Page 2 of Owned Bratva Bride

“Yes! Why do you make it sound so ridiculous?”

“Itisridiculous.”

“I think you’re just holding back because of the what-ifs you have in your head.”

“Oh…and they aren’t valid what-ifs?”

“You can’t be sure yet. You’ve not had a conversation about it with him. I mean an adult conversation where none of you is running home.”

“Fuck you,” she whispered.

I chuckled.

“You have to hear him out. It’s not cool to leave him hanging. Text him, meet up, and talk. If he was lying about being in love with you since forever, you’d know. Forget the what-ifs, girl.”

“I’m guessing this new forget-the-what-ifs philosophy is why you’re now hanging with Mr. Mysterious, yeah?”

By Mr. Mysterious, my friend referred to the man who invited me to the art showcase she was driving me to.

“Lucien. His name is Lucien Navarro,” I corrected, smiling.

“Lucien, huh? That guy seems like bad news, Marielle.”

Kat and Lucien’s first and only meeting had been enough for her to notice the powerful and dangerous air around him. And, as always, she wasn’t wrong.

What she didn’t realize, however, was that I relished the feeling of all that power and mystery focused on me. She didn’t understand that I loved how he treated me.

“No arguments, there. But that’s kinda why I like him,” I revealed, grinning.

“You kidding?”

“Just a long overdue change,” I answered, shrugging. “I’ve been good for too long. I’m unleashing the fearless vixen in me, baby. I just want something…unpredictable, you know? Maybe a teeny weeny bit dangerous.”

“Dangerousdoesn’t give her number to a stranger she met at a rooftop bar.Dangerouswinds up in court.”

“Gee, thanks. I appreciate your vote of confidence.”

“Seriously, be careful. If things get shady, bail immediately.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I’m not laughing with you. I won’t rush down from Spain to identify your body.”

“Enough with the morbid talk. It’s not like I have a death wish. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“You’d better.”

“That’s the building,” I disclosed, pointing.

“O…kay,” she drawled, switching lanes.

I put my phone in my black glittery purse and zipped it up.

Kat slowed down as she slid onto the street, parking beside the large brick building.

“So…enjoy your family trip. Drink something out of a coconut, skinny dip, and take lots of pictures,” I told her, undoing my seatbelt.

I leaned in to hug her, and her hand wrapped tightly around me.