All Chapters of Arranged To The Bravta King: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

MariaI pace the length of the living room, my fingers nervously tapping against my thigh. I can't keep still. I glance over at the setting sun for what feels like the hundredth time, waiting for Mikhail to return home. He called from the road to tell Dominika he was coming home early. The staff is in a frantic panic as they hurry to finish their work. Mikhail doesn't want to be disturbed, but I can't wait.Why was my father in that photo?We didn't talk about the photo last night. I was too scared to ask, and he was too angry to explain. My breath picks up as I think about what we did instead. I won't let it happen again until he talks to me. I'm bracing myself for the icy stare Mikhail will give me when I demand to know the truth from him.I fold my arms around my body and stop pacing. My thoughts are knotted into a tangle of chaos. My head spins with so many questions and doubts. I'm terrified to find out what's true and what isn't. My life is like a car wreck I can't stop staring

MariaI don't know how long I stayed there. When I wake up, Dominika sits in a chair, doing her needlework and humming softly. I don't want to talk to her. I want to be alone. But Dominika notices I'm awake and puts her needlepoint on her chair. She sits on the floor with me. She reaches over and brushes her fingers through my hair."It hurts now, koshka," she whispers. "But in time, the pain will fade."She pulls me against her, cradling my head, and lets me cry. The warmth of her body comforts me. Her familiar perfume fills my nostrils. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. It does hurt. The tears fall harder and faster until I'm sobbing uncontrollably. Dominika holds me tighter and whispers soothing words. She rocks me gently, and I sob in her lap until the tears finally stop.My voice is hoarse, but my words are clear. "Did he send you?"She frowns a little. "No. Mikhail Ivanov said you needed time alone.""He can go to hell." My voice hardens. "I hate him."Dominika shakes her

Maria"I need to talk to my father.""That's not a good idea," Lara says, her brow furrowing in concern.I grip her hands. "I need to know the truth from him," I reply. "Mikhail tells me his real name is Zakhar Budanov. There's a photograph in his desk. I ... I deserve to know!"Larissa's face pales as she pulls her hands out of my grip. Her hands clutch the sheets as if anchoring her to the moment."Please, Lara," I plead. "I need to hear it from him."Larissa nods slowly and releases the bedsheets from her grasp. "Yes," she says quietly, her gaze distant. "You do."I stare at her, perplexed, but her face is unreadable. She knows too much but doesn't want me to figure it out. I take a deep breath, wondering if I should push her, but I decide against it. Whatever Larissa knows, it will remain a secret, at least for now.Larissa takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "You should come home with me," she says firmly. Standing up, her posture is regal and defiant. "And you must be ca

MariaI don't tell Larissa what I said to my father, and there is a silent understanding between us. She can't tell Mikhail what she doesn't know.The next day is spent in a limbo between fear and boredom. Bratva men frequently show up at the estate, and I watch them with trepidation from a window in the family room as they patrol the large yard. All are armed, and a few men pace with huge dogs, pulling at the leashes. They walk closely around the fence and occasionally disappear into a detached garage.When one gestures at the window, I step away.Larissa sits comfortably in a huge easy chair with the television streaming some reality TV show she's barely watching. None of this seems to bother her. She glances at me and smiles. I smile back and wonder how long I will be here.Rurik strides quickly into the room, ignoring me like I'm a wilting plant in the corner.It's not my business, and I shouldn't care, but I wonder what he and Mikhail have been saying about me. Rurik walks over t

MariaLarissa stares at me, and her voice suddenly chills. "Who's that on the phone?"Wide-eyed, I stare at Larissa, terrified at what she'll think.No sense lying now. "It's my cousin Mercy. She lives in New York.""Maria! Maria!" Mercy shouts again, and it's louder this time as I pick up the phone. "Put me on speaker, goddamn it!"I do as I'm told and put the phone down on top of the covers. Larissa stares at it as if it's something unfamiliar. I wonder what she'll do to me. If she really meant all the kind words that she said. Or was it a trick? I sit motionless, embarrassed by what I tried to pull off.I had Larissa's consent to call my father and no one else.Larissa leans toward the phone. "Hello?" she asks."You Larissa?" Mercy replies."I am." Larissa scowls at me. "Who is this?""Maria's cousin, and I met you before," Mercy replies smoothly. "Look, the kid knows nothing. She's clueless, and it's not an act."Larissa picks up the phone and switches off the speaker. "When did w