Page 17 of Secret Bratva Baby (Dubrov Bratva #16)

It’s Oleg’s birthday. Oleg is one of the Dubrov brothers. His family is a close ally of ours, and the Kuznetsovs are hosting a party for him. Raisa, his wife—Raisa Kuznetsov—is planning everything, and she is the one who sent us the invite.

I can see how excited Rose is when she comes down the stairs, dressed and ready to go.

That dress—when I say it’s a problem for me, I mean it in the most incredible way. I don’t know how I’m going to get through tonight with her looking as good as she does. She looks exceptional. Her beauty is flooring me.

I stare in disbelief, trying to search for the right words to say to her.

She gets to the bottom of the stairs, twirling in front of me to show off her gorgeous outfit.

The shoes, the gold jewels catching the color of her hair—I clear my throat and turn my face away.

Dammit. Not again.

I hear her giggle and narrow my eyes at her, grinning.

“Don’t be cheeky, Rose, it will get you in trouble.”

She sways her hips as she brushes past me, making sure to let her hip press briefly against my cock. “I like trouble,” she whispers, taunting me as she struts toward the door.

“Are we leaving?” I ask, walking after her.

“Lily is tucked in. Mila is reading her a story—so yes, we’re leaving.” Her confidence is astounding. It’s dangerous. She knows exactly what effect she is having on me.

I can’t let her get away with that.

With a smirk, I reach out, just before she steps through the door. I spin her to face me and push her back against the wall.

“What—" she gasps, her lips parting in surprise.

I lean my body against her, pinning her to the wall as I slowly trace my finger over the curve of her collarbone, carefully pulling the clasp of her necklace to the back. “There. That’s better,” I growl, my lips inches from hers.

She’s staring, wide-eyed, her breathing heavy.

I chuckle and step away. “Ready?” I ask, gesturing towards the door.

She huffs, and one corner of her mouth curls upward. She breezes past me, leaving me to follow the sweet scent of her perfume. It’s like honey drizzled over her strawberry scent.

***

The party is in full swing when we arrive.

Arkady and Jade, my sister, are the first to greet us when we walk in.

Jade immediately hands Rose a glass of champagne and hugs her.

“It’s so lovely to meet you. Wow, you look incredible.

I wish I could pull off a dress like that, but I recently decided that glitter and sequins are annoying.

They agitate me for some reason. So now I’m into velvet.

I wonder if my designer could make me one in black velvet if I sent him a photo. ”

Rose laughs, shaking her head. “You’re welcome to send him a photo or borrow the dress after the party so he can take a look at it.”

My brother laughs. “I think our sister is trying to undress your woman,” Ark teases me.

My woman.

Rose giggles. “It’s girl talk, mind your own business,” she reprimands Ark.

I grin. She’s perfectly capable of handling herself.

“Can I steal her for a moment? I was to introduce her to all the girls.” Jade is already pulling her away from before I’ve had a chance to answer.

“Whiskey?” Ark says, gesturing towards the bar. “We’ll grab a drink, then do the rounds. I also just arrived, so I have to do the dutiful greetings.” He rolls his eyes.

“Ye, I’ll follow you, lead the way.”

“Oleg was pretty happy with the new SUV we sent him.”

“Ah, great. I wanted to ask you about that.”

“Yeah, we dropped it off yesterday. I am thinking of ordering one for myself. Have you seen the features on that car?”

Ark chats away, and I find myself searching the crowd for Rose.

It’s easy to spot her. She stands out like a shooting star in a dark sky. She’s radiant. I watch her talking to Jade and Aliyah. My sisters aren’t the type to pretend to like someone. Even from here, I can see they like her already.

Niko waves at me. “Hey man, you made it,” I say.

“Yes, I got back literally a few hours ago. We’re just stopping in to say hi, then heading home. We’re exhausted. The flight was long.”

“It’s good to have you back. I hope you’re rested and ready for work.”

He chuckles. “I’ll be ready on Monday.”

“Luka,” Oleg says loudly, spotting us across the room. He walks towards us, a little drunk on birthday vibes and champagne.

“I’m ducking out,” Niko says quickly with a grin. “I’ve already said hi. I’m going to find my wife and see if we can sneak out yet.”

I nod and turn towards Oleg.

“I never took you for a champagne drinker, man,” I laugh, pulling him into a hug.

“My wife insisted I try it. The right woman can really change a man.” He chuckles.

“I agree,” I muse, my eyes drifting back to Rose. He follows my gaze.

“She’s beautiful. You have to watch out for the beautiful ones. They can be trouble.”

“Not this one. She’s no trouble at all,” I murmur, lost in the sight of her.

“Oh man, you’ve got it bad,” Oleg laughs loudly, turning to Ark to say hello to him.

I chuckle nervously, not realizing how blatant I’d made it. Maybe he was just drunk. Teasing me. I'd better watch myself, though.

Throughout the night, whether I’m standing next to her or watching her from a distance, she is all I can focus on.

At one point she hurries over to me, beaming, perhaps a little tipsy from the steady line of drinks I’ve noticed Aly and Jade bringing her, and she grins, leans close, and whispers, “Every single one of the Kuznetsov siblings—their names all start with R.” Her eyes shoot wide as though she’s told me a secret. I chuckle and pull her into my arms.

“You’re glowing,” I whisper in her ear.

She giggles again. “I—I don’t ever drink. I hope my face isn’t all red.”

“That’s not what I mean.” I grin, looking down at her. “I meant you’re radiant, Rose. You’re friendly to everyone, and you make people smile. I can’t count how many people have come up to me tonight to comment on how beautiful you are.”

She presses her lips together, then bites her lower lip.

“I do feel pretty in this dress.”

“Rose,” Jade calls her. She turns towards my sister. “We’re doing tequila shots.”

“No, Jade,” I shout back.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do,” Rose says in fake horror.

“Rose, please drink water,” I laugh.

“You don’t get to tell her what to do,” Jade shouts as well, she and Aly laughing at me.

I shake my head. “You two are trouble,” I say to my sisters.

Jade tilts her head to the side. “Don’t worry, big brother. We’ll take care of her. She’s just letting off a bit of steam. Besides, it’s a party, isn’t it? You should have tequila, too.”

I frown, then give in. “Fine,” I sigh, walking towards them to join in the mayhem.

Ark, also having a tequila, knots his brows at me and glares intently.

“When did you become fun?” he huffs. “I’m the fun one. You need to stay in your lane.” He throws the tequila back, reaches out to take Rose’s hand and leads her to the dance floor.

For a moment, I don’t know what to do.

He’s my brother, and he’s just teasing. But when he pulls her close against him, a thick pulse of jealously shoots through me.

Aly and Jade look from the dance floor at me.

Jade asks, “What is going on with you two?”

“Ark?” I ask, confused.

“No, dumbass. Rose. What’s happening? Is she going to be part of our family?”

Her question is broad, but also very specific. I bite the inside of my cheek as I wonder how to answer her.

Aly slips her arm around my waist and leans her head against my shoulder. “Is she in your future?” she asks, pushing me for an answer, too.

“I—I don’t know,” I say quietly. I have no idea what to say to them.

I want her in my future. I would do almost anything to have her stay with me forever. But it’s not up to me. It’s up to her. After hurting her so badly, I have to be patient. But will she want to stay?

Is she just with me at the moment because I’m making her stay until it’s safe?

As I watch her dance playfully with my brother, I wonder how I will react when she tells me she’s ready to leave.

My chest tightens. No .

I definitely don’t want that.

I need her.

I need my daughter.

We are a family. We’re good together.

Ark spins her outwards and then back towards him. He dips her backwards and leans over, a seductive move that he takes his time with, brushing his hand over her throat with a dark smile on his lips.

A low growl rumbles through me.

Ark is pushing his luck. But I can’t make sense and butt in because I don’t want to ruin the party vibe with my jealously—and technically, she’s not my girl. She can dance with whoever she wants.

Rose is laughing; she looks relaxed, like she’s just having fun and nothing more.

But I don’t want her laughing with anyone but me. No other man should have the power to lure that gorgeous smile from her.

It’s ridiculous. I know.

I can’t help how I feel.

The longer they dance, the tenser I get.

Jade and Aly are chatting next to me, but I’m hardly paying attention to anything they’re saying. Jade punches my arm. “Earth to Luka,” she huffs.

“Sorry, what?” I snap.

“I asked you what it’s like to be a dad?”

The question instantly soothes me. “It’s—it’s wild. It’s so special. That little girl is something magical. I can’t describe the love I have for her.”

Jade smirks. “Mm. I always knew you’d make a good dad. It’s Ark I’m worried about.” She tilts her chin towards the wild one of our siblings. “He makes a good crazy uncle, but can you picture him falling in love and starting a family?”

Aly shakes her head. “Ark is going to surprise all of you. One day you’ll see. He’s actually a big softie.”

I snort with laughter. “He’s a freaking mental case.”

“Yes, but he’s also a softie,” Aly insists with a giggle.

The music changes, and a slow, romantic song comes on. I wait for Ark to step away from Rose, but to my horror, he pulls her closer, and I don’t miss the cheeky smile he throws me as he does so.

I clench my jaw in frustration.

Ark turns her so that her back is towards me and brushes his hand down her spine.

Jade laughs. “I think he’s doing it on purpose. Don’t fall for his trap.”

“He’s a dickhead,” I snap, wanting to rip her out of his arms.

When Ark’s hand gets too low, Rose reaches behind herself and pulls it back up, reprimanding him. He chuckles and says something I can’t hear. She shakes her head and laughs as well.

Renat walks past. He skids to a halt. “Luka, man, I didn’t even say hi yet,” he says excitedly.

“Hey, I thought you were still in New York for that fight.”

“I got back this morning.”

“How did it go?”

“I kicked it. No one stood a chance against me,” he laughs.

“I expect nothing less from you.”

“Who are you watching so intently?” he glances over his shoulder at the dance floor. “Ark’s girl?” he asks, knitting his brows.

“She’s not Ark’s girl,” I sigh.

“Mm. He’s messing with you, isn’t he?”

“When isn’t he messing with someone?”

“That’s typical Ark. Just go sweep her away from him and kick him in the balls while you’re at it.” Renat chuckles with a mischievous laugh.

“I might just do that.”

“Good luck, man. I’ll catch up later. I’m just grabbing a drink for Oleg.”

“Later.” I nod, lifting my glass.

I can’t take this anymore. I don’t even have anyone to distract me now because Jade and Aly have wandered off, and I’m standing alone watching Rose on the dance floor.