Page 51 of Plus-Size Curves for the Bratva

"They're not stalking you," I counter, frustration creeping into my tone. "They're protecting you."

"I don't need protection!" she shouts, her stubborn streak flaring. "I can take care of myself."

I clench my jaw, fighting to keep my composure. "This isn't up for debate, Natalia. Your safety is my top priority."

"And what about my privacy? My independence?" She glares at me, her brown eyes flashing with defiance. "Or don't those matter to you?"

Her words cut deep, but I can't back down. Not on this. "Of course they matter. But your life matters more. That store of yours is a threat to your security. I have no idea what kind of people walk in there every day, and ever since you told me about that investor, I’ve been worried further."

Natalia throws her hands up in exasperation. "It’s a store! Of course people are going to visit. You can't control everything, Denis. You can't put me in a bubble and expect me to be happy about it."

I take a step toward her, wanting to pull her into my arms and make her understand. But she backs away, shaking her head.

"Get those guards off my back," she says, her voice softer now but still laced with anger. "I'm your wife, not your prisoner."

The words hang heavy in the air between us. I struggle to find the right response, torn between my need to keep her safe and my fear of pushing her away.

My hands clench and unclench at my sides. I want to explain, to help convince her otherwise. But the words stick in my throat, knowing that it would make no difference to how she sees this.

Just then, the grandfather clock in the hallway chimes, reminding us of our obligations.

Natalia stiffens. “I should go get changed,” she says, turning her back to me. “The family is expecting us for dinner and drinks in less than an hour.”

***

Ten minutes later, we make our way to the car and the silence between us is deafening.

The drive to the family gathering is mercifully short. As we pull up to the brightly lit mansion, the sounds of laughter and music spill out onto the driveway. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the facade we must now present.

"Ready?" I ask, glancing at Natalia.

She nods, a forced smile plastered on her face. "Let's go be the happy couple, shall we?"

I place a hand on the small of Natalia's back, guiding her into my cousin Ivan’s house. She doesn't pull away, but I can feel the stiffness in her posture. To anyone else, we might look like any other couple arriving at a family gathering.

But little do they know.

The moment we enter, Audrey pulls us into a hug. “We’ve been waiting for the new couple, haven’t we Ivan?” she looks at her husband.

Ivan shakes my hand and gives Natalia a kiss on her cheek. “If my cousin bothers you, just say the word,” he tells her, before guiding us forward so they can greet more relatives.

I plaster on a smile as we approach Natalia's brother Nikolai and his wife Anoushka. Nikolai's booming laugh echoes through the room as he spots us.

"There's the happy couple!" he exclaims, pulling Natalia into a bear hug. "Little sister, you're glowing!”

I feel Natalia tense beside me, but her voice is light as she responds, "Oh, you know me, Nik. I'm always glowing."

Anoushka kisses both our cheeks, her eyes twinkling. "Denis, you're taking good care of our Natalia, aren't you?"

"Of course," I reply smoothly, wrapping an arm around Natalia's waist. She leans into me, playing her part perfectly. "She's the light of my life."

My cousins Boris and Lev saunter over, drinks in hand. "Ah, the newlyweds!" Boris grins. "Still in the honeymoon phase, I see. Late as usual.”

“Seriously. Once you’re married long enough, you can’t wait to reach a party early and leave last.”

“Just wait until you get home,” his wife Pippa chides, giving him a playful whack on his shoulder. Lev laughs and puts an arm around her shoulder, giving her a quick kiss.

I force a chuckle, "Every day is like a honeymoon with this one."

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