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Zia nodded and picked up a fork. She took a bite of the salmon and groaned at how well-spiced and delicious it was. She had been too nauseous to eat anything in the last couple of days, but this was perfect. “God, it tastes really good,” she said, beaming with a smile. “You should eat yours.”
Lev smiled back. “Just eat. I don’t mind starving if it means I get to watch my beautiful wife eat.”
She blushed at how dangerously cool his voice was. “You’ve been calling me beautiful a little too much this evening.”
“Because it’s true. You’re breathtaking,” he said, his eyes boring into her. “So beautiful that I don’t mind sitting like this forever just looking at you.”
Her stomach churned, her chest burning with a flutter. Lev Nikolai would be the death of her. The man knew the right words to say to her every damn time.
Their conversation flowed easily for the rest of the evening. They talked, laughed, and ate. Each course was a masterpiece, from the delicate amuse-bouche to the rich, savory main course. Zia savored every bite of it, stealing from Lev’s plate a few times. He’d let her have it, and he didn’t try to stop her.
As dessert was served—a decadent chocolate soufflé with a molten center. That, too, was yummy enough to draw a moan from Zia.
Lev was still watching her as if just watching her eat was enough to fill him up. The mood tonight was perfect, maybe perfect enough for her to finally get to know him.
She took a sip of the juice in front of her. “So, do you mind if I ask about your family and your childhood?”
He sat back and pinned her with an unwavering gaze. “Ask whatever you want to know. I will answer as truthfully as I can.”
“Okay.” Zia thought of her first question carefully. “What type of relationship do you have with your brothers?”
“We’d die for each other,” he answered, his tone very casual.
Zia felt the sincerity in his voice. She was a stranger before she was his wife, yet he’d gone against Konstantin and protected her. How much more for his brothers?
“They hardly visit.”
“They don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he replied. “You don’t know them, and I forced you into marrying me, the last thing I want is to rush you.”
A pang of guilt rippled through her. His family had stayed away because they were being considerate of her. For some reason, it made her feel selfish. She didn’t have a family, at least not anymore, but she knew how hard that must’ve been for him.
“I’m sorry about that,” she muttered, lowering her head.
He shook his head. “Don’t be. I made that decision on my own and they’re perfectly cool with it. But I may or may not have a way if you wish to meet them.”
She tilted her gaze to him. “Spill.”
He smiled. “My oldest brother and his wife invited us to dinner. But of course, I told them we’ll only come when you’re ready.”
She gaped at him without blinking. “Your older brother, the head of the the head of the Bratva?”
He nodded. “My other brothers will be there if I request—”
“You turned down an invitation from the head of the Bratva?” She asked, cutting him off.
She’d heard of how ruthless and cruel the heads of the Russian mafia usually were. They killed women, children, and even their own family members for the slightest inconvenience, and Lev had turned down an invitation from one.
Lev squinted at her, seeming confused by her reaction. “Yes? Is something wrong?”
“Are you really—” she trailed off, sliding her fingers through her hair and catching her breath. “Won’t that make him really upset?”
A chuckle rumbled from Lev’s throat. “Are you afraid my brother will get angry and hurt me?”
She pursed her lips. She didn’t understand why he was acting like her concern was baseless. “Am I wrong to be? He’s the Pakhan.”
“My brother is not a monster. He’ll never hurt anyone of us,” Lev explained. “Like I said, we can give up our lives for each other. Does that sound like he can hurt any of us?”
“Well… I didn’t think of it that way.”
