Page 55 of Forced & Owned By the Bratva Boss

Not now.

He’s still asleep when I tilt my head to look at him.

Without his usual tailored suit, cold expression, and the intimidating presence he carries everywhere, Igor looks younger. Softer. Almost peaceful.

A strand of dark hair falls across his forehead, and I fight the ridiculous urge to brush it away. Instead, I lay silently still, memorizing his face—the strong line of his jaw, the faint stubble shadowing his cheeks, and the tiny scar near his eyebrow that I’ve never noticed until now.

A sleepy frown creases his forehead before his icy blue eyes open to meet mine. The corner of his mouth lifts. “Don’t tell me you’ve been staring at me.”

Heat crawls into my cheeks. “I wasn’t staring at you.”

“You were.”

“I was checking to see if you drool in your sleep.”

A quiet chuckle rumbles from his chest. “I don’t.”

“You sound awfully confident for someone who snores so much, Igor. Do you think you’re sleeping beauty or something?”

“I like the sound of being sleeping beauty.” He shifts closer until there’s barely any space left between us. “Guess who my prince charming is?”

“Oh?” I arch a brow. “Who?”

“My wife.”

I roll my eyes, but a reluctant smile tugs at my lips. “I think your wife would disagree.”

“Hm.” His thumb brushes lazily across my hip beneath the blanket. “She’s usually too busy staring at me.”

I huff out a laugh despite myself.

His expression softens as he watches me. “I have meetings all day,” he says quietly. “I probably won’t be back until late.”

A small knot forms in my stomach. “Oh.”

“I’ve doubled security around the estate. Call me or Sergei if there are any emergencies, and remember, don’t go out alone. It’s not safe.”

I saw how angry it made him when I drove to the club alone a couple nights ago, and I don’t intend to make him that angry again. “I’ll be on my best behavior today. I promise.”

“You’d better be.” He leans over and presses a lingering kiss to my forehead before climbing out of bed. “I’ll check in on you every chance I get.”

Hearing him say that makes the butterflies in my stomach spread their wings. For the first time, it feels like we’re just a normal couple in Miami with regular jobs and a regular life.

I know we’re not, but I’m relishing that idea while it lasts. “Alright, captain.”

I watch him disappear into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, he leaves the bedroom after another brief kiss, the scent of his cologne lingering long after the door clicks shut behind him.

Smiling to myself, I stretch beneath the blankets, wishing I could wake up to Igor beside me every morning.

My phone vibrates against the nightstand.

I barely glance at it at first, expecting it to be Chloe checking in on me. We haven’t spoken in a while and I miss my best friend, but I can’t exactly vent to her about the mess I’m in, so I’ve just stayed away.

Instead of her name, the screen flashes two words that make the smile on my face disappear.

Private Number.