Page 16 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

Radmir and I comment on each of the flavors, deciding our favorite has to be the dumplings with the New York steak coming in a close second and the Thai curry at third place.

“Without the blue cheese sauce, the steak would be at third place though,” I say seriously.

“Oh, I one hundred percent agree.” He nods as though we are judging some five-star cooking show.

I can’t stop smiling, enjoying the atmosphere far more than I expected to. Surprised by everything and everyone.

Ruvim leans over and hands me a fortune cookie. “We always get these. Just for fun.” He grins.

“You guys don’t strike me as being the superstitious types?” I say, tilting my head to the side.

“The universe is a big and beautiful place. Who are we to say what magic is or isn’t out there?” Ruvim winks at me.

“Hey, stop flirting with her, Ruv,” Renat says loudly, teasing his brother.

Everyone cracks up laughing when Ruvim’s eyes shoot wide and he quickly turns his head away.

I’m laughing, too.

The brothers carry on eating and teasing each other. They are much nicer to their sisters, but it’s not like the girls don’t get teased too.

The night is coming to an end, and my heart feels warm and full, as though I’ve had dinner with my own family, with my own brothers.

Suddenly, all I can think about is Grigor.

The ache that slams into my heart is intense and deep and no matter what I do, despite my best efforts, I can’t push it aside. I can’t ignore it and I feel the lump in my throat starting to grow bigger as I try to swallow it away.

“Are you ok?” Radmir asks, leaning close and speaking quietly.

I nod, too nervous to speak incase my voice cracks.

“Jade, are you sure?” he says, brushing his hand over my leg.

His tenderness is making it worse.

I don’t cry in front of people. Not real tears. Those fake crocodile tears I put on display when hesavedme where different. This is real emotion. Raw and untamed. I don’t letanyonesee me like this. Not even my own family. I’m the strong one. I’m the one who doesn’t need anyone.

Standing up, I mutter, “I just need to excuse myself for a moment.”

Then I hurry out of the dining room before anyone can say anything or see the tears already spilling down my cheeks.

I run up to my bedroom and sit on the edge of my bed, gasping through the tears that are now streaming down my cheeks.

I don’t expect Radmir to follow me so when I hear a soft knock on the bedroom door I jump a little and hurriedly wipe the tears away as though I could hide them. But I think it’s way too late for that. My face must be a blotchy mess at this point.

Radmir walks in and sits next to me on the bed, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me up against himself.

“Hey, are you ok, what’s going on?” he asks gently.

I shake my head and swallow hard. This is too real.

“Jade, you can talk to me—“ he says.

I bite my lip and then sigh softly.

“It’s my brother,” I whisper. “He-he died earlier this year. I just—I miss him so much sometimes it gets really overwhelming. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—“ I start crying again, unable to stop myself.

He grabs me in both arms and pulls me onto his lap. Wrapping his arms so tightly around me it’s as though he is protecting me from the entire world.

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