Page 15 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

But when I step into the living room, that isn’t what I sense at all.

Raisa grabs one of her brother’s arms. “Roda, this is Jade, she’s staying with Rad for a while.”

“Hi, Jade, I heard what happened, it must have been such a shock. Are you doing ok?” he asks with genuine sounding empathy. I nod blindly, momentarily dumbfounded.

Another one of Rad’s brothers steps towards me. “Jade, it’s good to meet you.” He grins and I stare between the brothersin shock. They are one fucking good looking family. How can every single one of his brothers be this hot.

I turn towards Radmir and the slightest smile touches my lips.

They aren’t as hot as him, though. He’s like Adonis-level heat wave.

Shit. I’m doing it again.

“Jade—“

I turn towards Roda. “Yes, sorry—“ I say, completely overwhelmed by everyone being so nice.

“I asked if Rad was treating you ok?” he chuckles, showing a mouthful of perfect teeth.

“He is treating me better than ok.” I nod, smiling.

I am so relieved when I feel Radmir step up behind me. He is something familiar amongst all of this chaos.

“I see you’re meeting everyone. Renat, Roman—“ he calls to his other brothers, gesturing for them to come over.

I giggle shyly. “I won’t be able to remember everyone’s names,” I confess with my cheeks burning red.

“You’re overwhelming her, Rad.” Roda laughs, “Come on, everyone, let’s sit down at eat. I’m starving.”

Roda, whose name I learn is actually Rodion, sits down without waiting for confirmation from anyone. He seems to take the lead naturally somehow, but the rest of them chirp and hand out cheeky comments continuously back and forth of fun banter.

“Roda is the oldest, that’s why he’s so bossy,” Radmir whispers in my ear as though he can read my thoughts. He is leaning close and letting the heat of his breath brush over my neck. I shudder in delight. “Come sit next to me,” he says, pullinga chair out for me and once I’m settled in, he sits right next to me with our legs brushing against each other and my skin tingling at the touch.

Everyone starts dishing up and passing take-away boxes back and forth across the table.

“Hand me that one,” Radmir says to one of his brothers, who passes him a tray of assorted foods.

He sets it in between us. “Thai curry, dumplings… Oh, the rolled pizza is over there. I’ll grab it before Roda finishes it all. And then I ordered New York steak strips with blue cheese sauce.“

He grins, looking triumphant.

“Oh, and I took the liberty of ordering prawns in garlic butter because I love those and seeing as we seem to have the same taste in food, I thought you might too.”

Staring at him I can’t help but knot my brows, an odd smile of confusion spreading across my face. He literally got me everything I mentioned and extra. He went out of his way to make me feel welcome with his family. He has been nothing but gentle and generous since I got here.

“Did I forget something?” he asks, raising his brows because I haven’t said a word yet.

“No, you—you—this is perfect.” I grin.

“I’ll dish up a bit of everything for you before these savages get their hands on it,” he says, taking a few smaller plates and starting to fill them with all the assorted flavors. I watch him as he serves me, wondering how he is managing to keep up this facade of being so kind and caring.

When will he slip up and show me his other side.

The side of him that murdered my brother.

TherealRadmir Kuztnetsov.

I clench my jaw and remind myself who is he, but sitting at this table, surrounded by his brothers and sisters, all I can feel is warmth and family and love. It reminds me of dinners with my brothers and sisters. The back and forth. The snarky comments, the teasing and playfulness. Fighting for the best foods and complaining when someone steals the last of a favorite.

---