Forced to Marry the Russian (Nikolai Bratva Brides #2)

Chapter 20 - Zia

The driver brought the car to a stop when they arrived at Mikhail Nikolai’s mansion an hour later.

Zia’s heels clicked on the polished marble driveway of Mikhail’s mansion. Her breath caught as she tilted her head back to take in the grandeur of the sprawling estate.

A tall, white building towered above her. It was almost twice the size of Lev’s mansion. Bodyguards surrounded the property, each of them in black suits and holding guns. Their faces were void of any emotions, and they all looked like they wouldn’t hesitate to shoot anyone down if they trespassed.

One would think Zia would finally get used to being around the bodyguards after living with Lev for the past couple of weeks, but she hadn’t. They still scared her just as much as they would scare anyone else who wasn’t a part of the mafia.

“Are you ready to go inside?” Lev asked, holding his hand out to her. He looked dashing tonight as the moonlight streaked across his face.

She took his hand and nodded. “I was born ready.”

He let out a throaty laugh that made Zia’s heart squirm with delight. How could he not laugh often? She loved it.

“You should laugh more often,” she told him, looping her arms through his as he led her up the wide stone steps.

“Careful what you wish for, Mrs. Nikolai. You might fall in love with me if I do,” he joked, grinning from ear to ear.

She blushed because she knew he didn’t need to laugh to make her fall in love with him. She was in love with him already.

The white double doors, adorned with intricate carvings, swung open to reveal a foyer that took her breath away.

The floor was a mosaic of polished marble, reflecting the soft, golden light from an enormous chandelier that hung from the vaulted ceiling. Each piece of glass in the chandelier seemed to catch the light in a unique way, casting tiny rainbows that danced across the walls.

Zia's eyes widened as she stepped inside the foyer. She took in the sweeping staircase that spiraled up to the second floor, its banister an elegant curve of dark mahogany and brass.

The walls were adorned with tasteful, modern art pieces, each one perfectly lit by discreet, recessed lighting. Plush, cream-colored sofas and armchairs were arranged in intimate seating areas, complemented by sleek, glass-topped coffee tables. In the corner, a grand piano stood like a sentinel, its black surface gleaming.

This wasn’t a mansion like Lev’s home, their home, was. But Mikhail’s home was paradise. Richly and expensively decorated—either he or his wife had great taste.

The sound of footsteps descending the stairs caught her attention. A handsome man appeared at the top of the staircase. He looked just like Lev, and he had the same commanding presence that seemed to permeate every corner of his home.

He must be Mikhail.

She could easily tell. He had the same arrogant and domineering presence as her husband, but his aura was darker, making her even a bit uneasy even if she tried not to show it.

He started walking toward them once he reached the bottom stairs. To Zia’s surprise, he greeted them with a broad smile, his eyes twinkling with genuine warmth as he embraced his brother and then turned to Zia.

“Welcome, Zia,” Mikhail said to her. He had a smile on his face that did not quite meet his eyes. It looked like he was scrutinizing her, trying to decipher if he could trust her.

“I’m so glad you could join us.”

“Thank you,” Zia managed, still a bit overwhelmed by her surroundings but smiling back. “Your home is… incredible.”

Mikhail laughed lightly. “I’m glad you think so. I have my wife to thank for that.” He gestured toward the dining area, “Please, make yourselves at home. Mira will be down in a moment, and dinner will be ready shortly.”

As they followed Dimitri into the heart of the mansion, Zia continued to marvel at the details. The dining room was equally stunning, with a long, polished table set with fine China and crystal. Tall windows lined one wall, offering a breathtaking view of the gardens outside, where lanterns illuminated perfectly manicured hedges and a sparkling fountain.

Lev squeezed her hand gently, sensing her awe. She smiled at him, feeling a rush of gratitude for his presence, for the comfort he gave her with his touch. He pulled a chair for her and waited for her to sit before he settled on the seat next to her.

Two deep voices and one soft voice echoed somewhere around the house, followed by footsteps.

A beautiful woman with red hair and deep green eyes entered inside the dining room. Two men entered behind her, both looking just like Lev and Mikhail.

Zia knew at once that those were the youngest Nikolai brothers. They had the same dark hair and eyes, the same sharp jaw, tall frames, and a domineering presence. The Nikolai genes made really handsome men, she thought.

The woman’s eyes met Zia’s and she smiled broadly. “You must be Zia Kincaid,” she said, her voice soft and laced with excitement. “I mean, you’re a Nikolai now.”

Zia smiled back and nodded. “I am. You must be Mira Nikolai. It’s nice to meet you.”

Mira waved her off. “Enough with the formality, we’re family.” She walked to the table, pulled Zia up, and hugged her. “I’ve been dying to meet you.”

Zia bit her lips. She would be lying if she said she’d been dying to meet the rest of the family because she’d been dreading it. But Mira seemed so nice that she was so glad she finally met her.

Mira pulled back. “Oh my God. You’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”

Zia’s smile grew wider. “If I’m beautiful, then you’re the goddess of beauty. You look so stunning.”

“Tell me about it.” Mira heaved a sigh as if she’d been holding her breath for a long time. “There’s finally another woman in this family. Trust me, it was exhausting keeping this family together by myself.”

“I grew up with just my mother. I don’t know what it takes to hold a family together.”

“Well, you have one now, and you’ll have to learn or they’ll intimidate you.” She chuckled and turned to the two men behind her. “That is Adrian,” she said, pointing to one of them. It was hard to tell which was older. “And that is Ivan, the youngest brother.”

Zia waved at the men. “Hello, nice to meet you.”

Ivan held out a hand to shake her. She shook him, but he took her hand and kissed the back of it. “You’re beautiful. At least my older brother made a good choice.”

Adrian slapped the back of his brother’s head, forcing him to let go of her hand. “Don’t take anything this one does or says to mind. He’s an idiot.”

Zia chuckled. She’d grown up hearing people talk about how much they bickered with their siblings and all. She never knew what that felt like, but seeing the two brothers do that despite their age made her feel like she finally had the one thing she’d been craving all her life.

“I’m sure you’ve met my husband,” Mira said, cutting into her thoughts. “He might not look it, but he has the kindest heart. I promise.”

“I agree with you. He was very welcoming.”

Zia had expected him to be super grumpy and all, but he hadn’t. He was nice to her and asked her to feel at home. That was more than she’d hoped for and she was grateful.

“Surprising.” Mira beamed with a smile as she looked at her husband and gave him a thumbs up. She returned her focus to Zia. “I would introduce you to my twin daughters, but they’re asleep. I promise to do that next time we meet.”

“I would be excited to meet them next time.”

“They’ll be excited to meet their aunty. I must warn you, though, they can be a load of trouble when they like you.”

Zia grinned despite the burning at the back of her throat. She was an aunty. She had family members to meet and a sister-in-law. For the first time in her life, she was no longer completely alone. She was part of a family now.

Her eyes watered as she struggled to hold her happy tears back.

“Sit, let’s eat.” Mira gestured to Zia’s chair. “I’ll have them serve the food.”

Zia sat down while Mira left the dining room. A minute later, she returned with some of the maids, and they helped serve the food.

Zia settled for grilled chicken and spiced vegetables, taking a bite of the vegetables first before cutting from her chicken.

“So, Zia,” Mikhail started, pinning her with his gaze. “How do you feel about being married to Lev?”

Her eyes darted to Lev, who suddenly stopped eating and glared at his older brother.

“Feel free to talk. No one will hurt you here, and I’ll help you two get a divorce if you—”

“I’m not divorcing him,” Zia said quickly, her tone sharper than she’d expected it to sound. “I mean, I like being married to him.”

The table went silent.

“Are you in love with my brother?” Ivan asked, squinting at her.

Her gaze met Lev’s. He looked like he was anticipating the answer to that question like everyone else at the table, but she couldn’t answer. Not right here or right now.

“Read the room.” Adrian’s voice broke through the silence. “And mind your own business.”

Zia heaved a relieved sigh, grateful for the interruption. She brought her forkful of chicken to her mouth but gagged just as the smell wafted into her nose. A wave of nausea hit her.

She took a deep breath, hoping it would pass. The rich aroma of the meal in front of her that was once appetizing now turned her stomach. Her vision blurred slightly, and she felt a cold sweat prickling at her temples. She glanced at Lev, who was watching her as if sensing something was wrong.

She didn’t want to disturb him or cause a scene, but the nausea was becoming unbearable.

Excusing herself quietly, she pushed her chair back and stood up, the room tilting slightly as she did.

“Are you okay?” Mira asked.

“Where’s the restroom?”

“The hall to your left. Do you need something?”

Zia opened her mouth to speak, but another intense wave of nausea made her stop. She walked briskly, trying to keep her composure until she reached the doorway. Once out of sight, she broke into a run, her heels clicking frantically against the polished floors.

She barely made it to the bathroom, a luxurious space with gleaming fixtures and a large, ornate mirror. She stumbled to the sink, gripping the edges as another wave of nausea hit her. Leaning over, she vomited, her stomach heaving violently. Tears sprang to her eyes from the effort.

After a few moments, she turned on the faucet, rinsing her mouth and splashing cool water on her face. She took several deep breaths, willing herself to calm down. As she straightened up, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror—pale. She looked whiter than a ghost, and that was when it hit her. She’d been nauseous for a while and—fuck.

Was she pregnant?

She pulled her phone out from her purse and opened the app she used to track her menstrual cycle. She was fifteen days late. Her cycle was consistent, which meant there was a chance she was really pregnant.

Fear bled into her eyes as she glanced at herself in the mirror. She didn’t hate the idea of having a child, but it would change everything. She still had no idea how Lev really felt for her or if he really wanted a child.

A part of her wanted to be happy, but she couldn’t. Not when she wasn’t certain how being pregnant would change everything. What if he wasn’t ready? What if he didn’t love her back?

A soft knock on the door startled her. “Zia?” It was Lev’s voice, filled with concern.

“I’m okay,” she called out, her voice trembling slightly. She took one last look in the mirror, trying to compose herself before opening the door. Lev stood there, his brow furrowed with worry.

“What happened?” he asked, gently touching her arm.

“I just felt a bit sick,” she said, managing a weak smile. “I’ll be fine in a minute.”

He studied her face. “Do you want to leave?”

“No,” she replied, shaking her head. “I don’t want to ruin the evening. Let’s go back.”

“I don’t care about ruining dinner. You’re obviously not fine. We’re going home.” He took her hand. “We can have dinner another time.”

“Lev, I think I am pregnant.” Her heart raced as she broke the news to him. “I’m over two weeks late, and I’ve been feeling sick like this for a while now.”

His face went blank, and his eyes became cloudy. It was hard to tell if Lev was happy or upset in that moment.