Page 24 of Forced Prisoner By the Bratva

His eyes squinted ever so slightly, never leaving mine, and we held each other's gazes for a while. This was an opportunity to look deep into his eyes and search for closure—anything at all to help me understand him. But as usual, I found nothing new; I couldn't get a read on him.

His eyes bore into mine, and then I saw it in a flash—a spark of passion flickering in their depths. My breathing steadied for a moment as I caught a glimpse of his expression softening slightly.

The air was thick with tension, and I couldn't deny how drawn I was to him. It was like there was a magnetic force pulling me to him, and the more I resisted, the faster my heart raced.

What was happening to me? A flame ignited in me, spreading heat waves across my body as I stood transfixed, rooted on the spot. Those green eyes were enchanting, captivating, and I couldn't bring myself to look away. But when I eventually did, my gaze dropped to his lips—all chiseled perfection—making me wonder what it would be like to feel them on mine.

Erik's suit was a work of art, a masterpiece of tailoring that accentuated his broad shoulders and powerful physique. His dark hair, as always, was styled to perfection, neatly combed with not a single strand out of place.

“Tessa?” A familiar female voice called my attention, saving me from the intensity of the moment.

My brows arched, a broad smile spreading across my face as I set eyes on the speaker. Her curvy, plus-size frame was accentuated by the stunning red dress that hugged in the right places. Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders like a river of gold, and her fair skin seemed to simmer in the lights.

A chuckle escaped my lips, mirroring the pleasant surprise on my face. “Ravyn?”

She glided over to me, her heels against the fine floor, her arms spread wide open. “Oh, my God, I wasn't expecting to see you here.” She slipped into my embrace, her warmth enveloping me.

“Yeah, me, neither,” I replied, my voice laced with the same enthusiasm in hers.

We let go, each one smiling broadly, eyes locked together in a moment of excitement.

“What're you doing here?” we asked in unison, our tones rising in perfect sync.

Silence fell between us for about two seconds before we chorused, “Jinx.” Then, we added, “Jinx again!”

I felt lighter than a feather as I laughed wholeheartedly, my tension and anxiety fading away.

Ravyn and I used to do this a lot back in high school. We used to be so in sync that we mastered the art of finishing each other's sentences. Back then, it was like no one else knew us better than the two of us.

That was how close we were until life happened, and we drifted apart. I hadn't seen her in forever until last year when we met at a gathering like this one.

“Hello, Erik,” Ravyn greeted him with a warm smile.

“Ravyn,” he replied, mirroring her gesture with a courteous nod.

Confusion set in, and my eyes squinted. I shifted my gaze across the two of them, puzzled by their air of familiarity. “You two know each other?” I asked.

“Yes. He's my husband's brother,” she answered, retaining her smile.

“Your husband's….” My voice trailed off as I struggled to understand what exactly was going on.

Lev Tarasov approached us, his presence commanding attention. He tucked his phone into his pocket and wrapped his arm around Ravyn's waist.

Wait, what?I thought, unable to find my voice.

“Good evening, Tessa. I see you've met my wife.” His lips curled into a smile, his palm brushing over her arm.

Ravyn's cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkled with mirth before a flicker of confusion flashed across her face. “Wait, you know Tessa O'Brian?” She looked at her husband, curious.

“Actually, it's Tessa Tarasov now,” Erik chipped in, his possessive arm around my waist.

Rayvn's eyes widened slowly, and her brows jerked up in surprise. “No way!”

“Yes, way!” I mirrored her tone, except with a little less enthusiasm.

She faced her husband, her voice laced with excitement. “I swear, I didn't realize the Tessa you were talking about was my friend. What a small world. Am I right?”

Ravyn seemed different from the last time I saw her. She seemed happier and maybe even more fulfilled now. But the biggest shock was the fact that she was married to a Tarasov.

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