Page 100 of The Bratva Sinner

“Pretty likely, but I’ll know for sure soon.”

I process that. I’d noticed her watching me a few times, but I’d chalked that up to the same resentment I got from most of the women here. I’m the new wife nobody asked for.

“Why?” I ask.

“She’s been seeing one of Arlind’s men.” He lets out a long sigh. “Or was. We don’t know for how long.”

“She could have been coerced.” I don’t know why I’m defending her.

“She could have been,” he agrees.

“She could have killed those horses,” I say.

“I think she was trying to kill you.”

I keep forgetting that “safe” isn’t real.

“Who can I trust?” I ask. “In this house. Right now. Who?”

He turns his head to look at me. “Ava.”

“And?”

“Cinder.”

I almost laugh. “You’re telling me one of the only people I can trust is someone who actively dislikes me.”

“She doesn’t dislike you.”

“Maksim.”

“She’s adjusting,” he says, “but she’s loyal. Whatever else she is, she’s loyal.”

Yeah, right.

“I’m sorry,” he says.

I settle back against him and pull his arm tighter around me. I've never been able to trust anyone.

So why do I trust him?

26

Maksim

I watch Lila from across the table, the lights of the club strobing across her face. She’s nursing her second drink—I’m counting—and talking to Ava about something that has them both laughing. I brought her in through the private entrance. She’s not twenty-one but my club, my rules. The music is loud enough that I can’t hear what they’re saying, but I see the way Lila’s shoulders have finally relaxed.

This is what she needed. What we both needed.

It took me two days to make sure this outing was as safe as I could make it. Damien is here, along with two other guards, who are positioned at strategic points around the VIP section. The club manager knows we’re here. Security has been briefed. Every entrance and exit is covered.

I still feel like I’m going to crawl out of my skin.

“She’s fine,” Damien says. “Look at her. She’s having fun.”

He’s right; she is. She’s wearing jeans and a black top that shows just enough skin to make every man in this place notice.I’ve stared down three guys who looked too long. She’s wearing heels. They aren’t as high as the ones she wore at the party, but they’re enough to make her legs look impossibly long. She’d tried on several outfits, including a dress that was way too short. Thankfully, she decided she wanted to be comfortable.

She catches me watching and smiles.