Page 18 of Pregnant Bratva Hostage (Dubrov Bratva #17)

I’m almost at my car when Uncle Boris calls my name. I jump a little. I wasn’t expecting him to be here.

“Get in,” he says aggressively, pushing the door open on his limo.

I climb inside and sit tensely in the dark, parked outside the party. My uncle is sitting across from me, rolling a cigar in his fingers. He takes his time while wasting mine. He always does this—delays things while you wait. It’s another egotistical game of his.

I pull out my phone, pretending to flick through social media instead of sitting here doing nothing. He doesn’t seem to like this at all. The expression of control on his face slips, and he sneers at me.

“My men tell me you were up close and personal with the Andreev brother. What did you get from him? Was it worth my while?” he asks, holding the flame of his lighter against the tip of the cigar.

He takes two massive puffs of white-gray smoke, and instantly, the smell makes me want to puke. I hate it. But I probably hate it so much because it reminds me of him.

“I got close to him, and he was drunk this evening, so I managed to get information out of him. It was worth your while,” I add bitterly at the end, because my uncle didn’t have to put any effort in for this. He just sent me out to do his bidding.

“Well, spit to out, girl. What the fuck do you think I’m sitting here for?”

A sly smile touches my face, amused because he makes everyone wait for him, but his level of patience is zero.

When my uncle glances at me and narrows his eyes, I make it seem like I’m smiling because I got Yulian to tell me things.

“The Sokolov family,” I say casually.

“What about them? My allies. I’ve been working with them for years,” Uncle Boris snaps, sitting forward in his seat.

“They’re looking to switch sides, and apparently, they’re trying to do a few things in order to prove that they can be trusted by your enemies. A few things against you.”

“They’re switching sides? Those fucking assholes just signed a new contract with me two weeks ago. And now they’re switching sides?” Uncle Boris is furious. He puffs on the cigar, and the air inside the car becomes thicker with smoke.

“I’ll fucking tear them apart,” he mutters. “Get out. I’ve got things to do.”

It’s a relief to push the door open and climb out. I take two deep breathes of cleaner air and close it behind me without saying goodbye. He wouldn’t hear me anyway. He’s busy screaming into the phone about booking flights and setting meetings.

The information Ark told me to feed him has worked.

Now we just have to wait.

I walk away from the limo, towards my car. I think my uncle’s men are still watching me, so even though Uncle Boris is busy, I’m going to have to go back to my own apartment.

After the kiss Arkady sneakily gave me this evening, I really wanted to try and get to him. But it’s too risky.

The drive home is a bit miserable. I keep picturing the empty apartment.

Quiet, cold, void of life. It doesn’t feel like home.

It used to have a sense of safety for me because it was mine, away from my uncle’s mansion.

But now that I’ve seen what a real home looks like—what a real family looks like—my apartment is just a place to sleep and store things.

I want a home.

In all honestly, I think I want Arkady’s company more than a different place to live. I think it’s just him I miss. But I can’t dwell on that. It was a temporary thing. And now he’s helping me end this chaos with my uncle, and then we’ll probably never see each other again.

It’s okay, Tania. When all of this is over, you can find a nice place to make a home. A place that’s yours.

I park outside the building and head inside. The elevator carries me up to my floor, and I walk in silence towards my door.

When I push it open, the apartment is dark inside. Unwelcoming. Sighing loudly, I drop my purse on the kitchen counter, not bothering to turn on any lights because I’m going straight to bed anyway. I’m not going to sit here alone pondering all the things I can’t have.

“Welcome home, darling.” His deep voice moves towards me through the darkness, warming it instantly.

I’m so shocked to find him sitting in my living room that for a moment I can’t even move.

I stand with my hand pressed against my heart, staring at his silhouette. I would have walked straight past him if he hadn’t spoken.

I giggle, relief and curiosity flowing through me. “What are you doing here?” I smile.

“Well,” he says, standing up and walking towards me. “I knew you were probably missing me terribly, and I thought I should do something about that,” he says, staring down at me, his hand brushing over my side.

If he had any idea how much I was missing him—

I run my fingers over his waist, pulling at his shirt.

“You did an incredible job tonight, Tania.”

“Thanks,” I whisper, lifting my head higher, my lips hovering inches from his. In the darkness, his blue eyes are piercing, catching the minimal light.

My heart starts racing faster, my lips parting, and I reach up and trace my fingers over his jawline.

“Why did you really come here?” I ask, barely a whisper.

Instead of answering me, he leans down and presses his lips against mine.

I moan against his mouth, and he lifts me into his arms, carrying me towards the bedroom.

***

Ark is lying in my bed with his hands behind his head and a satisfied grin on his face. I roll towards him, lying on my side, smiling as well.

“Are you hungry?” I ask.

“No, I’m very content.” He grins.

I reach out and brush my hand across his perfect, muscular chest, tracing my fingers over the black panther inked into his skin.

“Why did you choose a panther?”

“They are very stealth creatures, but with a great amount of strength, brilliant hunters, and loners. And they seem to have this quiet sense of danger to them. Like they’re happy to watch from a distance, until you piss them off.”

“But you’re not a loner. You have your brothers.”

He smiles, one corner of his mouth curling upwards.

“I have my brothers, yes, but I’ve always felt a bit…

separated. Perhaps misunderstood. We don’t think the same way.

I know I have their support, but we clash a lot.

I’m reckless and selfish in their eyes. But actually, I’m just trying to live a good life, have some fun, not take things so seriously, you know?

I don’t think life should be so rigid. There should be room for adjustments and changes in plan—and of course, plenty of on-the-spot decisions,” he laughs quietly.

“I think we want the same things,” I sigh, rolling onto my back. “To live a little, and not to take things so seriously. I’ve always wanted to be able to just be myself without judgment or being told I’m wrong.”

“I get that,” Ark says, “the judgment thing. Just because other people don’t agree with it doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”

“Exactly.” I nod, trying to remember if I’ve ever had such a meaningful conversation in my life. One where I could express myself without worrying.

My stomach growls, and Ark sits up, narrowing his eyes at me. “Did you offer me something to eat because you’re hungry?”

“Maybe, I might be craving a grilled cheese or something.”

“Well, darling, follow me. I happen to make an excellent grilled cheese after midnight.”

He scoops me into his arms and lifts me out of bed, carrying me to my kitchen. He sets me down on the counter.

“Wait there. I don’t want you getting cold.” He disappears back to my room and comes back wearing his pants and holding a long robe for me. He slips it around my body and makes sure I’m comfortable.

“Better?” he smiles, touching my face.

“Much better. Thank you.”

Arkady and I talk for ages while he makes the most incredible grilled cheese sandwiches in the pan on the stove. They’re crispy and delicious, and I eat two of them, sitting on the edge of the counter with my feet swinging happily.

He steps close to me and takes a bite out of the toasted cheese in my hand. He swallows and grins. “I owe you a bite of mine.”

“I might be willing to negotiate other forms of payment,” I tease.

He steps closer, pushing my legs apart with his hips. He leans towards me and takes another bite. “Hey,” I moan, smiling.

“I just want to make sure that I owe you a little more.” He winks at me, then steps away and flips the sandwich in the pan.

I was right about my thoughts earlier.

It’s not a home I want, not specifically. It’s the company.

The company of a specific person. I think anywhere I go will feel empty without him.

I’m scared to admit how he makes me feel. Scared because I think I’m going to end up really hurt.

Arkady and I eat far too many sandwiches, but we’re having so much fun he just keeps making them.

Eventually, though, we’re both yawning, and I’m struggling to keep my eyes open. Ark pulls me off the counter and leads me back to the bedroom.

We climb beneath the blankets, and he lies on his back with his arm spread open, inviting me to snuggle against him.

I smile as I do so, closing my eyes, resting my cheek on his chest.

His breathing soothes me, and his warmth soaks into me.

In no time at all, he’s fast asleep.

But despite being so tired, I’m struggling to fall asleep. I can’t stop thinking about him.

In the dark, I study his face. He’s beautiful.

It doesn’t seem fair that he should be so beautiful. I smile as I reach my hand up to touch his lips, but I just hover my fingers about his mouth, feeling the warmth of his breath on my skin.

What happens if I fall in love with him?

I shouldn’t. It would be a stupid thing to do.

But what happens if I can’t help myself?

We’re spending time together, and we have fun together. He makes me laugh, he makes my life so much better.

You can’t fall in love with him, Tia. Whatever feelings you have growing towards him, you need to stop them.

I sigh softly and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to force myself to stop watching him and go to sleep.

But his body is still right next to mine. And he makes me feel so safe.

I think I’m already in trouble regarding my feelings for him. I think it’s already too late to walk away from this situation without getting hurt.