Page 40 of The Bratva's Prisoner Bride

“This place is fairly special to me,” Ivan began, leaning back slightly in his portion of the booth. “It’s one of the first restaurants we frequented after earning enough money to sustain this kind of lifestyle. The owner knows us well and has no qualms about treating us before anyone else here.”

Even if it wasn’t the biggest reveal of all time, something about him actually revealing that kind of detail from his past intrigued me.

Based on the way he had acted before, seeing a hint of vulnerability in Ivan was almost startling. But at the same time, I didn’t want to waste the moment. I didn’t know how many chances I’d get to see it.

“You must know all the best places around here then.”

Ivan smiled faintly at that and nodded before taking another sip of his champagne. “That’s right…It comes with the territory. It helps that many of the restauranteurs know we bring good or bad publicity, depending on the service we’re given. They like to be on our good side.”

Unsure why, I found myself feeling a bit more curious about Ivan and his family's mark in California and beyond. Really, it should've meant nothing to me, but there was certainly a point of intrigue that came with their empire.

"Does it bother you when they try to suck up for those perks?"

To my surprise, he chuckled at that, seeming a lot more relaxed in his seat than I expected him to be. "Nobody likes a kiss-ass, of course...but when it's done right, the world turns a little easier for everyone involved."

I knew he had a valid point. While my brother was never quite on their level of influence, if anyone did something to dissatisfy him, then everyone knew it. Throwing money and power into that mix only made it worse.

"I can imagine," I replied, well aware that the man across from me was capable of many heinous things, and he could have them carried out at the drop of a hat.

And yet, something about that was intriguing.

I never had power in my life. Aside from knowing how to get onto someone's good side and being able to sway their opinion of me rather easily, I didn't have influence. I barely had autonomy. Yet the thought of being able to make others bow and grovel merely from your presence alone was strangely appealing.

I could see how Ivan let it cloud the way he spoke at times. He was used to it, where I wasn't.

"Like all things, there are downsides," he continued, subtly spinning his champagne flute in its place. "As yousaid...the suck-ups can be nauseating. When you're at the top, vultures and spectators are always waiting for some sort of in. If they're not hoping for your downfall, then they're looking for a way to get a piece for themselves. But, of course, that can sometimes be advantageous."

"That sounds exhausting," I murmured, able to feel that second-hand irritation at the thought alone.

Ivan forced an amused breath through his nose and nodded. "It is...but worth it, at least. I wouldn't be able to bring you here otherwise."

Hearing him vocalize the fact that we were out at a nice restaurant together reminded me of just how intimate the moment was, and the idea settled in my skin.

It was the closest thing we'd had to a date since I was brought to his home, and we were legally married, and something about it made my heart stir.

I tried to tell myself it wasn't a big deal. It was just dinner.

But given how we had sex the night before, and the way he seemed to be trying in the civility department, it was easy to let my mind get away from me.

No part of me wanted to get my hopes up, but if it meant being treated better than a prisoner, I didn't want to jinx it. It almost felt like internally mauling over the moment and thinking too deeply might spook him and ruin it.

Eventually, our food arrived, and fortunately, that awkwardness I was forced to endure the last time we ate together was nonexistent.

Instead, we dug in, and the conversation felt more natural than it had before. Regardless of how I tried to stay guarded, it was disarming, and I didn't mind doing something other than arguing.

"You know, when I first met you in Mexico, I thought about bringing you someplace like this," Ivan began, tone relaxed and sincere. "Things didn't pan out how I initially thought they would, but we ended up here one way or another."

The words caught me off-guard, surprised by what seemed like reverence in his tone. I found myself softening slightly with the absence of his usual smugness, arrogance, and antagonistic habits.

"You did?"

Holding my gaze, not letting his sincerity waver, Ivan nodded. "I did. Even if you didn't ask for it, I figured someone like you should be in a place like this."

Again, I hadn't expected him to say something so genuine...so unprovoked yet meaningful. At first, I didn't know what to say.

Vaguely flustered by the compliment, I reached for something more self-deprecating.

"Would it be disappointing if I said I've never been to a place like this before?"

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