Page 8 of The Bratva's Arranged Bride

“So, you’re an artist then?”

Tia’s eyes brightened for a moment at the mention of it, and she nodded. “Trying to be one, anyway.”

Everything seemed to make more sense then…she was an artist, and obviously had no problem with expressing herself, regardless of those around her.

I hummed to myself. “Quite a few art pieces are going up for auction tonight…that should hold your attention, right?”

She crossed her arms, seemingly not entirely impressed with the thought of being there, while also giving away a hint of curiosity. “It might be a redeeming part of the evening, but I won’t get ahead of myself yet.”

“And if you find something you like, I’m sure your dad wouldn’t mind coughing up the funds,” I murmured with a slight grin, allowing a teasing lilt to accompany it. “It’s for a good cause, after all.”

Tia threw me an incredulous look. “I’m here as a favor, not to shop…and that’s the last thing I need.”

“What, for him to assume you’re actually interested in something like this?”

More irritation flooded her words. “Something like that.”

I couldn’t tell if it was the fact that she was still entertaining the conversation at all or the way she pushed back against me without fawning like most others would have by now, but either way, I was completely locked in. She could talk about the most mundane thing on earth, and I’d still be perfectly enraptured.

There was something about being around her…Something I didn’t want to end.

“A humble artist surrounded by vapid elites with nothing better to do than spend money to prove they have it—you might just be a rare gem, Tia.”

She seemed surprised by my words, and a delicate flush of pink moved through her cheeks again. Then she huffed dismissively.

“Don’t say that like it’s an accomplishment.”

Chuckling to myself, I felt my cheeks start to ache from grinning down at her. “It is an accomplishment. Not many can reach in a place like this.”

A slight fluster settled over her as she glanced away, almost impatiently, like she was waiting for Andrey to return to save her…and it only pulled me in more.

To hell with Andrey and the rest of the gala. I wouldn’t mind my night being filled with a lot more ofher.

Chapter 4 - Tia

I’d be blind to claim Val was unattractive.

He was gorgeous, in fact…to the point where I couldn’t tell if it was supposed to be some kind of cruel joke.

And I definitely didn’t miss the fact that my dad just so happened to leave me with him. He wasn’t as slick as he thought.

The gala was boring from the start, but that wasn’t much of a surprise. I already knew that would be the case, and we still had longer to go, to my dismay.

But at the very least, Val was easy on the eyes with his neatly groomed, yet somehow roguishly handsome looks. Despite the low-effort style of his brown locks, it looked good anyway, and the meticulously trimmed edges of his stubble gave away the fact that he cared to at least some degree.

He seemed to tread a delicate line between giving his appearance no thought and actually trying, which he managed to pull off.

It was almost annoying to see for myself just how striking he was—how it was hard to look at him, yet even harder to look away.

Val struck me as someone who could look good wearing anything, and that was especially true about his suit. It hugged his broad shoulders yet narrow waist and looked perfectly tailored to his body. All of it gave off an air of easy control veiled by a ruggedness unique to him.

Above all else, those eyes were enough to fully claim my attention, despite how I wanted to look anywhere else.

They were a soft green, rimmed with a darker shade and lit up with interest while he spoke. His gaze felt intense, yet oddly understanding, like he was genuinely trying to see me, not the layer of glamor that felt far from my usual self.

I didn’t want to admit how they pulled me in, or how I couldn’t focus on anything else but him.

Something in me didn’t want to give him that satisfaction. Not when I had the feeling he garnered praise and attention from others as easily as breathing.

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