In the Beginning (Volkov Bratva #1)(56)

“What are you doing?” She asked softly as he climbed into the bed, seeking her out to hold against his chest.

“I am a familiar face. I thought you might want me close.”

She smiled, shifting onto her side so she could run her fingers down his abdomen. “Or maybe you came in for other reasons?”

He sighed, stroking her hip. “I never take this for granted.”

Her brows drew together as she looked up at his serious tone. “What do you mean?”

“This,” he emphasized as he squeezed the bare flesh that was exposed by her shirt. “Having you with me, holding you. I want to stay with you like this.”

Lauren was at a loss for words, not sure what to say at his confession. She had no doubt that he cared for her, hell she saw it in his eyes, the way just the corner of his mouth would turn up when she did something that amused him. The way he always made sure to text her good morning and good night even on the days when she was sleeping in and wouldn’t be able to text him back for hours.

But she hadn’t known the depth of his feelings for her and she could almost infer what he was trying to tell her, the hidden meaning behind his words. And the reality of that thought scared her. Not because she didn’t feel the same way, but because it scared her.

“Tell me,” he said changing the subject, “what’s something you’ve always wanted to do?”

“Mm...” She thought about it for a moment. “I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights.” Looking up into his eyes, she asked, “Have you ever seen them?”

“Not that I can remember.”

She giggled softly. “I’m pretty sure you would know if you had. They’re pretty memorable. Or so I’ve heard.”

“Maybe one day we can see them together, yes?”

“I would love to.” It was so much easier saying the word when it wasn’t in the context she wanted to say it.

They laid together, just enjoying each other’s company, listening to the howling winds outside, but as Lauren’s mind began to wander, she thought of the conversation at dinner.

“Mish,” she started hesitantly. “What was that all about at dinner?”

He grew tense and she could tell that he didn’t want to answer, but he sighed, complying. “My uncle often speaks his mind even when opinion is unwanted.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing of importance.”

So similar to how the detectives treated Lauren when she was a teenager, down at the precinct when she gave another name for them to investigate. Hearing it from Mishca made her pull away from him.

“I’m not a child,” she said with a hint of bitterness in her tone. “I’m not under the disillusion that everyone in your family is going to like me.”

***

But what she didn’t understand was it was far bigger than whether or not his family ‘liked’ her. She was an outsider, ignorant of their world, but he had thought because he’d seen so many others bring women in, it would be easier for him to do it because of his position. But after his conversation with his father, Mishca was worried about what he had started.

Despite all of Mikhail’s gruffness and his loyalty to the Bratva, he would never volunteer information about Lauren, knowing that if anything happened to her, it would affect Mishca, but the others didn’t care. And no matter that they were forbidden to mention her to anyone, once they were gone from the manor, someone would talk.

Especially with what happened with Viktor at dinner.

Mishca was grateful that Alex had interrupted the heated debate between them, playing ignorant though she spoke Russian just as fluently as the rest of them.

He had hoped that he would never have to tell her about his other life, but now with Viktor’s sudden interest, he had to make a decision.

“He asked who you were and why you were here. He didn’t know I was bringing you.”

At least that was a partial truth. Viktor had asked who Lauren was, but he hadn’t asked why and he probably didn’t care, but he did make sure to point out that she wasn’t one of them, meaning unless Mishca made a point of saying Lauren was under his protection, anyone could target her. He would gladly say it, but unless she was apart of this world, he couldn’t offer her protection.

It was a never ending f*cking circle.

“Yea, I kind of gathered that when we first got here after seeing your dad’s reaction,” she said dryly. “I kind of thought—you know, since it’s their house—you might have mentioned it to them.”

“Come here.”

“Nope.”

She actually tried to roll away, the California king giving her plenty of room to put distance between them, but before she could get too far, he shot an arm out, grabbing her foot.

Lauren yelped in shock, trying to pull free. He held fast, enjoying the way she struggled, her face turning red.

“Mish, don’t.”

He saw the sudden apprehension in her face, the way her struggles increased. He knew without a doubt why she was so nervous.

“Are you ticklish, Lauren?”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course not.”

Mishca used his free hand to run his fingers down her instep. She jerked hard, almost able to pull free, but he tightened his hold, laughing at her angry smile.