Page 22 of The Bratva's Virgin Bride

“You mean until you came along,” Anya corrects me.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Viktor doesn't just go around marrying every damsel in distress. I've never seen him so worried about someone. It's sweet.” She glances out the window. “I hope I find that one day.”

“Oh, Anya, Viktor only married me to protect me. We're not actually a thing…“ I trail off.

“That's what you both say, but I think differently. But let's agree to disagree. Tell me about what you're studying.” Anya gives me this weird knowing smile and I don't say anything further. I don't want to upset or offend her. I know that Viktor and I have nothing between us, and that's all that matters.

Unless he's said something to her that I don't know about?

We arrive at the mall, and I glance around nervously.

“We're safe, don't stress,” Anya says, getting out. “This is a mall I come to all the time.”

“It seems very high-end,” I say.

“It is,” she responds. “Only the best for my new sister.”

I think about Viktor and all the high-end designer clothes he's bought me. They're not very comfortable, but he insists I wear them. I frown and Anya pauses. “Something wrong?”

“Yes, everything is fine. After we're done here, can we go to like a regular store and get some comfortable clothes to wear around the house?”

Anya laughs. “You're determined. I'll give you that. Sure, I like to annoy my brother. He said designer only.”

“Well, unfortunately, that's not going to happen,” I say.

We link arms again and march into the mall. Anya is exhausting. Not only does she not stop talking for a minute about her family, her friends back in Russia, and the fact she is so sheltered, but she makes me try on every single outfit we pass in every single store. I think I've tried on a thousand things by the time we reach the end of the mall. “Right. The Gap is on the other side of the mall where the not-so-high-end stores are. We can stop there for some of your so-called comfortable clothes.”

I look at her thankfully, and then glance at the bodyguards with us. The two, whose names I don't know, are carrying our bags, and Martin is keeping an eye on us and our surroundings. “Shouldn't we carry our own things? So they can protect us.”

“They'll drop them to protect us. Besides, I just got a manicure,” she grins. “I'm a spoilt brat. I know. I can't believe I'm letting you drag me into a Gap.”

“I can't believe there's a Gap in this mall with all these high-end places,” I retort with a snort.

“Like I said, it's got its own place.” She grins and we link arms and bounce together through the mall. I won't lie. I feel a lot lighter than I have in a long time, though I don't feel quite as safe as when I'm with Viktor.

We walk into the store, and I head straight to the tracksuits, picking out a few. Then I move on to jeans and then T-shirts. Anya looks appalled by my choices, and I can't help the grin I have. “This is the good shit,” I tell her.

“I'll have to take your word for it. The jeans look kind of nice, though. I won't lie.”

“They are so comfortable. Try on a pair.”

She searches through a rack and pulls out her size. Once we have collected enough clothes for me, we go to the changing rooms for her to try on the jeans. She comes out with them on and squeals. “Oh my God, you are so right. These are beyond comfy and they make my ass look so good.”

“Never doubt me,” I say with a giggle.

“I'm getting three pairs,” she says, marching back to the rack. “I'm leaving these on.”

I wait for her, and once we have everything, we go to the cashier to pay. We walk out with seven bags and I grin. “Wait until you shop at Walmart. It's cheap and comfy.”

“I would never,” she gasps, mocking me. “But maybe we can stop at one on the way home.”

“You better believe it. Martin,” I say to the guard. “We'll need to stop at the best Walmart you know on our way home.”

“Yes, Mrs. Milov,” he says with a nod.

Chapter 11 - Viktor

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