Page 64 of Conquered Bride (Belaya Bratva 1)

She pushed at my shoulder, but there was a smile on her face when I stepped back. “I will be back in a few hours,” I said as I walked to the door. “Feel free to stay naked until then.”

“We will see,” she called out. “Gavril.” I turned and found Naomi now biting that lower lip. “Be careful, all right?”

Her words wrapped around my fucking heart, and I forced myself to exit her room before I said something I wasn’t ready to give her or us. I didn’t know why I hesitated to tell her how I felt.

Maybe it was because there was still a measure of trust that needed to be earned.

Or the fucking fact that I was terrified of letting all the walls down again. The last time I had done so, it had nearly cost me everything.

I couldn’t take that chance again.

The car was waiting out front when I stepped out of the door, Ivan holding the door open. “I want you to stay here,” I told him as I straightened my jacket.

He didn’t even bat an eye at my request, motioning for one of the guards to take his place. “Yes, Pakhan.”

I gave him a satisfied nod and climbed inside. In the event that Naomi needed something, I wanted my own people, my loyal people, to be at her beck and call. Not with me.

She was far more important right now.