Page 29 of Daddy Brigadier

Then, for the second time tonight, our eyes lock briefly, as if he’s searching for me. It feels real, yet I wonder if I’m imagining it.

“You’re staring,” a woman says, her voice low and filled with warning.

The shock of her words startles me, and I barely manage to prevent champagne from splashing down my front as I turn to face her. Though she’s hidden behind her mask, her vibrant red hair and those dimples are impossible to miss.

“No, I wasn’t,” I retort, striving to sound composed.

“What are you doing here?” Ivy asks, leaning in closer. “Nikolai knows you’re the one who kidnapped the Brigadier, and he’s hunting you. It’s not the smartest choice to walk straight into the heart of the Bratva’s leadership.”

I give her a tight smile. “What does he know?”

“Not much. I can only cover for you so long before my husband finds out you’re the one who kidnapped Valentin.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. But it’s clear that her protection will soon waver, as her loyalty lies with the Bratva.

My eyes drift to Valentin one last time. Now, I find he is staring at me, fixated, almost as if reading my soul. His head is tilted slightly, as if he’s trying to figure out why I’m here.

My breath catches, feeling the weight of the moment, and I slowly turn my back to him.

“Ah, so you came to spy on the Brigadier?” Ivy teases playfully, her laughter infectious. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with the man you kidnapped!”

“Of course not!” I shoot back.

“He’s a Bratva boss, Lexi. Walk away now before you get your heart broken,” she warns. That’s rich coming from someone who married the Colonel, despite his promise to avoid marriage altogether. “He’s not the type of guy who’s going to become your boyfriend.”

Anyway, a relationship? Like that could ever happen!

What would it be like if he were with someone like me? Dangerous, probably. He’s the type of lover who would chew you up and spit you out without even a second thought.

The mere thought sends a chill through my veins. It’s nothing more than a dark fantasy, because the man on my mind is planning to kill me.

“You should get out of here before Elise sees you,” she cautions me, her eyes darting around as if she’s searching for her.

“I shouldn’t have come,” I admit, raising my glass to my lips. As I pretend to take a sip, I feel the warmth of his touch through the fabric of my dress, making my heart race.

“Who’s your friend, Ivy?” Valentin interjects, his presence forcing me to meet his gaze.

“I just met her. We were discussing designer dresses,” Ivy replies, sounding taken aback, her voice slightly broken.

“Is that so?” His eyes flicker over me, and his lips twitch into a nearly amused smile.

My heart immediately starts pounding, and I desperately try to keep it under control. It’s difficult to pretend that I’m not irresistibly drawn to the man in front of me.

He stares at me for a long moment, the silence stretching so thick it feels almost tangible. Then, he surprises me by holding his hand out. “Dance with me?”

My heart hammers in my chest. This isn’t part of the plan.

But before I can decline, he grabs my hand firmly, leaving no room for hesitation. His touch is strong, steady, and surprisingly warm as he pulls me toward the heart of the dance floor.

I glance back at Ivy, who is just standing there staring at me, wide-eyed.

After taking a few steps after him, I tug my hand free. “I really need to leave.”

His grip tightens, and suddenly, his hot breath is scorching my ear. “I thought we talked about this. Things work out better for you when you behave, Krasotka.”

The weight of the room’s gaze bears down on me, and as we stand in the center of the dance floor, I feel every pair of eyes fixed on us. Valentin’s hands move to my waist, drawing me in closer than necessary.

Being near him makes my skin tingle in a way I don’t want to think about. The air around us feels heavy. It’s as if I yearn to inhale his presence completely, to become so immersed in his scent that I lose track of myself entirely.