Page 26 of Forcibly Sold to the Bratva
I check the window and see with relief that the men are gone. But the relief is short-lived as I realize what just happened between Arina and me.
That wasn’t just a cover. That was real.
“They’re gone,” I say, my voice unsteady. “We should go.”
Arina nods, avoiding my eyes as she stands. I follow her out the door, and we ignore the products on display for sale. I pull out my phone, not wanting to talk about what just happened, and see a text from one of my men.
“They found us a hotel,” I tell Arina.
She sighs and nods, but still avoids my gaze. “We should go,” she mumbles.
“What about dinner?” I ask, remembering I promised her a meal.
“We’ll just order at the hotel,” she says, and this time around, she looks at me, like she’s assessing if I might be hurt or something.
“Of course,” I say, covering up the pang of disappointment. “It’s been a long day.”
We step out and hail the first cab we can find.
***
We settle into our new hotel suite with adjoining rooms. My men chose to forego a villa due to security concerns from the infiltration that happened at the last resort. I didn’t argue because an enclosed room seems like a safer option.
I’m flicking through the room service menu when Arina comes and sits by me on the couch.
“What would you like to eat?” I ask, handing her the menu. “I’m thinking I’ll have a steak.”
“The grilled pomfret is fine,” she says, picking the first thing off the specials.
I nod and call room service, placing our orders. When I’m done, I turn to find her watching me.
“What’s up?” I ask casually. “Want to watch a movie or something?”
A flicker of weakness crosses her face, but then she shakes her head as if what I suggest is an absurd idea.
“No,” she says. “I want to know what you meant when you said the hotel was compromised. I want to know who those men chasing us were.”
I sigh and run a hand through my hair. “It’s complicated. A long story.”
“I’ve got time.” She crosses her arms.
It would be so easy to just tell her now and see how disappointed she’ll be in me. I don’t know what she thinks ofme, but if she truly knew how dangerous I am, she wouldn’t be asking these questions.
So, for now, while we’re here in this beautiful resort, I’d rather just avoid that disappointment altogether. I’d rather not tell her what it’s like being married to a Bratva man, let alone that I am the Bratva.
“Look, it’s been a long day. How about you let me take you out for dinner tomorrow? Someplace nice. Someplace private.” My throat dries at how this sounds, like I’m asking her for a date or something.
“And you’ll tell me tomorrow?” she asks, her shoulders settling at last.
“Let me wrap up my business deals tomorrow. And then we’ll talk,” I lie, buying myself time.
She considers it for a moment, a moment too long that allows me to feel guilty. She doesn’t pick up on the fact that I said we’ll talk. Not that I’ll give her the answers she seeks.
“Deal,” she says, breaking into a smile.
And once again, I feel like the biggest liar on the planet.
Chapter 8 - Arina
