Page 5 of The Pakhan’s Arranged Bride (West Coast Bratva Pakhans #2)

It’s late, it’s been a long day, and I’ve hardly managed to get any work done.

“Sir, did you sign off on the latest report?” Jadon asks, standing at my desk.

“Yes, uh—it’s here somewhere,” I huff, shuffling papers across my desk. It’s a mess. And it’s never a mess. This is so unlike me. My head has been busy all day, but not busy with the things it needs to be busy with; no, instead of that, I’ve been thinking about her.

I growl in frustration, hating the mess I’ve created; I prefer things to be in order.

“Is that it?” Jadon asks, pointing to the brown folder.

“Yes, thanks,” I mutter, annoyed with myself.

I slide it out from beneath my laptop and hand it to him.

He nods and leaves the office and I’m alone with my thoughts again.

I lean back in the chair and rest my hands behind my head. Why was she snooping the other day? What was she looking for?

Could it be that she really was just curious about the set up?

I hardly know anything about Ulyana.

The bottom line is that I trust Nestor.

I think that’s the most important thing. I trust Nestor, and he wouldn’t have sent her on some crazy mission to find things out about me. I have nothing to hide from him, anyway.

I trust Nestor, so I have to extend that trust to Ulyana as well.

Perhaps she really does just have a curious nature, and maybe she was a bit bored at home.

I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt on that.

Besides, there is something else bothering me more than her snooping around.

I’m not blind. It’s obvious that there is an incredible amount of chemistry between is.

And I know she feels it too. I can see her body language whenever we get close.

Her eyes, the way her pupils dilate, and she gently bites her lower lip.

It’s driving me fucking crazy—but for some reason, she is not following through with anything.

In fact, the exact opposite is happening, and every single time we get close to each other, she shuts it down.

She’s fighting whatever is going on between us. And I want to pursue it and see where it goes, not stop it.

We’re married.

There’s no reason not to explore it.

I’m getting impatient. And frustrated.

None of this makes sense. Why would every other woman flock to me, practically pounce on me in their desperation to win me over, but Ulyana pushes me away, despite clearly being attracted to me?

She is my wife . I want to claim her properly.

I can’t stop thinking about it, wondering how it would feel to be with her, considering that the kiss still haunts me.

I want her and I want the world to see her wanting me.

If she thinks this is going to be some kind of open relationship where we only play the role of husband and wife, she is dangerously mistaken.

Ulyana is mine.

I will fucking destroy any man she might be involved with.

Would she do that?

Would she be seeing someone behind my back?

Just the idea of it has me on the edge of my seat, tapping my knuckles against the desk in heated anger.

I’m tempted to send word out on the streets that any man in Las Vegas who touches her will have to deal with me. But with her being my wife, it should be common knowledge. And any man who is tempted by her should already know he’s playing with his own life.

“Sir.” Jadon bursts back into my office, snapping me out of my thoughts. He looks excited.

“Miron was spotted,” he blurts out.

I stand up, also flooded with excitement. We’ve been waiting for news for so long now.

“Where? Where is he now?” I snap.

“He was seen near Dakota Street, at a small bar there, then afterwards he went into an office building. He came out, and my men lost him after that, but at least we know he’s still around.”

“They lost him?” I snarl, angry to get hyped up over nothing.

“Sorry, sir, he’s fucking slippery.”

Tension tightens my jaw. “Yeah, sorry, I know. I’m just frustrated. Did they question everyone at the bar?”

“Of course, they’re still busy talking to them now. So far, no one actually knows him. Whoever he was meeting there doesn’t seem to be an employee.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, running my hand through my hair. I stand up, too annoyed to bother trying to work anymore. “Okay, I’m heading home, but keep me in the loop.”

“Yes, sir,” Jadon says, stepping aside as I gather my things. “I have a feeling we’re going to find him again tonight. He was right out in the open, not even subtle about it.”

***

It’s late afternoon when I get home. I don’t call out into the house to let her know I’m here. Ever since I caught her in my office, I’ve taken a more stealth approach. And today it pays off.

She’s in the library, in the back room that leads to my rare books. Except she’s not looking at the rare books. She’s looking at the folders of old paperwork. I wonder what in the world she expects to find in there.

Her phone chimes a loud jingle, and my heart jumps as I duck out of sight.

She pulls it from her pocket and reads a message, smiling at the screen.

Who the hell is she smiling at? It could be anyone. It could be her brother or a friend. I need to calm down. I hate being the jealous type.

But my possessive streak deepens, and I knit my brows, watching her closely in case she gives anything away.

She stops her snooping and walks out of the library, into our room. When I peek through the open door, she’s getting dressed.

Going somewhere?

Meeting someone?

I can’t picture Ulyana dishonoring our wedding arrangements.

Not without discussing what she expects our relationship to be.

She knows what it would look like for her to be seen around town with another man, and she doesn’t seem to be that kind of girl, despite her outgoing, fun nature—she isn’t desperate for attention.

Besides, she has mine. She has my full attention, and she’s not even interested in that.

So, I’m confused about where she’s headed. The jealous streak in me is saying she’s meeting another man, but my logic says no. It’s something else. Besides, she’s wearing jeans and sneakers, not some sexy dress for a date. But dammit, she looks fucking incredible in those jeans.

Finally, I decide there is only one way to know for sure.

I have to follow her.

At least this will settle my concerns once and for all.

***

Ulyana takes the car I bought for her, a Mustang, something I thought was sexy enough for her to drive.

I take the black Audi, one of my general run-around cars, one that blends in and will be perfect for tailing her.

Of course, when I see where she was actually headed, I feel like a complete asshole.

She’s shopping on one of the popular streets. She parked her car near the top of the street and she’s walking on foot, with me trailing some distance behind her. She’s wandering leisurely through the crowds of people and stopping in the stores that catch her eye.

I can’t believe I thought she was going to meet another man. And I can’t believe I was ready to drive this imaginary man into the desert and make him disappear.

I chuckle to myself as I continue to follow her, just enjoying watching her.

As she browses, I take a mental note of the items she touches or admires. Things she likes, her style, the products that attract her. It’s good for a husband to know what his wife likes.

Her hands are delicate as she brushes her fingers over the fabric to feel the texture of a long coat.

She wanders slowly, relaxed and calm, taking her time to look at things.

She is too beautiful for words.

I wish she would stop stonewalling me.

I don’t know how much longer I can wait to be with her.

Or does she think this is how it will always be?

There must be some way I can win her over. I’m going to have to learn everything she likes. Start studying her in new ways.

I’ve never been this challenged by a woman before.

Suddenly, the idea of the chase becomes thrilling.

I’m a hunter and she is my prey.

Ulyana leaves the shop we’re in and walks across the street. I wait, keeping back, then follow her again.

But when she walks into a lingerie shop, my entire body feels like I’ve been hit by lightning.

The delicate, lace pieces hanging in the window are erotic, sheer, tempting and enough to make a man weak.

While I can handle looking at the lingerie, what I can’t handle is the image of Ulyana trying it on.

The way the lace would cling to her skin, curving over her breasts. How her nipples would shine through the fabric, teasing me.

My cock stirs and I realize I’m standing at the window of this lingerie boutique, peering into the store, looking like a fucking creep.

But I can’t stop watching her.

And I can’t walk away.

I have no choice but to go inside.

I step through the door and a bell rings above my head, soft, but making me wince anyway as it’s sure to draw attention. The lady behind the counter smiles at me and I wink at her, making her blush. That makes me chuckle.

Ulyana is around the corner, looking at a gorgeous black lace set. My heart slams against my rib cage, picturing her in it.

She’d look incredible in any color. It wouldn’t matter which piece she chose from this store—I’d rip it off her body with my teeth. I’d slip my fingers beneath the lace and tease her, pulling it tight against her skin, watching how it cuts against her.

My cock stirs and I try to push the images of her from my mind. I can’t let myself get so turned on here.

I watch her for a while. She seems caught up in what she’s doing, walking slowly around the store, browsing the different styles and designs, and I find myself grinning, curious to know what turns her on, what kinks she has, what unfulfilled desires.

I want to know her in the most intimate ways. I want the power to drive her crazy with lust.