Page 69 of The Russian's Kidnapped Bride
“That’s comforting,” I say, somewhat sardonically.
She just laughs to herself. “I know how my brothers can be, and I know how complicated their lives are. Hell, I’m not even involved in all the big stuff, and my life is the same. But I also know that they can all be fiercely protective of the people they care about, and I know Mikhail is looking forward to this.”
“I know,” I murmur, not doubting that fact for a moment. “He hasn’t stopped smiling all night.”
“So try to have a little more faith in him. Let him carry some of that burden and try to enjoy it as best as you can, even when it’s hard,” Elena offers softly, putting a caring hand on my shoulder. “We don’t always get to stop and enjoy things for long, but when we do, it makes everything else feel worth it. We’re happy to have you here, Lily. For better or worse, you’re one of us.”
There’s something both comforting and unnerving in that, but I find myself nodding and pulling a small smile anyway.
I’ve been a Lukov by law for some time, but it hasn’t fully sunk in until now. At least, I haven’t truly felt like one ofthem. But seeing that sincerity in her eyes makes me look at it differently.
A bark of laughter comes from the private area, causing me to look towards his brothers. Ivan and Sergey are speaking to a woman standing between them, but my gaze drifts over to Mikhail, and that’s when I see them.
Three women hover near him. One has a hand on his arm and laughs a little harder than necessary. The two others look up at him like they’re hanging off his every word. Their dresses are far tighter and more revealing than mine, and their interest is obvious.
He doesn’t push them away immediately, and something prickles in my chest.
That’s when a dark thought creeps in, sparking a different kind of hurt in me.
This whole time, I’ve been so busy worrying about school and struggling to adjust to being Mikhail’s wife that I never stopped to consider what could happen behind the scenes. What he could be up to during those long hours away from home—who he could be with.
Someone in his position, with his money and authority, could do whatever he wanted. He could have whoever he wanted. Given how those women look at him, he would have more than enough takers.
The thought leaves a sour taste in my mouth, and my heart rate picks up in my ears.
Looking away, I can’t stomach how it affects me. How he affects me. I don’t want to care, and I certainly don’t want to be the jealous type, but I can’t help it.
Along the way, I’ve come to care. I do care.
“I’ll be right back. I need to use the washroom,” I murmur to Elena, who doesn’t stop me. She just nods with a smile before heading back to the private area.
Left alone, I hurry out of sight and reach the hallway.
It’s quiet and dimly lit but offers me the chance to pause and take a breath. At least, I try to, all while pulling in shallow breaths.
I never used to be this way. I never used to get jealous quite this easily, and I certainly wouldn’t have cared.
But I touch my stomach gently while looking at myself in the mirror. The child growing inside me changes everything, whether I want it to or not.
And the thought of Mikhail giving anyone else attention in that way...it hurts more than I care to admit.
Leaving the washroom, I urge myself to pull it together and not crumble under the pressure.
But before I can return, I catch the sound of heavy, purposeful footsteps to my right.
Glancing down the hall, I find two men standing there. At first, I assume they’re Lukov men keeping an eye on me, but as I look a bit closer, I realize I don’t recognize any of them. Their suits seem expensive, but they’re ill-fitting and not half as neat as Roman’s usual employees.
They look at me with hard expressions, not neutral or stoic.
On my left, someone else approaches, and he pulls a grin while he looks me over. It lacks all kindness and warmth.
“Can I help you?” I ask, taking a small step back.
Nobody answers, and nobody moves a muscle.
Immediately, dread unfurls in my gut, and I have nowhere to go. Not when they’re surrounding me on both sides. And they’re all staring, gazes fixed on me.
That dread only gets worse until it boils over into panic. That sinking feeling tells me everything I need to know.
