A Treacherous Killer-Dark Bratva Romance

ten

Nadia

On Sunday morning Mother insists on me accompanying her to a dress shop to be fitted for a gown for the charity auction dinner being held Friday night.

I go willingly, not wanting to arise her suspicions about my peculiar absence. Simon told her I had stayed over at Caine's after we had dinner at the Chateau, but she still questioned my whereabouts.

She had already hand picked me a long lacy cerulean colored dress that hugged my neck and showed little to no skin. It wasn't a flattering color or fit on me. It hid my subtle curves and sizable cleavage. I bite my tongue as the seamstress pins back the layers of ruffles on the skirt.

"The color suites you Nadia," Mother says, examining her own cobalt colored gown in the floor length mirror.

The seamstress's gaze meets mine in the mirror as she takes note of my frown. I turn away, not wanting her to think I didn't approve of her work.

"It's pretty," I comment quietly. Mother gives me an approving smile.

I can't help but recall the first time I ever attended the charity auction. It was the first time that I realized that what I felt for Alexei was real. Somewhere along the way it had turned from a little crush to something mind-numbingly real.

Seven Years Ago

I look at myself in the mirror and I no longer see the short gapped toothed child with long stringy hair that was used to cowering behind her parents. I see a girl who closely resembles a woman.

The charity auction was tonight and Simon and I were officially old enough to attend.  I had accompanied my mother to my first dress fitting earlier that week and had marveled at the complexity and beauty of the gown that was tailored to fit me. It was pastel pink with gold embellishments that sparkled when the light hit it. I felt like a true princess.

I strap on my short heels and meet my family downstairs. Mother and father give me an approving nod. Simon turns his nose up at my appearance. "What's that glittery stuff on your eyes?" He questions. I blush, my cheeks turning the same shade of pink to match my dress. Father nudges Simon in the shoulder, giving him a stern look.

The driver takes us to Zolotoy Lyuks Kholl (Golden Luxe Hall) and drops us off at the front entrance. Zolotoy Lyuks was exactly as I imagined it. The revolving doors took you into a dazzling room with high ceilings and crystal chandeliers. My heels clicked on the marble floor as mother and father were greeted by men and women I didn't recognize. Simon and I spot Caine and his father standing near the bar area. Caine has look of disdain on his face as usual, casually standing with his hands in the pockets of his slacks.

Caine had been serving in the Bratva for five years now, having been sworn in at the ripe age of thirteen. It was hard to think that Simon is the same age now that Caine was when he took his oath. He was a kid carrying the weight of a man.

My father had worked for Caine's father for years, even before Simon and I were born. The Mirsky's considered the Morozov's family. Caine was five years older than Simon and I, seventeen and the trained soldier that his father had made him into. I tired to ignore Simon when he talked about one day joining the Bratva. It seemed he didn't notice the hard set of Caine's shoulders or the detached look in his eyes. I didn't want my twin to turn into someone I no longer recognized.

Simon splits off with father and they go to join Caine and his father. Mother and I walk farther into the room. My breath stills when I catch the sight of Alexei walking with his father, Ivan towards the other men of the Bratva.