Page 37 of The Bratva's Arranged Bride

“Yuri,” I grumbled under my breath, growing more irritated with him the longer I had to brave his amusement. “She doesn’t need a dog…take it to the pound or something.”

“Since when did you become such a stickler, hm? She won’t like it, you know.”

Opening my mouth to snap at him, I closed it again the moment I heard the squeak of a toy from the living room, followed by Tia’s surprisingly cheerful tone.

“Come here, Bear!”

My expression dropped, well aware that wasn’t a good sign. I watched as the mutt scampered into the next room over before glancing at Yuri.

“Shenamedit already?”

His triumphant grin gleamed back at me, and he nodded. “She absolutely did. Good luck!”

Sighing, I massaged the bridge of my nose and muttered, “Remind me to never let you take her out again.”

Yuri laughed and reached for his keys, grabbing his jacket to swing it over his shoulder. “Noted. Although I might have to fight you on that. I actually had a good time.”

I wanted to strangle him. But that was nothing new.

Forcing out another breath, I followed the sound of Tia’s laughter and the faint squeaking of toys while Yuri trailed behind me.

I was more than ready to blow up and tell her every reason why we needed to get rid of it—ready to become even more of a villain in her eyes.

But the second I approached the living room and hovered in the doorway, I caught the vibrant smile on her face. The way she looked so content while playing with the dog, almost like she had been given the greatest gift, stopped me in my tracks.

I didn’t want to admit it, but there was almost something infectious about her happiness.

It was…nice.

That wasn’t much of a surprise, of course, given that it was Tia. But to my dismay, I could already feel something stirring in me.

“Do I even want to ask?” I questioned, lifting a brow at her while I entered the room.

Tia paused, and a flicker of hesitation moved through her eyes at first. Then, somewhat sheepishly, she murmured, “Yuri supported the idea…”

“Oh, I know he did,” I uttered, throwing another glare in his direction. “And he’s lucky I’m restraining myself…”

“He’s well-behaved for a stray, and he seems very comfortable here,” she said, letting another smile slip while the dog happily jumped into her lap.

“I’m sure he is…”

“Can we keep him? Please?” Tia asked, picking the dog up and turning it to face me, giving me her best pleading eyes. “Just look at this face.”

Deadpanning at her, I was at a loss.

“Please, Val?” Yuri echoed in a teasing tone, still annoyingly getting way too much satisfaction out of it.

I gave Yuri a scalding look to try and stop him from making the situation worse, but it only made him laugh to himself.

“He’ll be on his best behavior,” Tia added, giving the stray a gentle pat on the head after letting it go.

I wanted to say no. I should’ve said no.

But I sighed. “Fine…but we’re going to put something out there to make sure it doesn’t already have an owner. If it does, it’s gone.”

Tia brightened again, making something twist in my chest. “Thank you!”

While she continued playing with the mutt, who did indeed look incredibly happy to be receiving all that attention, I couldn’t help but feel the faintest hint of satisfaction myself.

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