Page 45 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

“Thanks for showing up here,” I heard Vik say. “We would’ve all been wrung out by now if it wasn’t for you.”

I had words for him in my mind, but he was lucky I was preoccupied.

Trusting them to keep an eye on her, I was whisked away to oversee more changes that needed to be made. All the while, I silently prayed for everything to go well. For nothing to get out of hand.

When I came back alone, I overheard them talking to her still, relieved to see them getting along with her. She spoke to them like they were already familiar, and I was glad to see it. It made those two worlds seem like they were coming together seamlessly, and it helped me relax somewhat.

All three of them broke out in laughter at something Elias said, and I clapped a hand against his shoulder once I approached.

“I hate to interrupt your fun here, but there’s still work to be done.”

Elias sighed and hung his head. “Always the stickler for fun.”

“What happened to being my subordinate first, best friend second here?” I asked, cocking a brow at him.

He chuckled. “You’ve got it, boss.”

“That’s more like it.”

Grace’s small smile made something stir inside my chest, and as much as I wanted to act on it then and there, it wasn’t the place or time.

I turned my attention to Vik. “I need you to pass it down the line that things are going to get stricter around here. Apparently, what we implemented before wasn’t good enough. These people somehow know more than they should, and they’re getting cocky. I’m putting out the order now—if any of these Bruno men are seen again, shoot on sight.”

Grace’s reaction at that was the first sign of true uneasiness. She shivered, and her expression turned more serious. She was surely reminded of how cutthroat our life truly was.

We didn’t just make deals and alliances to pass money around. People involved in our world were killed every day, and while there were pretty finances involved, it always came at a cost.

Vik nodded. “I’ll send it down the pipeline.”

We continued to do what was necessary to sort out the aftermath of the break-in, and by the end of it, I turned to grace with a deep breath. “Alright, we’re done here.”

“Wait,” she said to my surprise as we were close to the main door. She looked almost sad at the thought of going home already. “I know I’m not technically helping yet, but I want to see more of the businesses. Vik was telling me about the whiskey line and Isidor’s casino. It sounds so interesting.”

I looked at her in disbelief, caught off-guard all over again.

Before, I didn’t think she wanted anything to do with our lifestyle. I assumed she would rather study than look into what was happening behind the scenes.

While it was my first instinct to say no and take her home, there was something so genuine about her interest. I felt like I couldn’t deny her, not when she made me feel so seen and validated.

“Alright, then,” I began, holding the door open for her. “We’ll go check out the clubs.”

Grace flashed me a smile and went outside, making me realize just how lucky I was to have scored a woman like her.

Chapter 17 - Grace

The club was even more impressive than I ever could’ve imagined.

I had never been in a place even remotely similar, and just stepping inside made me feel like one of the most important people in New York. Albeit, underdressed, too.

From chandeliers and ornate decor to the pristine bar that seemed to glow under the lights, everything looked so perfectly deliberate. Not even the finest detail had gone unnoticed.

“Who owns this one?” I asked Yaro over the music, following him away from the main floor and over to where it seemed quiet. Some doors were for employee access only, and I imagined some of their business went down back there, away from the noise.

Yaro walked with his gloved hands in his pockets. He towered me as we walked side-by-side. “This is a joint one between the family. While my cousins have their own respective clubs or other ventures, some are under the family name, and we’re all shareholders. This is one of the most popular spots.”

“I can see why,” I said, marveling at it all. Between the lavish décor and the energy of the place, it was amazing. “It’s incredible.”

It almost reminded me of the parties I thought I would’ve attended while at school, but perhaps a little on the dingier side.

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