Page 11 of Bratva Prince

“So does a prison,” she pointed out.

Dimitri tightened his jaw.Most people in his world accepted these systems without question.Sofia challenged them instinctively, and somehow, that made him rethink things he’d stopped noticing years ago.

The drive to the Volkov estate after the reception passed mostly in silence.Rain streaked across the armored windows while security vehicles surrounded them front and back.Sofia sat beside him composed and quiet.

Dmitri found himself watching her reflection occasionally in the darkened glass.When the estate gates finally opened ahead of them, massive wrought iron sliding apart slowly beneath floodlights and armed guards, Sofia’s gaze sharpened.

The estate spread across several acres beyond the gates, revealing stone pathways and elegant architecture.Of course, there were also security cameras mounted discreetly along walls and rooftop, and armed patrols moving continuously.It was luxury built around paranoia.

Dmitri waited for some reaction from her, disapproval perhaps, or anger.Instead Sofia simply became quieter.That unsettled him more than outrage would have.He wanted to know what thoughts crossed her mind but decided to keep quiet instead since he’d already botched their earlier conversation.Not a good start to their marriage he realized.

Inside, staff greeted them carefully as they entered the mansion.Dmitri barely listened while leading Sofia upstairs toward the private suite prepared for them.The bedroom suite occupied an entire secured wing.

It was well furnished, had floor-to-ceiling windows, a private sitting area, a security panel beside the entrance, and a panic room hidden behind reinforced walls.

Everything was expensive and monitored.

Sofia noticed it immediately.He watched her look at the cameras positioned discreetly near hallway entrances, the guards stationed outside the suite, and the controlled access systems.No true privacy anywhere.

Tension tightened quietly between them.

“Do all Volkov wives live under armed supervision?”Sofia asked finally.

Dmitri loosened his tie slightly.“Do all Marino daughters ask so many questions?”

“Only when trapped somewhere expensive.”

Dimitri suppressed his smile. He gestured toward the adjoining doors near the center of the suite.“Separate rooms.Shared access,” he told her.

Sofia crossed toward the doorway slowly, gaze lingering briefly on the security keypad beside it.Was she still calculating escape routes?Good.He respected that.

Eventually the night settled heavily over the estate.

Staff disappeared, lights dimmed, and silence spread through the massive house.Dmitri removed his jacket slowly inside his room before setting his gun on the nightstand within immediate reach out of necessary habit.

Beyond the adjoining wall, Dimitri faint movement echoed softly through Sofia’s rooms.A drawer opening, footsteps, and water running briefly.

He had a wife now.The word still felt unfamiliar in his head—dangerous too.For the first time in years, someone equally intelligent and equally watchful now existed inside his private space.

That would either become his greatest weakness, or his most valuable ally.Dmitri lay awake staring at the dark ceiling long after midnight while faint movement occasionally sounded beyond the adjoining door.

Dimitri had a feeling that neither of them trusted the other enough to sleep fully.