Plus-Size Bratva Bride (Vadim Bratva #9)

Chapter 11 - Pippa

I couldn't stop fidgeting with the hem of my skirt while Abe's sleek black car glided through the city streets. The leather seat felt too warm, too confining, as if it was trying to swallow me whole. My mind raced faster than the speedometer, grappling with the reality that I was about to move in with this man.

Move in!

"You're awfully quiet over there." Abe's deep voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. He looked over at me for a moment before returning to the road.

I forced a smile, hoping it didn't seem as strained as it felt. "Just… processing."

He nodded, his tattooed hands flexing on the steering wheel. "It's a big change, I know. But it's necessary."

Necessary. Right. Abe is only doing his duty to protect me. I tried to focus on that word, to remind myself that this was about safety, not… whatever had happened between us last night. The memory of our bodies naked, intertwined, sent a shiver down my spine that I desperately tried to suppress.

It was a one-night stand, nothing more. And now? I was moving in with the first and only man I’d ever slept with. It was as awkward a situation as could get.

What if, when we were together in his home, things got heated? What if I wasn’t able to see through his real intentions? What if he only wanted to hook up with me again?

I swallowed hard, watching the familiar buildings of my neighborhood blur past the window as I remembered how his eyes went dark when he thrust into me. He was so lost in me, and I in him, that the world had ceased to exist and nothing else mattered.

He had lost control and if he lost it while we lived together, I don’t know what would come of it. I shuddered and turned to put on some music to distract myself.

The what-ifs existed, alright, but they served no purpose. Yes, I did not want to be confined in the same place as Abrahim Ustinov. Yes, he needed me to live with him to protect me. Yes, last night was fun but only a one-night stand.

And everything else was conjecture. Anything else that could happen, would. And there was no point losing my mind over it.

This was about safety, I reminded myself. Just safety. Yet I couldn't help but wonder if we were both lying to ourselves about what this really meant.

***

I stepped into my apartment, the familiar scent of vanilla patchouli and old books hitting me like a bittersweet embrace. My eyes lingered on the countless memories scattered throughout the space—photos, trinkets, the worn-out armchair where I'd spent countless nights curled up with a good book.

"Just the essentials, Pippa," I muttered to myself, trying to shake off the melancholy.

My fingers traced the spine of my favorite novel, debating whether it qualified as essential. I tossed it into my bag anyway, along with a framed photo of my parents. Some things were too precious to leave behind.

As I packed, my gaze kept drifting to the window. Abe stood down below with his attention switching between my apartment and the surroundings, leaning against his sleek black car. Even from this distance, I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes never stopped moving.

I found myself pausing, watching him. He pulled out his phone, brow furrowing as he typed rapidly. A moment later, he was scanning the street again, blue-gray eyes sharp and alert.

"Get a grip, Pippa," I chided myself, forcing my attention back to packing. "He's just doing his job."

But as I zipped up my bag, that same traitorous thought wormed its way into my mind. Was it really just a job to him? The way he'd touched me, looked at me… it felt like more.

I shook my head, dispelling the dangerous notion. This was Abrahim Ustinov—notorious player, known for his charm and his brutality in equal measure. I couldn't afford to read too much into his actions.

Taking a deep breath, I cast one last look around my apartment. It felt like I was leaving more than just a space behind.

"It's temporary," I reminded myself firmly. "Just until this blows over."

With that, I squared my shoulders and headed for the door, trying to ignore the feeling that I was walking into something I wasn't prepared for.

***

I stepped out of my apartment building, the weight of my packed bag suddenly feeling much heavier than it should. Abe's eyes locked onto me immediately, his posture straightening as I approached. Without a word, he held out his hand for my bag, our fingers brushing as he took it. A jolt of electricity shot through me at the contact, and I quickly pulled my hand away.

"All set?" Abe asked, his voice low and rough.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The air between us felt thick with unspoken words and lingering tension from our earlier… encounter. Abe's piercing gaze roamed over me as if checking for any sign of distress.

"You okay, Pippa?" he prodded, a hint of concern creeping into his tone.

I forced a smile, aiming for nonchalance. "Just peachy. Nothing like an impromptu sleepover to spice up a girl's week, right?"

Abe's lips twitched, amusement briefly lightening his features. "That's one way to look at it. Come on, let's get you settled."

As we drove through the city, my mind raced with possibilities of what awaited me. I'd never been to Abe's home before, and my imagination conjured images of a stark, minimalist space—all sleek lines and cold surfaces, much like the man himself.

He looked like a lone wolf. All mysterious and dark. I expected his space to be the same.

"So, what's the house rules?" I asked, aiming for a light tone. "No shoes on the furniture? No touching the priceless art?"

Abe chuckled, the sound sending an unexpected warmth through me. "No rules, Pippa. Mi casa es su casa , as they say."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? I find that hard to believe. The great Abrahim Ustinov, letting some poor thing run wild in his domain?"

His grip tightened on the steering wheel, jaw clenching slightly. "You're not some 'poor thing,' Pippa. You're…" he trailed off, leaving me hanging on his unfinished thought.

I’m what? I wanted to ask, but I remained quiet. Something told me he himself didn’t have an answer to that quite as yet. And if he did, he wasn’t going to give it to me.

***

As we pulled up to Abe's house, my jaw dropped. This wasn't the austere fortress I'd imagined. Instead, a charming craftsman-style home stood before me, its warm brick exterior and inviting porch so different from what I’d conjured in my mind.

"This is… yours?" I stammered, unable to hide my surprise.

Abe's lips quirked into a smirk. "Disappointed it's not a vampire's lair?"

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips. "Just surprised, that's all."

As we stepped inside, the cozy interior enveloped me. Rich hardwood floors, plush area rugs, and walls adorned with what looked like family photos created an atmosphere that was decidedly… homey.

"Abe! You're finally home!" a cheerful voice called out, and I turned to see a tall man with shaggy light blonde hair and identical eyes as Abe striding toward us. It didn’t take me long to put two and two together.

A member of The Unholy Trinity. I suddenly found myself nervous in their domain.

"And you must be Pippa," he said, extending his hand. "I'm Ivan, Abrahim’s older brother. He called ahead and mentioned you’d be our guest for the unforeseeable future."

I shook his hand and tried not to let my nervousness show. "Nice to meet you, Ivan."

A petite blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman with a radiant smile and the most gorgeous square face appeared beside him. "I'm Adley, Ivan's wife. Welcome to our home, Pippa. And please, you’re welcome here for however long is needed."

Before I could respond, two more figures emerged from another door. The younger man bore a striking resemblance to Abe and Ivan, though his features were softer, less weathered by time and hardship.

"Vlad." He introduced himself with a nod. "And this is my wife, Emory."

Emory, a vibrant woman with the most beautiful, tanned skin, beamed at me. "We're so glad you’re safe, Pippa! Last night must have been harrowing.”

I blinked, caught off guard by their warmth. "I…I’m alright."

Abe cleared his throat, bringing the focus back to himself. "Let's get you settled in, shall we?"

As he ushered me toward the stairs, I couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity. All this time, Abrahim Ustinov has been living in a joint-family home?

Who would have thought?

I followed Abe up the stairs, thinking of what I had just witnessed. The family dynamic was so warm and loving, completely at odds with what I'd expected from the infamous Holy Trinity.

We reached the top of the stairs, encompassed with the heavy silence that had now settled between us. Each step echoed loudly in the hallway until at last, we reached a door at the end of the corridor.

“Your room,” he said, his voice sounding oddly strained. I could feel his eyes on me, intense and unwavering as he opened the door for me.

I hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of his gaze like a physical touch. The room was bathed in warm golden light filtering through the sheer curtains and was impeccably neat, with a large mahogany bed dominating the space and a cozy armchair by the window.

As we stood at the threshold, our proximity suddenly felt charged with an electric energy that made my heart race. I could practically hear the thudding of it in my ears as he cleared his throat and stepped aside, letting me pass.

I walked in and he followed, placing my bag on my bed.

“Thank you,” I said, turning to face him. “For… everything.”

“Anytime,” he nodded, giving me a small smile.

“So, you live with your family, huh?” I asked, trying to make any attempt at conversation. “That must be nice.”

“It is, until one of the kids has a tantrum,” he chuckled.

“The kids?” I asked, even more surprised at this new revelation.

Abe's smile softened at the mention of the kids. "Yeah, little terrors, but they're family. Keeps things interesting around here. Ivan and Adley have two little toddlers, and Vlad and Emory have the sweetest little baby boy." His expression turned wistful for a moment, a faraway look I couldn’t decipher that made me realize there was a side to Abe I hadn't seen before.

“That’s lovely, Abe,” I said, and watched his attention flicker back to the present.

"Well," he started, rubbing the back of his neck in an uncharacteristically nervous gesture. "I’ll leave you to settle in now. But would you like to join us for dinner tonight? The food's always good."

“Oh, Abe,” I protested, suddenly feeling strange. “I don’t want to intrude on your family time. I could just go out and grab a meal, or eat in my room.”

“Go out and eat a meal?” He raised his eyebrow incredulously. “I’m supposed to be protecting you, remember?”

I groaned playfully and pretended to look disappointed.

“Come on,” Abe encouraged me gently. “You’ve got to eat, and besides, it’ll help take your mind off things. Not to mention, we’re all pretty bored of listening to the same stories around the dinner table. I know that Adley and Emory would certainly be glad to have another woman for company.”

I pondered his invitation, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity tugging at me. The idea of sitting down to dinner with the infamous Unholy Trinity and their wives felt like stepping into a lion's den. But there was an underlying sense of safety in Abe's presence, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, I could let my guard down for a moment in this warm, familial setting and perhaps even have a good time.

"Alright," I relented with a soft smile, giving in to his persistent charm. "I'll have dinner with you all."

Abe smiled, a flicker of joy crossing his features. “Great, I’ll see you downstairs in an hour then.”

He turned to leave but paused at the doorway, looking back at me.

"You can explore or rest if you want. Just… don't wander into Ivan's man cave unless you want to be scarred for life," he teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare,” I chuckled and watched him till he closed the door behind him.

I walked over to the bed and flipped down on my back, staring up at the ceiling with a small smile on my face. Never, in a million years, had I expected this to be Abe Ustinov’s life away from work.

And tonight, I was dining with his family.