Page 50 of The Bratva Betrayal

That’s the first thing I register.

Deep red. Dark enough to remind me of blood drying on knuckles after a fight.

The bikini barely qualifies as decent. Thin straps against pale skin, curved high over her hips in a way that makes my body react before I can stop it.

Cady pauses near the mirror, adjusting one side of the top absently while studying herself.

It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to walk across the room, drag her back into the fitting room, and yank the curtain behind us.

I can’t.

She’s Misha’s girl, and Ben just got done reminding me where priorities belong.

If I touch her once, I know I won’t stop.

Anna lets out a low whistle beside me. “Okay, now that’s unfair, Cady.”

Cady glances over at her and smiles.

“What do we think?” Anna asks brightly, looking between us.

I should lie.

Should say it looks fine and leave it there.

Instead I say, “Misha likes blue.”

Cady’s brows pull together. “What?”

I keep my expression flat even while my body remains uncomfortably aware of every inch of exposed skin in front of me.

“My brother likes blue,” I repeat calmly. “I prefer red.”

Anna blinks between us, and Cady’s eyes narrow.

“And what does that mean?” she asks. “I think he’d like me in anything.”

“You should get it,” Anna encourages. “Seriously. If I had your body, I’d never wear clothes again.”

“I’m sure Misha would survive either way,” Cady says casually, her eyes moving back to the mirror as she angles her body to study what she has on. “He promised me a trip next week.”

Next week?

Not happening.

Anna stands. “I’m gonna go see if they have my size in that.”

Cady keeps pretending to study herself in the mirror, but I can feel the awareness rolling off her.

“You can stop glaring at me any time,” she says.

“I’m not glaring.”

She laughs under her breath.

Then, she turns around fully. The bikini leaves nothing to the imagination, and my brain starts supplying imagery I absolutely do not need.

She cocks her head. “You hate it?”