Page 17 of The Pakhan’s Arranged Bride (West Coast Bratva Pakhans #2)

Our trip shifted things between us in better ways than I could have imagined. I’m so glad I forced her to go with me, even when she seemed reluctant.

My goal was to get her away from the danger that Miron presented, but it was also to try and break down the walls that were rising between us.

And it worked.

We’re closer now than ever before.

She’s at the breakfast table, still reading her book, when I come to join her.

“That one must be good. You haven’t been able to set it down since last night.”

“I know, I can’t wait to find out what happens to Blake and Alora. He’s gone missing and she’s searching for him,” she says in a huff.

I grin, tilting my head to the side. “You’ll love the ending.”

“You’ve read this one?” she asks in shock, setting the book down next to herself.

“I have, more than once.”

She giggles and shakes her head. “But it’s a romance. Why would you read it?”

“Don’t be so presumptuous in thinking a man like me wouldn’t enjoy a good love story.” I wink at her.

Her cheeks brighten as her smile widens.

“Mm. A secret romantic,” she teases.

“Maybe it’s not so secret after all.”

I dish up some scrambled eggs and bacon for her, then butter two pieces of toast. She chats happily, taking small bites and swinging her legs beneath the table.

“My dress arrived,” she exclaims suddenly. “It’s so gorgeous, thank you.”

“I thought the bright color would look lovely on you. We’ll go through around eight tonight. The limo is booked to take us there.”

She nods. “It’ll be fun.”

I’ve never particularly thought of gala events as fun, but somehow the idea of going with her now does seem fun, and I’m looking forward to it.

***

It’s dark when we arrive at the gala. The hall is elegantly set up with soft lighting, hundreds of tiny fairy lights above our heads and a giant crystal chandelier adds extravagance.

It’s another charity event, surrounded by allies and rivals, with everyone on their best behavior in the strictly neutral territory of the event.

Ulyana is at my side, with her head resting on my shoulder and my arm wrapped around her waist.

She is wearing a gorgeous, long glittering pink dress with a low-cut neckline and thin, elegant shoulder straps. She looks as beautiful as ever, and I can barely take my eyes off her as we wander around the event, saying hello to my business partners and mingling together.

She hasn’t left my side, and in stark comparison to the first event we attended together, this one doesn’t feel like we’re faking our closeness for the benefit of everyone around us. It feels genuine.

“Would you like a drink, little fox?” I ask, noticing that her glass is empty.

“Yes, please. Another champagne,” she nods. I lean down at gently kiss her lips.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” I say, then leave her talking to the wife of a colleague as I look around for one of the waiters making their rounds with trays of champagne. It doesn’t take long to find one. I take two glasses off it and thank him, then turn back to Ulyana.

From across the room, I watch her, my eyes tracing the contours of her perfection. She is magnificent.

But in a flash, the smile disappears from my face and my heart sinks into the pit of my stomach.

Miron is walking towards her.

Miron .

Here at the event.

Somewhere neutral where I can’t even respond to his presence in the way I desperately want to. It also strikes me that while I might be smart enough to conduct myself in a manner that honors the treaty of neutral territory, he most likely isn’t.

That gives him a benefit here, the benefit of being the one to strike first while I wait tensely for that to happen.

Fuck. This is bad.

I set both glasses of champagne down and rush back to her, pushing past people rudely and not caring. I have one focus, one goal—to get to her side and keep her safe from that monster.

She spots him just as I reach her. Turning away from the woman she’s speaking to, her eyes lock with his.

Her face turns ash-white and she takes in a sharp breath.

“Miron.” She whispers his name in horror and fear.

But as he steps in front of her, demanding her full attention with a ghastly smile on his face, her fear turns to anger. Her eyes narrow and her jaw sets tightly as she glares at him.

“What are you doing here?” she growls.

“Ulyana, I wanted to say congratulations on your marriage. How wonderful for you,” he says, not meaning a fucking word of it. He’s easy to read, and the marriage is clearly not something he approves of. He steals a moment to glance in my direction, then his eyes return to her.

His gaze drifts over her and my stomach churns with anger.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Miron?” I snarl, keeping my voice low. “You’re risking a lot coming here and standing in front of me as though you didn’t make an attempt on my life last week. I should shoot you where you stand.”

He snickers, rolling his eyes at me, ignoring my threats and continuing to stare at Ulyana. “Don’t flatter yourself, playboy. I came here for other reason, more important than you.

“So, Ulyana, are you pleased that your brother sold you?”

“He didn’t sell me, Miron. I am here of my own free will,” she hisses. “I told you never to speak to me again.”

He snorts. “And you thought I’d stay away? How sweet. You know what I want. You know I won’t stop till I have it.”

She presses her lips together as her eyes flare with hatred.

It becomes very clear to me as Miron carries on taunting her, and she snaps back angry responses, that there is something more going on between them than meets the eye.

I know he is her stepbrother. Perhaps they never got along. But this seems more than just a family dispute.

My heart is hammering against my ribs as I fight for control not to punch this asshole in the face. If I make one move, it gives him free rein to defend himself with whatever force he deems necessary, and I will be the one blamed.

I can’t do it. Not here. Not now.

This is not the time or place, no matter how badly I want to rip that smile from his face.

The way he’s looking at my wife makes my stomach churn. It’s disgusting. And her defenses are raised so high against him—I want to know what is going on.

Clueless, unable to do anything against Miron, I decide that the best thing I can do is to get her out of here. As far away from him as possible.

I can’t stay here and risk her life. No matter what opportunity this presents to take down Miron, my main concern is getting Ulyana home.

“My love, we have other guests to talk to,” I say, pulling her away, watching Miron’s face burn with anger.

“I wasn’t done talking to her.”

“She’s done talking to you,” I say coldly.

Ulyana lets me pull her away, holding her in front of my body as I turn my back on him, shielding her from him.

I push her forward, making eye contact with Jadon across the room. He’s been watching the whole thing from the edge of the crowd. He knows me well enough to read my mind and he nods. Lifting his hand, he presses it against the side of his head to speak into his earpiece.

He tilts his head and gestures for me to use the side exit.

“I don’t want to be here,” Ulyana says quietly as I lean over her, guiding her towards the edge of the room.

“We’re leaving now, little fox. Just stay alert, I don’t know what Miron has planned. Inside the event, we are technically covered by the treaty, but once we’re out on the road, it’s open ground again.”

She nods tightly, glancing behind us. “I can’t see him.”

“It’s okay, Jadon will have men watching him. They’re bringing the car around the side for us now. We’ll walk straight out of the door into the car.”

I’m on high alert. I’ve never been in a situation like this before. It’s easy to keep myself safe, to feel confident that my men will be watching my back—but I have Ulyana now, and the thought of anything happening to her drives me crazy.

I can’t lose her.

If he hurts her, I don’t know what I’ll do.

And I desperately want to know what was going on between the two of them with the way they were speaking to each other. There is history there. Is it just the past I know about, her brother’s hatred for Miron, that she is a part of? It seems like something more.

We wait at the edge of the room with my back pressed against the wall and Ulyana standing against my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around her, protecting her, holding her close. I’m waiting for Jadon to let me know that the car is here, and the path is clear for us to make an exit.

As soon as he does, we’ll move. But for now, I can watch the crowd from here and keep my eyes peeled for that rat.

I want to be home with her, in the safety of the high security gates with my trusted men patrolling the property. I hate the tension that rises at the idea of driving now. Not knowing what might happen. But we can’t stay here all night.

It’s a risk we have to take.

“Sir,” Jadon says, stepping to my side. “Follow me.”

I nod and guide Ulyana to follow him, keeping her between myself and Jadon as we walk towards the exit.

My jaw is clenched so tightly it’s aching every muscle in my face, shooting tension down my neck into my shoulders.

We step out of the venue doors.

The car is right there, a few feet away, the engine running and the door open.

“Move,” Jadon says calmly.

I hurry to get Ulyana in the car and Jadon climbs in after us. He tugs the door closed.

“Drive.”

He lifts his hand and speaks into his earpiece again. “We’re on the move.”

A dark SUV pulls into formation behind us. There is one in front and one behind.

We’ve covered every option for defense against an attack.

All I can do now is sit holding her until we’re home.

Her face is turned towards the window, watching the dark night race past us. She’s leaning into me for comfort.