Page 161 of Bratva Menace

I did another quick glance around the table, making sure there wasn’t a single thing out of place. A speck of fluff was sitting next to Lyla’s plate. I picked it up and glared at it.

“What are you doing? Are you trying to ruin everything?!” I hissed at the inanimate object. “Fuck off before you destory all my hard work.” I flicked it away and rubbed the sleeve of my jacket over that spot vigorously, making it spick-and-span again.

Laughter and footsteps echoed to my ears from the front of the house. My spine snapped straight. She’s coming. I cleared my throat, straightened the lapels on my jacket, and took my position by the front door.

I cracked my neck one side, then the other before blowing out a deep, calming breath.

You can do this, Lukyan. You can do this⁠—

Lyla walked in. My heart stopped dead in my chest. She was so goddamn beautiful. I honestly had no idea what I had done in a previous life to be so fucking lucky. Her hair was down in waves, cascading over her shoulders. Her honey-colored eyes were lit up bright. Sparkling. And her smile?

God, her fucking smile.

It took my breath away every time I saw it.

Lyla froze in the doorway, looking at me and then the—not to toot my own horn—beautifully decorated table behind me. “What is this?” she breathed out in shock.

I bowed gallantly at the waist, turning my body as I spread my arm out wide. “Your dinner awaits, my lady.”

Lyla giggled and did a fancy curtsy. “Why, thank you, good sir.”

I offered my hand, and she placed hers in it. My gaze snagged on the wedding ring on her finger, and a burst of pride exploded in my chest.

She is mine. All fucking mine.

I led her over to the head of the table and pulled out her seat.

She giggled again. “I have no idea what’s going on, but I am loving it.”

I chuckled. “Thought you might.” I winked. I went back over to the door and gave Illayana a hug. “Thank you for your help,” I whispered.

“Anytime,” she replied, returning the hug.

She, of course, didn’t know what the dinner was about. Just that I needed her help distracting Lyla while I set it all up. Maybe one day, I would tell my siblings.

Maybe not.

She stepped back and waved to Lyla. “Thanks for breakfast. See you later.”

“Yeah, see you later! And hey, I still want that spar soon,” Lyla said, a smirk of excitement curling on her lips.

Illayana’s smirk mirrored hers. “Definietly.” And then she left.

“You sure you want to spar with her? She fights dirty,” I said jokingly, but also not at the same time because I knew from firsthand experience Illayana did whatever she needed to do to win a fight.

Lyla’s smile was big and bright. “Oh, I’m sure. I’ve seen her fight. I think it’ll be fun.”

I laughed, shaking my head. I retrieved the bottle of champagne from the ice bucket and popped it open.

Lyla arched a brow. “Champagne? What are we celebrating?”

“It’s our anniversary,” I said casually, pouring the champagne into her glass.

She frowned, thinking it over. “No, it’s not.”

I poured my glass next and placed the bottle down on the table before taking my seat beside her. I picked up my drink, leaned back, and crossed my ankle over my knee, staring her dead in the eyes. “Yes. It is.”

Two years earlier