Page 45 of Innocently Captured By the Bratva

“Hi, I’m Amelia,” she says sweetly, before swatting at her husband’s arm. “Keeping secrets, are we?”

I find myself laughing along with them, the tension slowly ebbing away in the face of their easy banter and genuine warmth. Mark stands beside me, his hand never far from my back.

“Can I get you a drink?” he whispers in my ear. The air hits my neck, and I shiver from unwanted desire.

“Yes, please,” I say, my voice coming out hoarse.

We make our way to the bar, where Mark hands me a glass of red wine before introducing me to several others. I already know his brothers, Abram, Vladimir, and Denis, who greet me warmly. Then there’s Mikhail, with his booming laugh and infectious smile, and Caterina, elegant and poised, who regards me with keen interest. Lastly, there are Lev and Pippa, the bickering yet clearly devoted couple who remind me so much of my parents.

“So, you're the woman who finally managed to tie down our Mark,” Artyom, the youngest of the Orlovs, comments. “I never thought I'd see the day.”

I laugh, the sound a little too high-pitched to my own ears. “Well, what can I say? I'm pretty irresistible.”

Artyom chuckles, clearly amused by my response. “I like you,” he declares, raising his glass in a toast. “Welcome to the family, Quinn.”

I clink my glass against his, the gesture feeling oddly significant, even though it’s all but a lie. As I take a sip of my drink, I catch Mark's eye, a flicker of something unreadable passing between us.

Throughout the evening, Mark remains attentive, his hand always finding the small of my back or the curve of my waist. He refills my drink without being asked, his fingers brushing against mine as he hands me the glass.

“Having fun?” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear.

I nod, leaning into his touch. “Your family is...a lot,” I admit, my voice low. “But in a good way, I think.”

Mark chuckles, the sound vibrating through his chest. “They can be overwhelming,” he agrees. “But they mean well. And they seem to like you.”

I glance around the room, taking in the smiling faces and the easy laughter. Despite my initial reservations, I find myself starting to relax, the warmth of the family's welcome seeping into my bones.

As the night wears on, I find myself drawn into more conversations, each one a little easier than the last. Mark's siblings regale me with embarrassing stories from his childhood,their laughter infectious as they share memories of a young Mark getting into all sorts of trouble.

I can't help but join in, my laughter mingling with theirs. For a moment, I forget the pretense, the fact that this is all just an act. In this moment, surrounded by the warmth and camaraderie of Mark's family, I feel like I belong. I get caught up in the experience, savoring the various cocktails and snacks they keep offering.

Watching them, I feel a pang of longing so sharp that it takes my breath away. I've always been independent, proud of my ability to stand on my own two feet. However, seeing the warmth and love that surround Mark's family, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be a part of something like that. All I have in this world to call family are my parents, who are happy in their retirement and traveling the world.

Memories of my uncle gush back. I remember how he filled our home with laughter on his visits and how special he made me feel. But when he passed, we were down to just three, and I wonder, on a certain level, what it might be like to have a family this big, this boisterous, this large, and happy.

Lost in my thoughts, I don't notice Mark approaching until he's standing right beside me. “Penny for your thoughts?” he murmurs, his voice low and intimate.

I startle slightly, then shake my head. “It's nothing,” I say, forcing a smile. “Just...taking it all in.”

Mark studies me for a moment, his blue-gray eyes seeming to look right through me. “Come on,” he says, taking my hand. “Let's go get some air.”

He leads me out onto the balcony, the cool night air a welcome respite from the warmth of the house. For a moment,we stand in silence, looking out over the twinkling lights of the city below.

“I know this isn't easy for you,” Mark says finally, his voice soft. “Pretending to be something we're not.”

I shrug, trying to play it off. “It's not so bad,” I say, but even I can hear the uncertainty in my voice.

Mark turns to face me, his expression serious. “Quinn,” he says, and the sound of my name on his lips sends a shiver down my spine. “I know we didn't exactly start off well. But I want you to know that... I'm here for you. Whatever you need.”

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly tight. “I just...” I hesitate, the words sticking in my throat. “I've never had this before. A family, I mean. Not really.”

Mark's expression softens, his eyes filled with understanding. “I know,” he says quietly. “It’s truly something special, isn’t it?”

He reaches out, his fingers brushing against my cheek in a gesture that feels almost unbearably tender. For a moment, I lean into his touch, allowing myself to envision what it would be like to experience this, not just the pretense, but the reality of it. To belong to someone, to be part of something greater than myself.

But then reality comes crashing back in, and I pull away, my heart racing. “We should get back inside,” I say, my voice rough. “Before someone comes looking for us.”

Mark nods, but there's a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. “Of course,” he says, offering me his arm. “Shall we?”

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