Page 34 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

Vlad snorted. "And since when has that ever stopped you from going after what you want?"

His words hit home, and I felt a familiar resolve settling in my chest. Pippa might be different from any woman I'd known, but that didn't mean I couldn't rise to the challenge. If anything, it made me want to try harder.

"You're right," I said, straightening up. "She's important to me, Vlad. More than I thought possible. But until I figure out what I want, I just need to keep her around."

“You do that,” he said. “But don’t take too long deciding what you want. Good women have a way of tiring from the wait.”

As Vlad clapped me on the shoulder and headed off to bed, I made my way back to my room, my mind whirling from his parting words.

Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, I realized I had a lot to figure out. My feelings for Pippa, how to navigate this new territory of actually caring for someone beyond a fleeting attraction.

How the hell am I going to figure things out?

Chapter 13 - Pippa

I stretched, feeling the stiffness in my muscles. I’d barely slept the last few days—too much uncertainty hanging over me like a fog I couldn’t shake. My phone sat on the nightstand, taunting me. I half-expected a message from work, but I knew better. Abe had told Vlad Vadim what happened, and Vlad insisted I don’t be bothered.

“Ugh,” I groaned and shoved my face in the pillow. I’d been indoors for almost a week now and frankly? I was starting to feel batshit crazy.

"This is temporary," I muttered, and forced myself to lift my head off the pillow. "Just until things blow over."

But even as I said it, something in the pit of my stomach told me that accepting this current situation wasn’t going to be that easy. The Vadims—my so-called family—were in danger, and here I was, tucked away in a mansion living with a man I barely knew. A man who made me alternately want to strangle him and kiss him. Great.

I let out a breath, pushing the gloom away. Time to make the best of this forced vacation. Might as well get to know the estate and find something to do to fill my days since I’d be stuck here for the foreseeable future.

I rummaged through my suitcase, avoiding my usual office attire—those pencil skirts and blouses that screamed: "I'm in charge." Today, I went for leggings and an oversized sweater. Comfort over style. Though I did feel kind of naked without any makeup and my signature red lipstick.

“You’re not at the office, Pippa,” I told myself, grabbing a brush and working through the knots in my hair. “No need for war paint today.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Then, with a soft sigh, I stepped into the hallway. My mind was already buzzing with curiosity. Down the corridor or down the stairs—which way should I go?

“Left it is,” I muttered, playing a quick game ofeeny meeny miny moeand setting off toward the stairs.

The house felt strange—grand, but strange. Like I didn’t belong here. The walls were lined with photos of people I recognized and many I didn’t, and every corner had some kind of ornate vase, each piece whispering to me,you’re not supposed to be here. Yet, somehow, there was a warmth to the place too.

I trailed my fingers along the banister and reached the floor below. As I passed a cozy reading nook by the window, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself, “Well, if only I could find some books.”

A strange impulse came over me to find Abe. He could have told me if they had a library around here somewhere. But the thought of Abe… The one guy in this house I barely knew but somehow felt like Idoknow, took over my mind again. Where was he right now? Doing God knows what for the Bratva, probably. He left for work every morning and the hypocrisy of it didn’t escape me.

Sure, Tony had come after me. But Abe was the one who killed Tony, wasn’t he? He had way more enemies at his heels than I did, and yet he got to go out and work while I was stuck in his home, left to my own devices. Talk about double standards.

I sighed and made my way to the drawing room, sinking into a plush armchair and letting my head fall back. "You’re bored out of your mind, Pippa," I said, trying to shake off the restless feeling gnawing at me. Did I really have to be stuck watching TV all day again?

I missed work. I missed the rhythm of my days, the constant ticking off of tasks. Hell, I even missed dealing with difficult patrons. At least it was something real to focus on.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" a cheerful voice broke through my brooding.

I looked up to see Adley and Emory saunter into the room.

“Oh dear,” I said, straightening in my seat. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

Emory waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense! This house could use some fresh blood. It's been ages since we've had a new face around here."

“Seriously,” Adley added, plonking down on the couch. “The house feels so quiet with the men gone and the kids down for a nap.”

My heart leaped at the prospect of having company.

“I know,” Emory said. “They’ve been gone for what, three days now?”

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