Page 14 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

“Your fiancé?” the younger girl asks.

I hold my hand out. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Piper. My car isn’t far away. Let me finish my smoke, and I’ll take you both home.”

I give Asher a look so she knows she’s got no option. Piper stands close to Asher. “You didn’t even tell me you were dating anyone.”

“Like I said, it was a surprise for you. I wanted you to meet him in person. I don’t like discussing my relationship over the phone.” Asher looks at me.

I nod. “I’m also quite a private person. Unfortunately, my family is not, so they’ll probably announce the engagement soon in the papers.” I return Asher’s look and smile. “But there is no price you can place on happiness, right love?”

She nods, trying to maintain her smile.

I kill the cigar and toss it. “Come on, let’s get you ladies home.”

Asher links arms with Piper, so there’s no chance of me touching her. It’s a clever tactic but not one she can hide behind forever, especially if she wants to sell this to her little sister.

We reach my car, and I open the front door for Asher. “You first.”

She slides into the seat, and I shut the door before I open the back door for a skeptical-looking Piper.

Once they’re both in, I slide into the driver's side and pull into traffic. I rest my hand on Asher’s leg and can feel her shiver from my touch. That shiver does things to me, things I cannot explain.

I’ve been to Asher’s house a handful of times with Kervyn, so I know where it is; otherwise, this might be harder to pull off in front of her sister.

There’s a silence in the car at first, but eventually, Piper cracks as we near the house. “Thank you for getting us out of that situation. Asher, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, Piper. We’ll talk about it at home.” I can feel her look at me as I squeeze her leg. I pull up to her driveway and look at her. “Message me where your car is parked. I’ll have the guys bring it around for you.”

“That isn’t necessary, I can Uber.” Asher undoes her seatbelt and climbs out. I get out as well and walk around to her side of the car making a point of taking her hand in mine. Her hands are warm, and mine are like ice. We live in opposite worlds, and we are not the same people.

We pause at the door and stand there awkwardly for a moment before Asher opens it. Piper steps through the doorway and into the house but lingers, still in sight of where we are. Asher looks up at me. “Thank you, babe.”

“You are welcome, love,” I murmur before I slide a hand to the back of her head, interlacing my fingers in her hair. I tilt her head up and kiss her passionately. It’s what I’ve wanted to do for months, ever since she came to Kervyn’s house with Penny.

I slide my tongue over hers and breathe heavily as I use my other hand to bring her close to my body. She rests her hands on my chest but doesn’t pull away. Pretending or not, she returns the kiss just as passionately and ferociously.

We stop kissing, but our lips stay an inch within each other. I open my eyes and look down into hers. She looks drunk on that kiss, exactly how I want her, as I whisper, “Come in tomorrow morning to sign the marriage contract, or I'll tell Jean-Luca where you stay.”

I let her go and feel the coldness between us as I leave. I’ve probably left her confused, but that doesn’t sound like a ‘me’ problem. It’s definitely a ‘her’ problem.

Smug, that’s what I feel. I feel smug because not only have I ensured Asher will be mine, but I have beaten my brothers at their pitiful little bet. Luka really does need better things to do with his time.

Luka.

He’s going to be pissed that I did this to his best friend. I glance at the time. We’re meeting for drinks now anyway. I can break the news to them.

I get in my car and glance at the front door, but it’s closed. She must have gone in the moment I turned my back. No worries, I’ll be seeing her in the morning.

I drive to the club and let the valet take my car. I walk inside and straight to the VIP section, where I see my three brothers are sitting.

“Where’s Penny tonight?” I ask as I sit beside Kervyn with a smug smile planted on my face.

“At home with Samuel, he isn’t feeling so well. Why do you look so pleased with yourself then?” he asks.

“Because I won the bet,” I declare, and all three of them look at me.

“How?” Arseny asks. “It hasn’t been that long at all. What did you do, order a bride?”

“One better. I trapped Asher into marrying me. Thank you. You can transfer the money to my account.” I sit back and wave down a waitress. “Whiskey, neat. The good stuff under the bar.”

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