Page 110 of Forced plus-size Bride of the Bratva
The applause rolls in like thunder, steady and respectful. Glasses clink. People rise to their feet. I lift a glass of dark liquor, the burn already familiar on my tongue. Jennie’s hand rests lightly on my chest, grounding me.
“To loyalty,” I say. “To strength. To family. And to the woman who gave me something I never thought I needed—peace.”
Everyone echoes, “To family. To Jennie.”
She squeezes my hand, a quiet thank you in the touch, and I lean in just enough for only her to hear. “I meant every word.”
Her smile is radiant.
Then Zoe swoops in with a dramatic “Excuse me, brother-in-law, but the queen’s needed on the dance floor,” and Violet is already tugging Jennie’s arm.
Jennie laughs, her fingers sliding from mine like silk. I let her go, watching as she disappears into the crowd again. She’s glowing—untouchable, beautiful, mine.
Kaz slides in beside me, already nursing his drink.
“You’re pathetic,” he mutters into the rim of his glass, eyes on Jennie. “I’ve never seen a man so whipped in my life.”
I grunt, not taking my eyes off her. “Careful. You’re starting to sound jealous.”
He scoffs. “Of what? Emotional entanglement? Soft eyes? Frequent baths? Pass.”
“She’s changed me,” I say quietly.
He side-eyes me. “You say that like it’s a good thing.”
“It is,” I murmur. “It is.”
He doesn’t say anything to that. Just downs the rest of his drink, sighs, and claps me on the back. “Still. If you start writing her poetry, I’m staging an intervention.”
I smirk.
“Then you better get your pen ready. Because I’ve got sonnets in me.”
Kaz groans, but he’s smiling too.
I turn toward the dance floor, expecting to see Jennie swaying between Zoe and Violet, caught up in their laughter. But she’s not there. Just them, twirling in heels, tossing their heads back in delight, completely unaware.
My eyes scan the room, and then I see her. At the far end. Slipping past a server and hurrying down the corridor, her silk dress rippling like a shadow behind her.
My blood chills.
Something’s wrong.
Without thinking, I push my glass into Kaz’s chest and weave through the crowd.
Chapter 25 – Jennie
I barely make it into the bathroom before I’m on my knees, clutching the porcelain and vomiting like my body’s trying to empty itself completely. My stomach twists, raw and hollow, and tears sting the corners of my eyes as I gasp for air between heaves.
I hear the door burst open, fast and loud. It’s probably Violet or Zoe. I told them I needed to pee, but the way I ran out of there—I should’ve known they’d follow me.
I feel a hand on my back, warm and strong. Another gently gathers my hair, holding it away from my face like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
It’s not Zoe or Violet. It’s my husband. Adrian.
He doesn’t speak right away, just crouches beside me, thumb gently stroking my spine like it’ll help calm me. His presence fills the room, anchoring me like always.
When I finally find the strength to sit back against the wall, Adrian grabs a cool towel and wipes my face, his brows drawn together in deep concern.
