Page 23 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

After what feels like the longest day of my life, I walk back into my home and look around. It doesn't look like Anya and Riley are back yet. She's only been here barely a week and I already notice her absence. Strange that. I go to my office on the second floor and pour myself a whiskey. Riley is driving me insane. She is just so delectable. I'm starting to wish we did share a bed. I picture her naked and I clear my throat. The thought of her writhing under me is so tempting, but I know that's not what she wants. She just wants to be safe, that's all she asks for and I'll provide that for her.

I go over some reports as I sip my whiskey and I hear them from outside when they arrive, squealing with laughter. I'm glad Anya showed Riley a good time. She deserves to be happy. She's wound so tight it's nice to hear her laughter and imagine her relaxed. I close my laptop and down my whiskey, going to the stairs. I can hear them downstairs, but I'm not entirely sure where they are. I descend the stairs and glance around.

The living room.

I walk in and smile. “Welcome back. Did you spend all our money?”

I look at the various bags on the sofas. “We tried,” Anya laughs. “Wait until you see what we bought.”

Riley looks at me with a naughty smile and I raise an eyebrow. “What did you buy?”

Riley skips behind the fancier bags and pulls out a plastic bag with GAP written on the side. She starts to pull out T-shirts and tracksuits. She picks up another bag and pulls out some jeans. “Clothes,” she says.

There's a moment of silence before I burst out laughing. She deliberately rebelled against what I said. She has spunk, I'll give her that. Riley is full of surprises, and I never know what to expect. I suppose, in a way, I should have expected this. She's been going on about her clothes since she arrived. Her personality is so robust though and it's so attractive. Sure, she's timid quite a lot of the time, but when that feisty side comes out to play I'm highly amused.

Anya hugs Riley tightly. “Thanks for coming shopping with me, Riley. I had a blast. We must do it again soon. Next time, we'll get our nails done.”

“Deal,” Riley says, hugging Anya back.

Anya comes over to me and kisses my cheek, “I'll see myself out, Viktor.”

“You do that, Anya,” I growl playfully.

I look at all the bags and look at Riley. “Did you have fun?”

“Yeah,” she admits. “Your sister sure does talk a lot, and she's really busy.”

“Yes, she is. She's always up in everyone's business, or at least tries to be. We don't really let her get involved with family affairs. We're somewhat protective of her. She's led a very sheltered life. She has an idea of what we do but doesn't know the details.”

“Neither do I, and I prefer it that way.” Riley starts to pick up her bags.

“Do you want help to carry this all to your room?” I ask.

“I can manage,” she says, smiling at me. “I wouldn't want you to get infected by touching commoners' clothing.”

“Oh, ha-ha,” I say.

“What's so funny?” Anton asks from behind me. I groan and turn around.

“What are you doing here?”

“I heard I have a new sister-in-law,” Anton says, his eyes sparkling. He means trouble and I'm not in the mood for it. I'm instantly irritated because I know it was Roman who called him to check on me.

“It's no one's business. Anya's already been here. You're not needed.”

Riley looks between us, and Anton extends his hand. “Ignore my rude brother. We've met but only briefly. I'm Anton Milov.” Riley shakes his hand and smiles.

“Twins, huh? So there's double the trouble in my life?” She glances at me.

Anton quickly steps in front of her. “I'm the better one of the two of us. The younger one as well.”

“By a minute,” I point out. “It's not that much of a difference.”

“Oh, but we are completely different,” Anton chuckles. “My brother didn't tell me he was marrying such a beautiful girl. How did someone as amazing as you land up with this riff-raff?” he asks flirtatiously.

“He rescued me, I guess,” Riley says, blushing slightly. I could strangle Anton right now. “If you'll excuse me, I'm sure you two need to talk and I need to go repack my closet.”

I watch her leave and I turn to Anton. “I should punch your lights out.”

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