Page 33 of Forcibly Sold to the Bratva (Zolotov Bratva #14)

I come back home and head straight to my bedroom.

God, I’m exhausted after this long meeting with the Sokolovs and my family.

Honestly, every time we meet, I feel like pulling out my hair.

We’re always arguing, but at least now, none of us threatens to kill each other.

At least that’s one good thing that’s come out of this alliance.

When I reach our bedroom door, I make sure to enter quietly, knowing Arina is asleep. But to my surprise, I find her curled up in bed reading, dressed in a silky blue nightdress that barely covers her ass.

Instantly, I no longer feel tired. She notices I’ve come home and looks up at me with a smile.

“You’re still awake,” I say softly, closing the door behind me.

She puts down her book and waves me over with a nod. I kick off my shoes, remove my tie and coat, and climb into bed beside her, too tired to do anything else.

“I wanted to wait for you.” She curls up against my chest. “How did it go?”

“Like watching children in a playground argue about who is smarter,” I snort.

She laughs. “That bad?”

“Did anyone tell you your brothers are stubborn as hell?”

“They’re your brothers now, too, remember?” she teases, and I smile. Suddenly, she pulls away and plonks herself up on one elbow and gives me a conspiring look.

“Ask me what you really want to know,” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

She bites her lip, a habit that still drives me wild. “Did they decide? About the marriage alliance?”

“Not yet. Everyone’s got ideas.” I roll my eyes.

“Pity.” She sounds disappointed.

“And why’s that?” I ask.

“Because I say we did it right. They should just steal our blueprint.”

“I kidnapped you.” I shake my head with a roll of my eyes.

“But you did a veryyyy good job at it,” she sings and pokes my nose. I take hold of her wrist and bring it up to my lips, kissing her hand.

“It didn’t turn out so bad for us, did it now?” she whispers.

“No,” I agree, my thumb now tracing the curve of her cheek. “It didn’t.”

She shifts closer and now rests her head against my shoulder. “What else happened at the meeting?”

I sigh, remembering the more disturbing news. “The Kuznetsovs are gathering strength again. Micky’s younger brother, Valentin, has taken over leadership, and he’s recruiting men who were loyal to Viktor.”

Arina stiffens against me. “Do you think they’ll come after us?”

“Maybe,” I say, not wanting to lie to her. “But definitely not yet. They’re still licking their wounds, and we have time to prepare.”

She reaches up to touch my face, her fingers light against my jaw. “I hope it doesn’t happen anytime soon. You’ve got too much on your plate. You look tired.”

“I am,” I admit. “But seeing you always makes me feel better.”

She laughs quietly. “Such a romantic.”

“Only with you,” I murmur, and it’s true. Before Arina, I never knew I could put my heart in someone’s hands. Her hands.

“Come here,” she says, tugging me closer.

I sink lower into bed until I’m lying flat, and she turns to face me, her body fitting against mine as if she were made for me. “I’ve been thinking…” she says, her voice tentative.

“Dangerous,” I tease, and she pokes me in the ribs.

“Be serious. Remember what we talked about? Starting a family?”

My heart rate picks up. “I remember.”

She takes my hand and places it low on her abdomen. At first, I don’t understand, but then her meaning hits me like a punch to the gut.

“Are you pregnant?” I ask, hope spreading through me like wildfire.

She nods, her eyes shining. “I found out this morning. I wanted to tell you right away, but I thought it should be special.”

“Arina,” I gasp, overwhelmed by the news. “We’re having a baby?”

“We’re having a baby,” she confirms, and I crush her to me, burying my face in her hair.

It’s too much to process—the idea that we’ve created something together, a new life that’s part her, part me.

“You’re happy?” she asks, pulling back to search my face.

“Happy doesn’t begin to cover it.” I kiss her then, pouring everything I feel into it. All my love, my gratitude, my awe at this woman who has turned my life around in the best possible way.

When we break apart, she’s smiling, tears glistening in her eyes. “Our families might actually get along now, with a baby to fuss over.”

“This changes everything,” I agree, placing my hand over her stomach once more, marveling at the miracle happening beneath my palm.

She yawns suddenly, trying to hide it behind her hand.

“You should sleep,” I say, kissing her temple.

“So should you.” She pushes me gently. “Get changed and come to bed already. Your child and I need our rest.”

I laugh at her bossy tone but obey, stripping down to my boxers before sliding under the covers beside her. She immediately curls into me, her head finding its place on my chest, her arm draped across my waist.

“I love you,” I whisper into the dark.

“I know,” she mumbles, already half-asleep. “Now shut up and hold me.”

I do as she asks, wrapping her in my arms. Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together. For now, I have everything I need right here.

*****

THE END