Page 61 of The Bratva's Prisoner Bride

While I knew I needed to be something of a guiding light for her even I couldn’t deny the uncertainty that swirled in my chest. Even so, I wouldn’t let her know that.

Since there was nothing to hide anymore, I didn’t feel the need to hold her back from those family outings. She was with me, which meant everyone would have to work something out eventually, regardless of their personal feelings on the matter.

Aleks was the first to fully acknowledge us with a nod of his head. “Nice of you to show up.”

Silently telling myself to keep my cool and that they were still my siblings at the end of the day, I guided Daria to her seat and carefully pushed her in before finding my own beside her. “We had a scan late this afternoon that put us back.”

While everyone seemed somewhat cagey about Daria being at the table with us, the slight nudge towards her pregnancy seemed to cool off some of that tension.

Mila smiled as she sipped her wine. “That’s right…congratulations, by the way. Both of you. It’s hard to believe another one of my brothers figured out how to procreate.”

As a whole, we scoffed while she chuckled to herself, looking far too pleased.

Lev shook his head with a hint of disapproval. “Really? We just started our meal, you know.”

“It’s never too early or too late to get a few jabs in, especially when Mila’s around,” Nik added, amused by her antics.

“Don’t encourage her,” Aleks said, although his warning lacked any real bite.

She shrugged, not caring too much either way. “I have to stay sharp around you guys somehow.”

It was true that Mila often had her work cut out for her when it came to dealing with us, but at the very least, she was used to it.

As the ice at our table seemed to melt for the most part, aside from Olivia, who was silent and didn’t even look in Daria’s direction, the mood lightened, much to my relief. Our food eventually arrived, and it felt like a regular dinner before long.

I could tell that Daria was still on edge and likely felt out of place surrounded by my family, but I caught her pulling the occasional smile, and the others did their best to address her, asking the odd question to include her. Mila, in particular made sure she was heard throughout the meal, who seemed to take a liking to her.

It all felt a bit strange, especially knowing she was tied to me, and my siblings were all aware of it at last. Yet, I’d be the first to admit it felt good to not have anything left to hide. And to know that with time, it was bound to get easier.

Hopefully with time, even Olivia’s frigidity could warm up again.

By the end of it, Daria looked more relaxed while we said our goodbyes and returned to the SUV waiting for us. I caught her discreet exhale as we sat together in the back while the driver began for the house.

“That went better than expected,” I murmured, glancing to find her less tense expression.

Her lips pulled slightly with her nod. “It did…I can’t say I made any progress with Olivia, but everyone else was nice.”

“I’m glad you didn’t have an awful time,” I mused with the faintest tease to my voice while my hand found her half-covered thigh. My thumb ghosted gently across her smooth skin. “You seemed to handle everything well.”

Daria relaxed into my touch, seemingly soaking in the light affection. “I’m glad it looked that way, at least…I was freaking out on the inside a bit.”

Amused by her vulnerable claim, I grinned to myself and gave her thigh a gentle squeeze before using my free one to slowly run the back of my finger down her cheek. My eyes roved over her features, taking in how effortlessly beautiful she looked. “You looked as calm and cool as ever…and immaculate too.”

Her dark eyes softened at my words, and she gently leaned into me as if seeking out whatever comfort I could provide her. “It's the pregnancy hormones…”

Humming, I smiled at her and cupped her cheek. “They may play a part, but the base of that beauty comes from you alone. Either way, I couldn’t take my eyes off you…I still can’t.”

I wasn’t used to being so mushy and meaning it, but with her, it felt so easy. It was so simple, and I was addicted to everything that had to do with her.

With her gaze lingering on me, visibly affected by my proximity and touch, there was no hiding the faint shiver that coursed through her. “You’re shameless sometimes…”

Chuckling, I stroked her cheek and pulled her closer to speak against her lips, “For you, always.”

At the quiet hitch of her breath, I closed that small space between us and melded my mouth with hers. Eyes closing, I drank in how perfectly soft her lips always felt beneath mine and how easily she surrendered to it.

While my hand gently squeezed her thigh, her hand wandered to my neck, sending a ripple of sensations through me and down to my core.

That was all it took for my cock to stir in my pants, straining against the material while I angled my head to deepen the kiss further.

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