Page 39 of Bound to the Bratva
Feeling exhausted from the day’s events, Malia lets out another yawn. “I don't know about you guys, but I could use some rest. Let’s call it a night.”
I nod in agreement, eager to get some time alone with my wife and make sure she’s okay. “Of course. Follow me and I’ll show you all to your rooms.”
With grunts of agreement and nods, I lead them upstairs to their respective rooms. Despite the exhaustion weighing heavily on me, I can’t just go relax or to bed like the rest of them are.
I need to get back to my wife and see how she’s really coping with all of this.
I make my way back downstairs into the living room. My steps are heavy against the hardwood floor. Aria’s curled on the leather sofa, a throw blanket draped over her dress, her jet black hair spilling over the armrest. She looks up as I approach, her ice gray eyes weary.
I sink down beside her, speaking gently. “How are you feeling, darling?” I brush a stray lock of hair from her forehead. Her skin is warm and soft beneath my fingertips.
There’s an intense moment we stare into each other’s eyes before she finally speaks up.
Aria sighs, surprisingly leaning into my touch. “I’m okay. It’s just...been a lot to process. This isn’t how I imagined the day going at all. I thought we’d be two sheets to the wind by now.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, but she adds a laugh on at the end.
I nod, my jaw tightening. What happened today flickers through my mind—the gunshots, the blood, the need to get her the fuck out of there before she was hurt. Protecting her from harm came second nature to me, and I’d damn well tear apart anyone who dares to threaten or harm her.
I run my hand along her leg, feeling the plushness of the blanket. “I know, Aria. Neither one of us imagined it going like this.”
I want to pull her into my arms, cradle her against my chest, but I don’t know if she’d be receptive to that right now.
She breathes in deeply and sighs, almost as if she’s reading my mind. She throws her legs over the edge of the couch and comes closer. Aria melts into me, fitting perfectly, and for a moment I wonder if she knows we can make this work.
Sure, this was all arranged. She was forced into this, but just because we were led to the aisle doesn’t mean we can’t fall in love with each other.
I breathe in the sweet scent of her hair, feeling the tension slowly drain from her body. She’s a beautiful, brave woman, and I’m damn lucky to have her by my side.
The vows we made in the church aren’t the only vows we’re making today.
I promise to protect her from any harm, no matter what it takes.
A deep silence fills the space until she looks up at me. Her eyes are glistening with unshed tears. “I was terrified, Maxim. I…I thought I was going to die.”
She grasps my dress shirt and my heart clenches at hearing the fear in her tone.
I cup her face in my hands, stroking my thumb over her cheekbone in a reassuring manner. “That will never happen. I will always shield you, keep any harm from coming near you, fend off every enemy. You’re my wife, Aria, and that means it’s my job to protect you.”
Slow, thick tears slip down her cheeks and I wipe them away slowly, allowing her this time for her emotions to come out.
A lot of men would walk away, or would berate their woman for crying in front of them, but not me. I know it’s healthy to release your emotions.
Aria nods, a small smile curving her lips. “I probably wouldn’t have thought so before, but I know you will. Oddly enough, I trust you. I hardly know you, but from what I’ve seen since knowing you…there’s a good man under that tough and dominating exterior.”
Well, that’s a compliment if I’ve ever heard one.
I capture her mouth in a searing kiss, pouring all of my devotion, and fierce need to protect her into the press of my lips against hers.
She responds eagerly, running her hands along the back of my head, rolling her fingertips in my hair.
In this moment, nothing else matters to me. Not the danger that lurks outside, not the enemies who are trying to destroy us. All that matters is the genuine connection I’m forming with my wife.
It’s a bond forged in blood, in the depths of our souls. A bond that can never be broken. She doesn’t realize what it means to be the queen of the Bratva, but there will be a time when she will, and I know she’ll do a damn good job.
Aria pulls back from our kiss, her eyes glancing over the rich wood tones and exposed brick of the condo. “I can’t believe you bought this place for us. It’s incredible, Maxim. Not to mention beautiful, too.”
I shrug, a small smile tugging at my lips. “You're my wife, Aria. I wanted to have something that’s ours, and it was a bonus that it’s so close to the hospital.”
Aria’s eyes soften as she furrows her brows, “You really do know how to surprise me, Maxim.”
