Page 77 of The Russian's Bought Bride

“You’re surprised we’re functional human beings who happen to have families,” I murmur near her ear, watching the way she relaxes a bit more when I do.

“A little,” she admits under her breath, lips pulling into a faintly sheepish smile. “Maybe there are more children than I expected.”

I laugh quietly, and when her gaze holds mine, softer than before, something in me crumbles all over again.

Christ…I’m in serious trouble.

The hours pass more easily than I expect them to. There’s endless food, arguments about business, Mikhail getting swatted with a dish towel by Lily for teaching Dima inappropriate Russian phrases, and enough overlapping conversations to drown out the constant pressure usually sitting in the back of my mind.

It’s almost enough until Roman catches my eye from across the kitchen and tilts his head once toward the hallway.

It’s a silent command, and an indicator that he means business.

I excuse myself quietly before following him away from the others, watching briefly as the girls waste no time pulling Dani into another conversation before focusing on the task at hand.

The second we’re alone near his office, Roman’s expression shifts into a more serious one. “How’s Artem doing?”

“He’s still looking into Malenkov, but he has made more connections in his network,” I tell him, trying to offer as much asI can. “He made a hostage talk recently, who gave up one of his higher-ups and a location. It’s one step closer.”

“Good,” Roman says coolly with a single nod, but he lets the silence stretch before he murmurs, “Even so, you’re running out of time, Nikolai.”

It couldn’t be a family gathering without the reminder I knew was coming.

Leaning against the nearest wall, I fold my arms across my chest and keep myself steady. “I know.”

“He hit one of our warehouses already, and I have the feeling he’ll be gearing up for another. We can’t let that happen again.”

“It won’t.”

Roman studies me carefully for a long moment, and in his usual way, it feels more like he’s picking apart my very soul. “You sure you’re thinking clearly about this?”

I know what he means, of course.

Danielle. It’s always her lately, even when she’s a more grounding force in my life.

“I’m handling it,” I say evenly.

“That’s not what I asked.”

With a slow exhale through my nose, I return carefully, “I have been thinking clearly. Things between us have been better lately. You don’t need to worry about her.”

Roman’s gaze sharpens slightly, but I still catch the understanding there. “You care about her…fine. I get it, but don’t let that cloud your judgment. Don’t let this distract you.”

The words irritate me mostly because they’re both right and wrong, but still, I hold his stare to let him know I’m serious.

“I’m on it.”

“You better be,” Roman mumbles, watching me for another second before finally nodding once. Then he gestures vaguely towards the gathering. “Come on…I don’t want the others getting too curious. This isn’t what tonight is about.”

Then, just like that, the moment passes, and we return to the others.

The sounds of laughter and conversation grow louder again as we approach the living room, and Dani looks up immediately when I reenter.

The second our eyes meet, the tension in me eases all over again as the new trust and connection between us feels tangible now.

I don’t know how to define what’s happening between us now, but I do know that I’ll do everything in my power to make sure nobody takes that light from her eyes ever again.

Chapter 24 - Dani