Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Home.
“I missed you,” I whisper, happy to be reunited with my brother.
“Not half as much as I missed you,” he chuckles. “Let me take a look at you.” He pushes me back, his hands resting on my shoulders as his eyes lock on mine.
I’ve never been able to hide anything from Misha, so I’m not surprised when he tilts his head. “What’s wrong?”
Shaking my head, I brighten my smile. “I’m just nervous about meeting Aurora.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’re going to love her,” he assures me.
Misha lets go of me to greet Mr. and Mrs. Aslanhov while Alek comes to give me a hug. “Hey, T. Miss me?”
Pulling back, I smile as I tease, “A little.”
“A little, my ass,” he grumbles. His eyes sweep over me then he frowns. “What happened to the jeans and sneakers?”
I glance down at my black stiletto-heel ankle boots, the tight black pants, and the off-shoulder lace-up-front top I’m wearing.
Lifting an eyebrow at Alek, I smirk, “I’m not a teenager anymore and have to dress the part of a bratva princess.”
He pulls a disgruntled face. “I liked the jeans and sneakers better.”
“I agree,” Misha says as he joins us. “Every asshole in this place is going to stare at you.”
“Don’t gang up on me,” I pout playfully before linking my arm with Misha’s. “When will I meet Aurora?”
“Now.” His eyes, the same color blue as mine, tighten with a serious expression. “I love Aurora.”
Reading between the lines, I say, “I’ll do my best to welcome her to the family.”
I can see he means it when he replies, “Thank you.”
Misha leads me into the castle, and I glance around as we walk past a grand staircase. There are murals of old battles painted on the ceiling, and the air feels tense and ominous.
When we enter a dining hall, my eyes scan over the occupied tables.
I don’t have anything to do with the bratva or mafia, so I have no idea who all the people are, but I’m sure Misha and the Aslanhovs know every single one of them.
I’m taken to a table where a man and woman are sitting. The man is the first to notice us and quickly rises to his feet.
Holy crap, he’s heartbreakingly attractive.
The man’s dressed in black combat clothes, the badass look making my abdomen clench. He has sharp cheekbones, a five o’clock shadow that’s been groomed to perfection, and light brown eyes. He gives the impression of wealth and sophistication, making me think he’s more comfortable in a tailored suit than a combat uniform. Not forgetting where I am, I know he’s just as dangerous as the other people attending St. Monarch’s.
Reluctantly, my eyes leave the attractive man to settle on the stunning woman who’s looking at me.
I feel the pressure in my chest lift, and as I stop in front of her, my lips curve into a smile. “Hi, Aurora.”
The most beautiful smile lights up her face right before she yanks me into a hug. “It’s so good to finally meet you. Misha’s told me so much about you it feels like I already know you.”
A chuckle escapes me as we pull apart. “I hope it was all good.” I send Misha a playful scowl. “Knowing my brother, he told you all the embarrassing stuff.”
“Not at all,” she assures me.
The attractive guy steps closer, and my eyes dart between him and Misha.
“This is Armani.”
My lips part, and I feel a zap of shock. During our calls, Misha always talks about Armani with great respect. They met through work, and after training together, Misha, Armani, and Alek have become an inseparable trio. The only thing I know about Armani De Santis is that he’s affiliated with the Italian mafia.
Because the head of the bratva, Viktor Vetrov, and the head of the Italian mafia, Luca Cotroni, are best friends, their soldiers sometimes work together to defeat a common enemy, so it’s not weird that Misha is friends with Armani.
I’m just about to extend my hand to Armani when his strong fingers grip hold of my shoulders. An intense wave of tingles spreads over my skin, and as he leans down, I almost forget how to breathe.
Armani kisses my left cheek, the woodsy scent of his cologne filling the air between us.
Jesus, he smells divine.
His mouth brushes against my right cheek, then his deep voice hits me square in the chest as he murmurs, “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Tiana.”
Nope. I’m pretty sure the pleasure is all mine.
I manage to smile through the nervousness he makes me feel. “Likewise.”
Armani pulls a chair out, then a devastating smile curves the corner of his mouth. “Please, sit.”
Oh wow. It’s not every day I cross paths with a gentleman.
“Thank you.” I take the offered seat, and once everyone’s comfortable around the table, I ask, “Where’s Alek and his parents?”