Page 114 of Brutal Reign

Pavel’s hand rests possessively on my thigh. Every so often, he leans in to comment on the conversation or just to say my name like he likes the taste of it.

“I can’t believe Maxim soaked you in ice water for not sleeping in his bed,” I say to Kira, shaking my head in amazement.

“Oh, don’t worry. I got him back tenfold.” Kira exchanges a saucy look with her husband. “Remember how I made you pay, honey?”

Maxim laughs and hauls his wife into his lap. She squeals but looks more than happy to be in his arms.

“She waited until we were doing a photo shoot for a major magazine,” Maxim explains. “Then she sat her fine ass in my lap and did everything in her power to tease me. I was like a teenage boy, nearly exploded in my pants.”

Groans and chuckles carry around the table, and I find myself laughing along with them, surprised by how easy this feels. These women aren’t the ice queens I expected. They’re funny and warm and surprisingly normal, despite being married to some of the most dangerous men in Russia.

And the men... Well, they’re hard and scary in some ways, but around their women, they are putty.

The sound of rapid footsteps draws our attention, and moments later, Kin appears with Alexei and an older boy I assume is Damien, Kira and Maxim’s eldest son. They’re all flushed and excited from whatever they were playing.

But instead of running to me, Kin makes a beeline for Pavel, launching himself into his lap. “We built the coolest fort upstairs, and Alexei has a remote-control helicopter, and we’re best friends now!”

Pavel grins. “That sounds like a perfect day. Did you have fun?”

“Yes! Can Alexei come over to see my dinosaur collection?”

“Sure he can.” Pavel grins as he smooths Kin’s hair.

Sofiya, sitting beside me, leans closer. “Looks like Pavel’s good with him,” she observes quietly, following my gaze.

“Yeah,” I acknowledge. “He is.”

The easy affection between them makes my throat tight. It’s everything I always wanted for my son but never thought he’d have. And every day, the truth gets harder to hold inside, knowing it has the power to change everything between us.

Kira claps her hands together and rises from her seat. “Alright, kiddos. I think it’s time to move this party to the theater. What do you say we watch a movie?”

“Can I, Mama?” Kin asks.

“Of course you can,” I say, giving his little leg a squeeze.

Kira rounds up the boys, and Kin runs off with his new friends, looking more excited than I’ve ever seen him.

Pavel pulls me onto his lap in one smooth motion, his arms circling my waist possessively. His mouth finds mine. Maybe it’s the drinks I’ve had, but instead of feeling self-conscious, I melt into him.

“You good?” he murmurs against my lips.

I kiss him back, tasting whiskey and something uniquely him. “I am.”

“Told you. They’re not so bad, right?”

I shake my head. “They’re better than ‘not so bad’.”

“If you can stop pawing at your wife for five minutes,” Kira interrupts with a grin, “I would like to steal her.”

“Not sure I can allow that.” Pavel narrows his eyes in mock suspicion. “What are your intentions with my woman?”

One hand lands on her round hip. “I’m going to ply her with more drinks and explain why I nicknamed you grumpfish when we first met. You remember that, don’t you?”

Pavel rolls his eyes, grumbling that he couldn’t forget, just as Sofiya steps back out on the terrace with what looks like a fresh pitcher of something in her hands.

“My homemade margaritas. Ready for the tequila portion of the night?” she asks the women, lifting the pitcher.

“Not exactly.” Liza pouts, holding up her mineral water with a frown.