Page 85 of Forcibly Sold to the Bratva
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The following week, when I’m finally feeling like myself again, I go to find Tikhon in his study.
“I need to get out of the house,” I tell him. “I’m going stir-crazy.”
He looks up from his laptop. “Where do you want to go?”
“That Italian place on Riverside.” I keep my voice casual. “I’ve been craving their pasta.”
Tikhon breaks into a smile. “That sounds lovely. Let’s go! When?”
“Can we all go? Tomorrow for brunch?” I ask. “I feel like we haven’t spent much time together since…everything.”
“Arina,” Tikhon’s face softens like it used to when I was just a little girl and he covered for me, no matter what. “That sounds like the best plan.”
That night, I call Ilariy.
“I miss everyone,” I tell him. “Rurik, Agafon, Nikandr, Tatiana, Katya... all of you.”
“They miss you too,” he says softly.
“Could you bring them to Bellini’s tomorrow?” I suggest. “Around noon? Tikhon said I can step out, and he might not let me visit your house, but a quick lunch could be good.”
Ilariy goes quiet, and I cross my fingers. “Everyone?” he asks, a little skeptical.
“Yes, everyone,” I say, a little too fast.
“Arina... what are you planning?”
I wince. Fuck. He knows me too well.
“Trust me,” I whisper. “Please.”
His sigh is heavy with concern, but he agrees.
* * *
My heart hammers against my ribs as we pull up to the restaurant. We step out of the car, and I offer my brothers a smile, but it must look pained because Tikhon’s brows furrow.
I turn and we head inside before Tikhon thinks something is wrong.
The host leads us to our table, one set for far too many people, and when Alexey protests, the hostess shrugs and says the others are all reserved.
It’s a lie—I called her the previous night to say I bribed her a little to go along with it. My brothers sit awkwardly, and I scan the restaurant anxiously. There’s no sign of Ilariy and the others yet. Maybe he changed his mind. Maybe this was a terrible idea. I begin to panic.
“Arina,” Andrei’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “You look pale. Are you feeling alright?”
“Fine,” I say, taking a sip of water to hide my nerves. “Just... tired.”
We’re looking through the menu when I hear the chime over the doorway, and when I look up, my heart gives a little lurch. They’re here. Ilariy, Agafon, Lilibeth, Bogdan…everyone.
Tikhon follows my line of sight, and when he sees who has my attention, he gasps. “What the hell are they doing here?”
My brothers exchange tense looks, and from across the room, I see the Sokolovs freeze.
Shit. I need to settle them all down before this blows up.
“Tikhon, don’t do anything. I invited them here,” I whisper urgently, placing my hand over his. “Please.”
