Page 40 of The Bratva's Plus-Size Bride

Anton punches him lightly on the arm. “Don’t make me call Riley over.”

“Have you met our brother, Roman, yet?” Anya asks me. “He’s probably hiding in a corner somewhere. He likes to keep to himself. And did you introduce her to Rigor, Anton? You have to make sure everyone gets a look at her or we’ll never hear the end of it.”

Anton lets out a long, suffering sigh. “I’m afraid she’s probably right. You up for it, El?”

“Of course she is,” Anya replies for me. “They’re not scary, I swear. They just look a little intimidating if you don’t know them. But now you will!”

“Speak of the devil,” Viktor says. “A two-for-one deal. Rigor! Roman! Come meet Anton’s girl!”

Two men glance our way, then stalk over. There’s something dangerous in their stride and brooding looks that sends a fizzle of fear down my spine. I’ve seen it in Anton, too. Predatory. Dangerous. The kind of men who can kill without blinking an eye.

But when they get in range, they grab Anton in a group hug, and the tension eases. Like everyone else here, they’re not what I expect. Especially not when they pull me in for a hug, too.

“So, you’re Ella?” the older one, Rigor, says. He looks me over and nods. “Yeah, I can see that. No wonder Anton’s lost his head.”

“Jesus, Dude,” Anton mutters. “Not helping my game here.”

“What game?” Roman teases, jabbing Anton with an elbow.

Anton groans. “You ready to go, Ella? You wanted to head out right about now, didn’t you?”

I raise my eyebrows. “Nope. Not a chance. I’m doing great right here.”

Because this right here feels like family. The jokes, the closeness, the warmth. I could get used to it. Seeing Anton with them, especially with the kids, unlocked another part of my heart toward him, and I don’t think there’s any closing it back up again. Piece by piece, he’s taken all of me.

Chapter 21 - Anton

“What’d you think of that place?” I ask Ella as we walk back to the hotel, hand in hand.

She looks sun-kissed after all our travels, with a golden blush to her skin that highlights the streaks in her hair. It’s a good reason to take her on vacation, if I needed another excuse. This isn’t a vacation, though; this is business, and I’m riding high. She is, too, if the perpetual smile on her face is any indication.

It’s the second week of our jet-setting trip to explore more locations for Luka’s casino expansions, and we’ve been hitting it out of the park. Without the burden of expectation that comes from trying to establish my own place in this world, I’m able to truly enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

“It was nice, but you know the one I was thinking of…”

“No, Ella. It’s not happening.”

She pulls her hand from mine and stops dead in her tracks. “It’s the best spot. I know you think it’s too dangerous—"

“Because it is. You got attacked there, remember? It’s their turf.” The Abashins. The bastards who hit us at the hotel and nearly wrecked my life by scaring Ella away.

“We don’t know that for sure. They might’ve just been lashing out to scare you off and now you’re giving them what they want? That doesn’t sound like you. You’re holding back because of me, and I’m not going to let my presence get in the way of business. That’s the last thing I want.”

She stares me down, absolutely fearless, and fuck I love this stubborn girl. Even when she’s a pain in my ass. She’s not going to let this go, I can tell from the flash in her eye, and she’sgot a good point. If it weren’t for her, I’d be scoping out that spot right now.

Because I’m an idiot who can’t say no to her, I relent. “Fine. We’ll scope it. But if I get a hint of something suspicious, we’re out, got it? No arguing at that point.”

She nods, suddenly sweet. “Of course. Whatever you say.”

I’m not fooled by the sudden shift. “Promise?”

With a sigh, she relents. “I promise. We’ll go and check it out, but you’re the boss—if something feels shady, we’ll bail. Feel better now?”

“Only a little.” I pinch the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. This could go really badly. Despite my reservations, Ella is looking at me with sparkling eyes and a smile I’ll never do anything to dim, so I call for the car and pray I don’t regret this.

We climb in and take the ride down the coast. The closer we get to the city, the more Ella leans on me, slipping her arm beneath mine and resting her hand on my thigh. I’m not complaining, but I hate that she’s nervous. This was her idea, though, and I have to trust that she knows what she’s doing.

“Where are we headed, exactly?” she asks, pulling away from me for a moment to peer out the window. “To the property or…?”

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