Page 50 of The Bratva’s Stalked Pregnant Bride

Of course Katie and Nat were best friends again, and the stories kept flowing, my loyal cousins resolutely staying quiet about anything remotely related to the Bratva. We were having such a good time I almost forgot I hadn’t settled anything with Laurel’s ex and all of my questions were still unanswered.

When I was sitting beside Laurel, my arm slung around the back of her chair and her soft hair brushing against my arm when she leaned back to laugh, none of it mattered. Just her.

What started as a curiosity-driven obsession was turning into so much more at a rate of speed I couldn’t slow down if I wanted to. Something that was becoming as necessary to me as oxygen.

Chapter 29 - Laurel

After dinner, Mik’s cousins headed home, not wanting to take up any more of our honeymoon. Every time one of them said the word, I blushed, remembering how eager I was to get back to the hotel before we left to meet them for dinner.

It all seemed so real, especially after I started having such a good time, getting whirled around on the small dance floor in the restaurant by Mik’s chivalrous cousins. They all got along so well, really more like siblings than cousins. They weren’t bothered by the fact I couldn’t keep track of their twisting family tree, and they assured me I’d piece it all together in time.

If only. That’s what I found myself wishing for, distracted by their camaraderie and joking good natures from being so impatient to get rid of them. It was like the shootout had never happened. I went from anxiously watching every door and window, fearful of a new attack, to being completely relaxed.

It had to be Mik and his strong, sure presence. He had to be shaken up by what happened, but he was hiding it a lot better than I was and always seemed ready and willing to take on the world for me. Even being in the same town as Rand, and at an upscale restaurant he supplied wines to, didn’t freak me out.

The last I saw that jerk was when he was running from Mik, and there was no doubt in my mind that Mik would send him packing again if he dared try anything if our paths crossed.

“We need to see you up in San Francisco soon,” Lev said as he handed Jenna into the back of the car.

They’d had their share of wine but had a driver to take them home. CJ and Mat left a little earlier than they did, joking about still somewhat being in their own honeymoon phase. I envied them for their happiness and their surety that what they had was real.

“I might be seeing you in LA soon if things keep going the way they’re going,” Mik said in a low voice.

It piqued my curiosity, because for a brief moment, they looked far too serious, when the entire evening had been filled with laughter up until then. But I forgot all about it when the car drove away, and Mik turned, pulling me into his arms.

“The night’s not over yet,” he said, sweeping my hair aside to kiss me below my ear.

“It’s not?”

He shook his head, smiling down at me with a look of pride. Was he thinking of me as his wife just then? “No, now that it’s just us, we need to go on a date. It’s a little odd that we’re married, but we’ve never gone out together.”

He dismissed our night at the brewery the last time we were in town, citing it as business. “So what do you think?” he asked. “More dancing? I love it when your cheeks get all rosy.”

“There are other ways you can make them that way,” I said, rising up so my lips were level with his.

His hand snaked up my back to rest against my head, pulling me that last inch for a kiss. We only broke apart when our car rolled around, and the valet hopped out, pretending not to notice us making out while we waited.

“I can hardly believe I’m saying this,” Mik said once we were inside. “But there’s plenty of time to get back to the room. My room or yours as long as we’re both in it together. Right now I want to show you off some more.”

“Oh, you’ve been showing me off all this time?” I asked, hardly believing him, but still glowing.

He gave me a look so full of intensity that I shivered. “Yes. You’re beautiful, full stop, but every man in the restaurant couldn’t keep their eyes off you in that dress. It was kind of pissing me off, to be honest.”

I laughed. “I think you’re exaggerating.”

“Not even a little bit, Laurel. And you charmed my family once again. Every single one of them adores you.”

“Almost every single one,” I reminded him, pleased enough by his words that I didn’t want to think about his father.

He blinked, then scowled. “That doesn’t matter. My father will accept us eventually. He has no choice.”

“I suppose divorce is worse than marrying someone inappropriate?” I asked, unable to keep my mouth shut.

“That’s not going to happen.”

It wasn’t? Then how would we dissolve this pretend union? An annulment seemed out of the question by now. Before I could dwell on it, he was kissing me as the driver appeared out of nowhere and we sped toward our next destination. Too soon after that, the car stopped.

Mik pulled away, and I slowly opened my eyes, still feeling the firm pressure of his lips on mine. Everything was amazing again, even if the fact that this was only temporary was still in the back of my mind. Way back, and pushed even further when we hurried into the packed nightclub.