The Bratva’s Auctioned Bride (Levov Bratva #10)

Chapter 22 - Lara

As the city moved by me while the driver hauled me across the city, I couldn’t help but smile to myself.

For the first time since I married Alex, I was going out on my own like I used to, dressed in a cute outfit I meticulously picked out the night before, and I was meeting up with Gemma and her old coworker-turned-employee.

When she launched her own company, Gemma had hired Sky, and they became closer friends outside of work. She claimed that they were much closer than before, and she’d make a great addition to our girls' day.

I didn’t mind at all, since I was mostly just happy to get out of the house and see Gemma again after so long, and I had met Sky before. She seemed like a nice enough girl, and I knew it wouldn’t have any effect on the day for me.

Even if only a short time had gone by, a lot had changed since the last time I met up with her, and for some reason, it brought me the faintest hint of apprehension.

I was just anxious about her seeing me differently since I got with Alex. Before, I had a certain air about me that she surely got used to, and I didn’t want her to think I changed. In a way, being with him did change some of my perspectives, but I was still determined to be myself regardless of the situation. I just hoped it would come off the same as before.

Eventually, the vehicle pulled up to the mall, and I found those doubts slipping away the moment I found the two of them waiting outside their own vehicle. As soon as I could, I slipped out of the SUV and turned to them, smiling brightly.

Immediately, they both lit up, and Gemma pulled an exaggerated frown as if fighting back emotion before she immediately pulled me in for a hug. “Lara! It’s so nice to see you.”

“I’m so glad we could meet up,” I said with a big grin, feeling giddy as I embraced them both, finding comfort in being near them again. “Even if it hasn’t been that long, it still feels like forever.”

“I know!” she exclaimed, flashing a smile at me. “From the second everyone was looking for you, I just wanted to have you back again. But more than anything, we’re just glad you’re safe.”

With the faintest flicker of guilt moving through me at knowing just how worried they had all been for me, despite my not having much choice in the matter, I did my best to hide it. “I am, too. Fortunately, things are starting to feel a bit more normal again.”

Gemma nodded, linking her arm through mine as Sky did the same on the other side. “That’s right. Which is why we’re going to let loose and have some fun today. No stress or concerns. Only wandering and shopping.”

More than happy to hear it, I smiled for them and allowed the girls to lead the way. “I won’t complain about that.”

Sharing mutual excitement and relief, the three of us headed toward the building, entering the mall I used to frequent. A sense of contentment and nostalgia settled over me as we wandered around, deciding on which places we wanted to check out first. We made our way through the designer stores, browsing and chatting like we used to.

Immediately, a sense of normalcy surrounded me, and it felt far better than I ever could’ve imagined. With their help and our carefree wandering around from store to store, I felt more like myself again.

While getting closer to Alex and finding balance between us did a lot to help me, spending time with Gemma and Sky, regaining a sense of independence, was a whole other fix to that wound. It was just different, and I was beyond grateful for their company.

Eventually, we headed to the food court after deciding we needed a break, carrying a few shopping bags between us. We sat down with contented breaths, expressions warm.

“I think I’m going to grab some fro-yo. Do either of you want some?” Sky asked after a bit, already getting up.

“Yes, please, that sounds perfect,” Gemma said, sounding tempted by the idea.

When I gave my confirmation as well and we let her know what kinds we wanted, Sky nodded and headed off to grab it for us.

Gemma’s hand on mine immediately captured my attention, and I caught the relief and sincerity in her eyes as she looked at me. “Honestly, I can’t tell you how much I missed you and missed doing this, Lara. When I heard you didn’t come home after the gala, I was completely broken up by it. Everyone was.”

Letting out a gentle breath, knowing full well how difficult it had been for not just me but also the others, I nodded absently. “When it happened and I woke up at that auction, I was terrified. I just wanted to get back home more than anything, but I had no idea where I was. Before I knew it, I was being swept away again.”

Gemma gave me an empathetic nod of her head, giving my hand another faint squeeze before she carefully retracted it and sat back in her seat. “I’m so sorry that happened to you. I can’t even imagine what that must’ve been like.”

Doing my best to not let those old memories and feelings creep back in again, I tried to keep my expression as level as possible. “It seemed like hell…and then felt even more so when I found out that I’d be getting married the same weekend.”

Her face showed the slightest bit of irritation at the mention of it, but I knew it wasn’t directed at me. “I’ll be honest, I wanted nothing more than to give Alex a piece of my mind for all of that, and I know your brothers haven’t been taking it the best either. Especially not at first.”

More guilt simmered within me then, aware that to some degree, I did have a choice and hand in that respect. I accepted Alex, even though I was certain they all would’ve wanted me to pick otherwise. I could tell that Ari hoped I would go with them during that meeting, and as much as I wanted to initially, I just knew I couldn’t leave Alex like that. I was glad I hadn't.

“How are they doing now?” I asked her, aware that if I brought it up to them myself, I likely wouldn’t get an honest answer.

Gemma let go of a breath and shrugged. “For the most part, they’re hanging in there, but I can tell they’re torn about the arrangement. Especially Ari. But in all fairness, they’re at least happy with the open line of communication now.”

“I expected as much,” I murmured, able to picture for myself how they would be taking it.

“How are things going between you two, then?”

Glad that I had positive news on that front, I smiled. “Honestly, things are going well now. It seems unlikely, but we managed to find some common ground, and we’ve both taken strides to make it work for us. I didn’t want that at first, but I’ve seen a different side of him. The real him.”

Gemma mirrored my expression faintly, seemingly satisfied with my answer. “I’m glad to hear it. As long as you’re safe and genuinely happy, then I’m happy for you, too. I remember what it felt like the first little while when I went through everything with Ben. I was so angry and broken up over it, but when we had the chance to connect and understand each other better, everything changed.”

It was a relief to know that Gemma had first-hand experience with the same thing, and she understood what it was like. It made me feel a little less crazy. “Thank god you can relate.”

She laughed quietly at that. “I’m not sure if that’s sad or not, but at the very least, I’m doing alright, and you seem to be too. I guess that’s what matters.”

Nodding along and smiling, I couldn’t help but agree. “Since things are going better with Alex, now I just hope the tension between families will die down so that we can see each other more. As much as he wanted me to go out today, I could tell Alex was fighting the urge to keep me at home because of everything.”

Gemma’s expression turned more grave at the mention of it. “I know what you mean. Ben and Ari have been the same way. They’ve been tense lately, but let’s all hope that can be resolved sooner rather than later. I want more girls' days without having to beg for them.”

I smiled faintly at the slight reluctance in her tone at that, very aware of how annoying it was.

“I guess all we can do is have faith that this other family will leave them alone, and the Levovs and Novikovs can reach a proper alliance.”

She grinned at the idea, allowing herself to feel more confident about it. “That’s right. I’m sure they’ll find a way…they always do.”

When Sky eventually returned with our frozen yogurt, we put the family drama talk aside and dug in together. Doing something as simple and mundane as eating fro-yo made me feel like I was in heaven, and I savored every moment of it, especially since I got to spend it with them.

After being out with the girls for a few hours, we reluctantly parted ways after hugging and delaying for as long as we could before our respective drivers got too impatient, and as I sat in the back seat by myself, I felt refreshed by it all.

Even so, my mind drifted back to what Gemma and I had talked about as the city moved by once again.

It was obvious that things needed to die down between the three families, especially between my brothers and Alex. The sooner they could come to a mutual agreement, or at least return things to normal, the better it would be for everyone.

Regardless of what might happen, I wanted both Alex and my family. I wouldn’t settle for anything less.