Page 18 of Sold to the Russian (Nikolai Bratva Brides #6)

She had never seen anything like it.

There was never a time in Maeve’s life when she imagined herself in the Nikolai estate. There was never any need to. Thoughts like that were useless and extravagant because they would never, ever happen.

But here she was. Alive and breathing in the infamous estate, walking into a gathering of the infamous family.

The estate was dripping in wealth and gilded legacy.

Lights were already glowing golden, cars lining the circular driveway like chess pieces.

It was vast and intimidating. It was unlike anything she’d ever seen.

Inside, crystal chandeliers glittered above floors so polished that she could see her reflection in them. Murmurs and laughter, the clinking of glasses, and melodious jazz filled the air. As unreal as everything looked, she had never felt more out of place in her life than she did here.

Fedya was a solid anchor right next to her, the heat of his palm never leaving the small of her back as he guided her forward. And weirdly enough, his touch, his maddeningly calm presence, gave her a semblance of peace—a connection she knew she couldn’t have here.

Eyes—dozens of them—pressed against her skin like pins, digging into her flesh with every click of her heels against the floor.

Turning, watching, judging. There was no surprise there; she was a stranger after all.

She posed as a random woman, not a daughter of any powerful family, so of course, they’d stare at her like she was a weed.

She couldn’t bear the thought of what the scene would look like if they knew who she really was.

She wondered what it must have been like for Fedya, how he must have felt—knowing who he truly was, regardless of his disguises—walking into the lion’s den that was The Grotto.

How he must have known or at least been prepared for things to go sideways, for his cover to be blown.

Fedya was a dangerous man, yes, but so was her father.

So were the other men in that bar staring at the strange arms dealer as if they wanted to pounce on him.

There was no way he would have walked out of that bar alive if his identity had been revealed to everyone there.

And the realization that her father had known who he was all this time, that he saw through Fedya’s mask and still gave her away to him for his own selfishness and greed, made her anger return.

And so, even with the dozens of eyes assessing her as Fedya led her to his siblings, she didn’t cower.

She couldn’t exactly say where she’d gotten the faux confidence from, but there was a huge chance it had everything to do with the warm, solid hand against her back.

Her fingers itched to tug down the hem of her short dress, but she resisted the impulse.

Resisted the urge to feel regret about her outfit choice.

Sure, she’d picked it out to annoy Fedya, but also it was a hot dress and she couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

If her life was falling apart at the seams, then she might as well look good while it happened.

All the horror stories she’d heard about the Bratva clung to her subconscious. She imagined one of the guests abruptly pulling out a gun and shooting her in the face. Or maybe it was the old man she just passed that would swing out a dagger and bury it into her spine.

“Smile,” Fedya murmured under his breath, his fingers curling around her waist.

Maeve tried to ignore how frustratingly good his touch felt. “I am.”

“Try looking like you actually like me.”

“That might be the hardest task I’ve ever been given.”

His thumb brushed along her spine, and her stomach flipped in response.

They cut through the crowd, drawing attention with every step until he stopped in front of two men who, despite their varying appearances, shared a bone-deep similarity.

Maeve didn’t need anyone to tell her that they were Fedya’s siblings.

They were two good-looking men in matching tuxedos. Seeing them now made Maeve realize that Fedya’s good looks weren’t a surprise. His siblings seemed to be blessed in the genetic department. Maeve was a big fan of his parents’ work.

“I was beginning to think you died,” the first one said. His cheekbones were just as high as Fedya’s, and he was sporting a big, fat smile on his face. But as goofy as his smile was, Maeve could see the silent scrutiny in his eyes as he tilted his head in her direction, observing her closely.

“Viktor,” Fedya said, confirming her suspicions. They stood at exactly the same height, and they looked too much alike not to be twins. “I’m so happy to see you. Can you see it on my face?”

His face was blank.

“I can see nothing but love, Brother,” Viktor sighed, placing a hand on Fedya’s chest. Fedya scowled, swatting his hand away, and then the second sibling spoke.

He looked slightly older than both of them, and he had a ruthlessly pretty face.

He was smirking, and if Maeve weren’t so attracted to his brother, her panties would have been on the floor by now.

“And who is this ridiculously stunning creature you’ve brought with you?” he asked, and Maeve’s cheeks felt warm.

“This,” Fedya began, pulling her closer, his touch possessive, “is Maeve. We actually matched on a dating app and met a few months ago in Naples. She works in international law. We kept it quiet because of her job.”

He nodded at each of them. “This goofball over here is Viktor. And this is one of my older brothers, Kostya.”

Maeve turned slightly to smile at them, as if that ridiculous lie didn’t throw her off balance. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“The other one is right there,” Fedya continued, subtly pointing in the direction of a man who stood talking to a beautiful, curvy brunette with stars in his eyes. “Ilya. And that’s his wife, Valentina. He barely ever leaves her side, so I guess you’ll get to see him another time.”

“Maeve,” Kostya smiled flirtatiously, taking her hand in his and dropping a kiss. “What a beautiful name you have.”

Maeve managed a smile as he lowered her hand. Viktor’s brows were raised, and Maeve could see the laughter in his eyes.

“I can’t believe you took my advice,” he said, turning to Maeve now. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Maeve. Hey, did this asshole tell you I was the one who advised him to try online dating? And then he gets a girlfriend and keeps her a secret from me. Sibling goals, am I right?”

“Um—” Maeve started, but Fedya was already taking control.

“It’s no longer a secret if I brought her here.”

Kostya ignored the two of them and looked back at Maeve. “I’m still struggling to process how he got you. I didn’t know Fedya could talk to women.”

Viktor snorted, and Fedya glared at both of his brothers. Maeve was a little stunned by the easy air of playfulness around them to laugh at the insinuation of his statement.

“No, seriously,” Viktor added, slamming a hand down on Fedya’s shoulder. “This man right here barely talks to anyone. Oh, poor you, I can’t imagine the sex. I really hope he doesn’t bore you in—”

“There she is!” An enthusiastic feminine voice called to them from across the room before Viktor could finish his statement.

Fedya was saying something along the lines of cutting out his tongue when the owner of the voice strode over, her face glowing like one of the many chandeliers hovering above them.

She was incredibly beautiful in the green floor-length dress she wore, thick blonde waves spiraling down her shoulders.

She held a champagne flute as she gracefully glided towards them, sharing similar features with Kostya.

Irina .

“God, you’re even prettier in person,” the woman gushed, instantly going for a warm hug. Maeve caught Fedya’s eyes over his sister’s shoulders as her hands hesitated to return the sudden gesture.

Maeve blinked in surprise as Irina pulled back, grinning. Irina turned to Fedya and whispered loudly, “She knows my name.” Then she returned her attention to Maeve, who was fighting a smile now. “And you must be the woman who’s driving my brother mad.”

Now that was a little surprising for Maeve since she was sure no one knew about her until now.

Viktor let out a sound that sounded like a choke. He was talking to Fedya when he asked, “You told her but not me? Has the world finally come to an end?”

“Ignore him,” Kostya said. “He’s the drama queen of the family.”

“Irina, this is Maeve,” Fedya said. “Maeve, my sister, Irina.”

“You are incredibly gorgeous, Maeve,” Irina praised. She looked younger. She couldn’t have been older than Maeve was. “Love the outfit by the way. Looks very familiar.”

“Thanks,” Maeve said, suddenly feeling much more comfortable with her choice despite Fedya’s jacket draped around her. “He bought it, actually.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed my brother had such taste in fashion,” Irina giggled, and Maeve caught Fedya rolling his eyes.

Kostya leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Do you by any chance have a sister? I just wanna be friends with her, that’s all.”

Irina shot her older brother an unimpressed look. “The one time you’re not placed on bodyguard duty is the time you decide to form an incestuous relationship with our future sister-in-law.”

If only you knew , Maeve thought sarcastically, her thumb absently rubbing circles around the area where Fedya’s ring was prior to this event.