Page 19 of Forced Bratva Bride

“Gio’s home is beautiful, and he’s a lovely host,” I said, letting my gaze wander appreciatively around the room. “I wasn't expecting something so...warm.”

“What were you expecting?” Luca asked, leaning forward with interest. “A dungeon?”

I laughed whole-heartedly. Beside me, I felt Gio stiffen.

“Besides, the whole dungeon thing is more Dante’s style,” Achille said with a smirk. “The rest of us prefer being civil.”

Dante rolled his eyes but didn't contradict him.

“Now,” I said in an overly casual tone. “Where are those drinks?”

“Tsk,” Federico shook his head at Gio. “Some host!” His brother came over and gave me his arm. I left Gio’s and took his as he walked me to the bar. When I looked over my shoulder, I saw Gio frowning at me in warning, as though asking what it was I was playing at.

I gave him an innocent smile and turned my attention back to Federico.

“Red or white?” he asked as I reached for a wine glass.

“White, please.”

He poured me a drink, and we walked back to join the rest. “So… how long are you staying here for?” he asked.

Around me, I saw the others pause in conversation, eager to learn more about their brother’s guest.

“I plan to play it by the ear,” I said, non-committal in answer.

“And what brings you to New York?” asked Dante, without a smile. Something told me he was the one I needed to watch out for. The one who didn’t trust.

“Never been before,” I shrugged.

“And where is it that you are from?” he fired back immediately.

Beside me, I felt Gio stand straighter, his nervous energy rubbing off on me. “She’s—” he tried to intervene, but I cut him off, taking control of this situation. For some reason, I knew that if I allowed him to speak for me, I wouldn’t be able to bond enough with the brothers to get a foot in for an invite to the rest of the evening.

“I’ve lived in plenty of places,” I said with a smile. “My family moved a lot, but mostly we’ve been in the US.”

“You’ve spent time overseas?” Achille asked excitedly.

“My childhood in Russia,” I explained with a warm smile. There was nothing wrong with dangling that one truth in front of them. I knew they were part of a crime unit of some sort, and their last name told me they had Russian blood. I could beanyonefrom their world.

Gio watched every exchange with bated breath, but by now, he had realized I wasn’t going to give up his dirty secret. Yet, he hovered over me, his presence like a cloud.

“Will you be joining us for dinner, Larissa?” Luca asked, and I felt Gio stiffen beside me.

Before he could answer for me, I smiled brightly. “I'd love to, if it's not too much trouble. I'm absolutely famished.”

Gio's fingers twitched against my arm—a warning. I ignored it.

Luca’s eyes fell on Gio. “You might get bored…with talk of shop.”

I pretended to look disappointed when Achille scoffed. “We have no work to talk of tonight. Don’t be a bore, Brother. Or are you afraid we’ll run her off?” he wiggled his eyebrows at Gio.

I knew then that Gio was caught in a trap. His brothers had invited me for dinner and had made it clear they’d like my company. If he said no now, it would look strange.

As I predicted, Gio turned to me with a pained smile. “Join us,please.”

And just like that, I was in charge of the evening. I could now learn so much about Gio and his family—information I knew I would later use for leverage. A small, petty side of me wanted to flaunt it in Gio’s face, and without a second thought, I linked my arm through his and gave him a big, cheery smile. “Lead the way!”

He paused for a moment, his eyes traveling from my face to where our arms were interlinked. Just then, I realized what I’d done. I felt the heat of his skin crawl through my clothes, but I couldn’t exactly extract myself from the touch now without raising suspicion. I felt my ears redden, my cheeks flush and then, Gio smiled sweetly, as though he saw right through the racing of my heart.

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