Page 15 of Impregnated By the Bratva

“Supper is ready,” I said, smiling at her. Grace nodded and followed me downstairs to the dining room. There wasn’t much conversation during supper, which was probably better. The atmosphere was thick, and I didn’t want to provoke Pavel.

But before we were done, Grace suddenly spoke. “Is it only the two of you in this big house?”

Pavel looked up from his plate, directing his attention to Grace. I could see he wasn’t interested in her questions as his eyes narrowed. Swallowing the bite of food, I replied before he could give a snarky comment. “Yes, our other brother used to live here as well. But he got married and moved into a place of his own.”

Grace smiled warily as she looked from Pavel to me. “So, if either of you gets married, are you moving out as well?”

For a moment, it looked like Pavel was about to explode. “It depends,” I added quickly. “Maybe, but at this stage in our lives, we are not planning on getting married. Things in our lives are complicated.”

“What are you getting at?” Pavel shot at her as he got up from the table. He moved so quickly that his chair toppled over.

Glancing at Grace, I noticed the fear in her eyes. “Nothing,” she replied softly. “I was just trying to make conversation.”

“Stop,” I said, looking at Pavel. “This is no way to treat our guest.”

He glared at me for a second before picking up his chair and sitting back down. Grace didn’t speak further. Once Pavel was done, he got up and left. “I’m sorry,” I said, smiling tenderly at Grace. “Sometimes he doesn’t think before he talks.”

Pavel was still not satisfied. But at least he didn’t comment any further, which I appreciated. After supper, I led Grace back to the room she was staying in. “If there is anything, please let me know,” I commented as she entered the room.

Turning back slightly, she smiled at me. “No problem,” she said. “Thank you so much.”

“My pleasure,” I replied before closing the door and heading to my room.

Laying down on my bed, I stared up at the ceiling. I knew my feelings for her were out of place. But there was something almost magical about her. Yet, I had a job to do. I had to focus on that. Tomorrow, we’ll take it as it comes.

Chapter 8 - Grace

Entering the university building, I glanced back. I was glad to be able to attend my classes. With Makari keeping an eye on me, I could attend without worrying that someone was lurking in the shadows trying to kill me.

He walked through the hallways and the grounds. I wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but he said he’ll know when he sees it. It was comforting to know he was close by. He promised to be here all day.

Moving through the hallway, I wondered what about him attracted me so much. Yes, he made me feel protected, but at the same time, he also made me nervous. On the other hand, I never felt more alive than when I was with him. He was a complicated puzzle, unlike any man I’ve ever met.

He confused my mind, my heart, and my emotions. Taking my seat in the lecture hall, I battled to hear a word the professor said. My mind kept drifting back to Makari. Now and then, I would find myself smiling as I stroked my leg or arms, thinking of him. This happened in every class.

After my third class, I moved down the hallway, shaking my head. I had to do something to get him out of my thoughts. If I didn’t manage to concentrate, I would surely flunk. He mentioned meeting up with his professor friend in the library again later. Entering my fourth class before lunch, I decided I would go find him once the class was done.

This appeared to have settled my mind slightly as I managed to take notes during this class. I pushed through hordes of students heading in all directions as I tried to get to the library. It felt like there were suddenly more students than usual. Yet, I was impatient and wanted to get to my destination quickly.

Opening the library door, I smiled as I saw him seated at the table in the back. He was with the professor. They were deep in conversation as I neared them. I wondered if I should hang back for a moment. Then he looked up, and our eyes met.

I felt my heart sink to my stomach as he got up and came closer. “Hi, how’s your morning been?” he asked, kissing my cheek.

Flooding with emotion, I felt like I was back in high school, and the boy I had a crush on had just spoken to me. Glancing at my feet, I felt my body swaying from side to side. I was unable to control it. “Not too bad,” I replied softly. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Oh, no, we’re done,” he said, looking back over his shoulder.

I noticed the professor was no longer there. He must have left while we were talking. I hadn’t even noticed. “There was just one thing…,” he added, then shook his head. “It’s not important.”

Before I could question him about it, there was a loud roar of voices from behind me. Turning, I saw the library was instantly filled with students. Makari ushered me into one of the corners in the back of a row. We stood for a moment, watching the people moving around.

It turned out to be some of the university’s football team and their girls. We were standing so close that I could feel his breath on my face. He strangely smelled like peppermint, which was nice. He whispered in my ear as my mind drifted to other things. “You date any of these morons?”

Glancing around his broad shoulders, I studied the men and their friends. They moved around the tables, irritating some of the students. Some grabbed a book here and there and moved to the counter in the back. One tapped a cheerleader's ass before they disappeared through the door again.

“No,” I replied. “I mostly keep to my studies. I don’t have time for things like that. I might have gone on some dates.” Looking up at him, I placed my hand on his chest before continuing. “But the guys here don’t know how to please a woman.”

Makari took half a step back. I felt his hands on my hips as he looked at me, surprised. His hands slowly made their way up. As he caressed my shoulders, he placed one hand behind my neck, and the other came to rest on my chest.

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