Page 23 of Pregnant Bratva Hostage (Dubrov Bratva #17)

After the hike, which might actually have been the best day of my entire life, Ark and I came home to shower and change—and then he still took me out to dinner. Every single moment of it was incredible.

We had steak with butter sauce and roasted vegetables on a butternut puree base. It was to die for.

I sat right next to Ark, with his arm around me as he taught me about his favorite wines, which surprised me because I never took him for the sophisticated type who likes to pair wines.

We spoke about places we’d like to travel, and he said he wants to take me on the Siberian train, across those beautiful landscapes.

He talks about me as though I belong in his future. And it’s where I want to be. With him.

We’re home now, and my cheeks ache from the constant smile that has been spread over my face all day. My body is tired from the hike and our intimate moments, happily exhausted and ready to curl up against him and fall asleep.

How can I mistake the way he treats me for anything other than real? This isn’t just some casual romance. It’s impossible. There is something incredible special between us. I’m not so naive that I can’t see it and recognize it for what it is.

Maybe when he was talking to his brother, he was playing it down for some reason. Maybe I misunderstood or misinterpreted his words. I don’t know. But I also don’t care anymore about what he said.

Everyone always says actions speak louder than words, and his actions tell me the truth of how he feels.

He hasn’t said it to me, but he’s shown me.

In every touch, every glance. In the way he smiles when he watches me, the way his eyes travel over me with warmth and desire.

But not just physical. It’s so much more than that.

I’ve thought about it a lot, and I don’t think I’m wrong. He has feelings for me. He might just be too scared to tell me. So, I’ve decided, I’m going to tell him how I feel.

Why not? Why shouldn’t I live more freely, be a little wild, take risks on the man whom I’ve fallen for? He’s perfect. He’s everything I could dream of and so much more.

What is the worst that could happen? He might say no, that I’m wrong, but I know I’m not.

He has feelings for me.

And I’ve fallen completely and utterly in love with him.

I have my comfy PJs on, my pink sweatpants, and a cute pink lace cami. Ark is wearing a pair of grey sweatpants that hug his ass and his thick, toned thighs. Damn, this man is good-looking. Every inch of him is divine. My eyes trace over his back muscles as they ripple and flex when he moves.

I smile as I watch him make us hot chocolate so that we can curl up in bed together and watch a movie.

I won’t make it past the first fifteen minutes.

I don’t think he will either, but we just want to be together.

He’s got his back to me, and he’s chatting about the day, about how much fun he had.

He particularly seemed to enjoy the swim.

So did I. It was exhilarating to be so naked and wild in nature.

My phone lights up on the kitchen counter next to me.

It’s on silent, but my eyes follow the glowing screen to see my uncle’s name written across it. I clench my jaw. This is the last person I want to speak to after the most perfect day. I turn my phone face down on the counter. I’ll leave it down here when I go to bed.

I do not want to be thinking about Boris or any of his drama. He can wait until tomorrow to moan about whatever it is he wants to say.

Besides, I wanted to talk to Ark about the situation with Boris.

I have no intention of playing his games anymore.

I’m done with him and the way he uses me.

I’ve become a completely different person after spending time away from him, and I like this person. I like this version of me.

I’ll ask Arkady and his brothers for help.

But I can’t do that anymore. I can’t let Boris manipulate me and use me. I am confident I will have their support. The Andreevs have been nothing short of amazing to me.

“Done,” Ark says, turning towards me with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate in his hands. “That smells so good.”

“I added marshmallows,” he grins, holding the cups lower so I can see. They’re already melting in the hot liquid.

“Go on, I’ll follow. I like walking behind you.” He tilts his chin towards the door.

I note the glint in his eye and chuckle. “You mean you like watching my butt when I climb the stairs.”

“And when you hike.”

We go up to the bedroom and climb beneath the covers. He pulls me close and holds me against his side as we sip our cozy drinks. He whispers against my cheek as he gently kisses me, “Today was incredible, darling. Thank you for sharing it with me.”

My heart flutters with bliss. He is perfect.

I want this forever.

When our hot chocolate is done, he sets the empty mugs aside and pulls me even closer. The movie is playing, but as predicted, he is fast asleep before we’re even fifteen minutes into the story.

I flick the TV off with the remote and snuggle onto his chest.

I watch him for a while, letting my heart feel whatever it wants to feel. No longer holding back or telling myself I can’t love him—I let myself feel everything, and the more I do, the happier I get.

I have no doubt about this man. If I could spend every day of the rest of my life with him, it would be the most perfect life I could dream up.

Tomorrow, it’s my turn to do something nice for him.

Tomorrow, I’m going to show him, and then tell him, exactly what he means to me, and I’m going to tell him about our baby.

I’ll fight for this man. I’ll do anything for him, and he deserves to know that.

***

Early the next morning, I woke up excited.

I’m so ready to commit to him and tell him about our baby, but I want to make it a very special moment for him, too.

I have a little plan that I thought up last night before I fell asleep—but first I need to pop over to my apartment and collect a few things.

I want to wear my gold dress, and I’d also like to stop at a lingerie shop on the way back here and pick up something spicy. And maybe I can share the surprise about our pregnancy with a little pair of baby socks, or a cute little baby onesie.

Ark is still sleeping when I slip out of his mansion, eager to get leave and then get back as soon as possible. I’ve left a note on his pillow to say I won’t be long, that I’m just getting some things from my apartment, and that he isn’t allowed to make plans for this afternoon.

Driving towards my apartment doesn’t have the same hollow feeling it had before, because for some reason, I just know it’s not going to be a big part of my life for much longer. As soon as I walk away from my uncle, with Arkady’s help, the apartment won’t be my home.

Honestly, even if Arkady doesn’t have feelings for me—which is impossible with the way he treats me—I think he will still help me get away from Boris.

I park outside and I’m humming a tune in my mind as I hurry towards the apartment building. I’m so caught up in my excitement and my plans that I get a massive fright when I bump into my uncle, of all people—the man who I thought was out of town.

“Tania, my niece, the girl whom I have raised as my own daughter,” he snarls at me, anger glowing in his eyes. My throat gets tight as I watch his expression. I’ve seen it before. A thousand times. Usually, just before he reacts violently.

“Boris, um, Uncle Boris. What are you doing here?” I stammer, trying to pull myself together and overcome the shock of seeing him.

“I’m sure it’s a big surprise for you to find me here. Get in the car. We have things to discuss,” he snarls.

I shake my head. I have to stand up for myself. I can’t let fear rule me.

“No. I’m not getting in the car with you. I have other plans,” I say sternly, lifting my chin in defiance. My heart is racing. I’ve never said no to Boris before. I’m already bracing myself for the hit.

“Actually, girl, you are getting in the car. I would tread very carefully and think about your next choice before you speak—especially after you and your boyfriend went out of your way to trick me.”

My soul drops into my feet. My head spins with panic.

“What?” I stammer, a soft whisper, a gasp of horror. He knows?

“Did you think I wouldn’t figure it out?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say as calmly as I can, trying to look around me, figuring out which way to run.

I feel someone step behind me and turn to see his bodyguard, blocking me from going anywhere.

My eyes dart back to Boris. He ducks into his car and gestures for me to do the same.

“Get in the car, Tania, or I will kill your boyfriend. It’s as simple as that. You’ve been working for them as a spy, and you’ve betrayed your entire family. You should be begging for mercy, not arguing.”

“Uncle Boris, please,” I murmur.

“It’s too late. Get in the car or I will make sure he suffers an endless amount of pain,” he snarls darkly.

My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach. I’ve seen what Boris is capable of. I know what he can do to a man. Hours of torture.

I can’t let that happen to Arkady or anyone in his family.

But I’m frozen in place. Gripped by fear. Panic. He’ll do terrible things to me after I betrayed him.

I’m pregnant. My baby has to stay safe, too. What will Boris do to me?

“The choice is yours, Tania, but the clock is ticking. Decide. Get in—or don’t. But you know the consequences.”

I let out a sharp breath. His guard is already pushing me towards the car. I don’t really have a choice here. He isn’t letting me leave.

“I’ll get in.”

“Wise decision,” he says roughly.

My stomach twists with tension as I slide into the back seat of the car next to my uncle. I press my lips together and swallow hard. For now, this is what I have to do to keep Arkady safe. I’ll have to come up with a plan for my own escape and to make sure nothing happens to my baby.

I’ve been so reliant on Arkady and his brothers to keep me safe—but now it’s up to me. I’m the one who has to keep them safe somehow.

I will have to figure it out once I hear what my uncle’s plans are.

I’ll do whatever it takes.

I love him.

I love Arkady.

I will do anything for him.