Page 64 of The Pakhan's Forced Bride
“Just be careful. Two or three of these will have you dancing on a table,” Kira laughs.
They pull me around to the pool and we sit on the sun loungers, people watching while they explain who is who.
“That’s Dmitri, Emmanuel’s brother. And that’s Alexei, she’s a second cousin—to be honest, I don’t even know how she fits in,” Kira laughs, pointing out everyone and telling me their names.
“I won’t remember all of this,” I say, sipping my cocktail. “I’m terrible with names.”
“It’s okay, ours are the only names that matter,” Aly giggles, gesturing between herself and Kira.
The back garden is packed with people. There is a massive spit roast turning over hot coals, and men are standing around it, holding drinks and laughing loudly.
Music is playing from inside the mansion somewhere, and there are kids swimming in the pool. It’s the perfect summer vibe. Hot sun, warm breeze, and salty ocean air drifting through the garden.
I love LA.
“Oh my word, is that Fyodor?” Kira gasps. “I haven’t seen him in months. I have to go say hello.”
“Me too,” Aly says.
“Go ahead. I’m going to sit here for a while.” I smile, gesturing for them to go.
The girls rush off, and I stay on the pool lounger, pulling my phone from the pocket of my sundress.
Ulyana has been messaging me since I got my phone back from Ardalion. For now, she’s my closest contact with my brother, and she’s been helping ease my worry a little bit, even though she can’t fix the issue between Ben and me. It’s nice to be able to check in and make sure he’s okay.
Me: How are you today? I’m at an LA pool party.
Ulyana: We’re heading out for lunch soon. It’s a lovely day here.
Me: Here too. Lots of sun. How is Ben doing? He still hasn’t replied to me yet.
Ulyana: He’s okay. He’s still confused, though. He doesn’t understand what happened. Maybe if you tried to explain it all to him.
Me: I didn’t want to do that over a message. That’s why I tried to call him, but I think it’s better if I wait a bit longer for him to calm down. He was so angry when I saw him.
Ulyana: He was worried sick, Belle. We both were.
Me: I know you were. I’m sorry about all this. Hopefully, I can talk to Ben soon. But in the meantime, you guys must have a lovely day. I’ll chat again soon. Love you.
Guilt washes over me. I still haven’t told Yana that I was kidnapped. It’s also the reason I’m not pushing to talk to Benedikt yet. I don’t know what to tell him. I don’t want to tellhimI was kidnapped, either, because it might make him so angry that he comes after Ardalion with the intention of killing him.
That’s what happens in the bratva world. You can’t just go around stealing someone’s family members. It will cost you your life.
And Benedikt is already furious.
If he found out the truth, he would be a hundred times worse.
Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I scan the people standing around in the garden.
Ardalion is with his sisters, talking to the guy named Fyodor.
Kira is leaning against her brother, and he's got his arm affectionally wrapped around her.
The love he has for his sisters is visible from a mile away. You can see how close they are, all three of them. It’s really sweet.
He’s protective and gentle with them, but at the same time, I get the feeling that they all give each other a lot of shit.
A wide smile spreads over my face.
