge of satisfaction that I can still affect her the way she does me. She pulls back slightly, her green eyes meeting mine with an intensity that makes my heart race.

"Vlad," she whispers, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "I don’t think I say this enough, but… I love you. Truly."

The words hit me like a freight train, as though she’s saying it for the first time, even though I’ve heard it every single day. “I love you too,” I say, cupping her face in my hands, my thumbs tracing her cheekbones. "More than I ever thought possible."

A rare, genuine smile lights up her face, and I'm struck by how beautiful she is in this moment. Not just physically but also in her vulnerability, her trust in me.

"Well," she says, her usual sass returning, "now that we've gotten that out of the way, what do you say we find somewhere a bit more… private?"

I grin, already scanning the room for an exit. "I thought you'd never ask, my love."

With a quick glance to ensure no one's watching, I take her hand and lead her toward a secluded hallway. The thrill of our mission, combined with the excitement of our shared confession, has my blood pumping. As we slip away from theparty, I can't help but think how much my life has changed since Sofia entered it

And how grateful I am for every moment.

*****

THE END

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