Page 29 of Bratva Prince

Dimitri once again insisted on accompanying her.Sofia reminded him once more that that his meeting with the important investor had already been arranged weeks in advance.She also told him it was important enough that he could not afford to cancel.

The morning arrived gray and cold.Sofia descended the front steps of the estate shortly after breakfast.A black sedan waited in the driveway.Several security vehicles sat nearby.The driver stood beside the car, ready and profession.

Everything appeared normal, then Sofia noticed Dimitri.He was standing near the front gate, wearing an impeccable dark grey suit, hands in his coat pockets.He was waiting for her.Her pulse did something strange.She chose to ignore it.

“What are you doing out here?”Sofia couldn’t help but ask.

Dimitri looked up.“Seeing my wife off.”

She glanced toward the car, then back at him.His expression remained unreadable.Something felt different, Sofia couldn’t quite identify what.The closer she got, the more obvious it became.

Dimitri looked tense, although it wasn’t obvious to anyone else, but she could tell from the slight rigidity in his shoulders, the sharpness in his gaze, and the way he kept scanning the property.

Concern.The realization surprised her.Before she could comment, Dimitri stepped forward, then stopped directly in front of her.For a moment neither spoke.The cold wind stirred between them.Sofia opened her mouth, then immediately forgot what she’d intended to say, because Dimitri reached for her.

He settled his hand against her jaw, his touch warm and possessive.The intense look in his eyes stole her breath, because she could almost see that all the control and restraint he was proud of, was gone.

“Dimitri...”Sofia ventured.

He kissed her urgently and hungrily.Sofia grabbed the front of his jacket automatically with equal passion.Her heart immediately forgot how to function.By the time he pulled back, she was breathing harder, and so was he.Neither seemed particularly happy about it.

Dimitri rested his forehead briefly against hers.

“Be careful.”The words came out rough.A command disguised as concern.

Sofia stared at him, momentarily speechless.Then she recovered enough to say, “I intend to.”

Dimitri looked unconvinced.Unfortunately for him, she wasn’t interested in being wrapped in bubble wrap and hidden in a vault, even if he occasionally acted like that might be a reasonable solution.Eventually she climbed into the waiting sedan.As the gates opened behind them, she glanced back.

Dimitri was still standing there, watching, and her heart was still racing from the kiss.

****

The Marino estate appearedexactly as Sofia remembered.Massive iron gates guarded the entrance, and armed men patrolled the grounds.The sprawling mansion sat at the center of the property.

Home, or the closest thing she’d ever had to one.As the car rolled up the driveway, Sofia felt a strange mixture of familiarity and distance.

She had spent her entire life here, yet returning now felt oddly different.Maybe because she no longer belonged entirely to the Marino family, or because part of her life now existed elsewhere.The thought surprised her.After texting Dimitri she had arrived, she exited the car.

Several guards stationed near the front entrance recognized her immediately.

“Miss Sofia.”

“Good to see you, Miss Sofia.”

Their greetings were respectful, even warm.Sofia offered small nods as she climbed the steps.Most of these men had watched her grow up.Some had taught her basic firearms safety when she was barely tall enough to hold a pistol properly.Others had quietly slipped her extra dessert when she was a child.

For the first time since arriving, some of the tension in her shoulders eased.A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

“There she is.”

Sofia turned to find her uncle Matteo approaching from the opposite hallway.Relief crossed his weathered face when he saw her.He pulled her into a brief hug before she could object.

“I’m glad you’re all right.”The genuine concern in his voice caught her off guard.

“I’m fine.”

He looked her over, as though searching for injuries.Satisfied, he finally stepped back.