Page 13 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

This was my last stop before I head to the club to have drinks with my brothers. I was going to go to the strip club after that, but now I have a problem I need to deal with.

This is the last place I expected to see Asher, especially at the high-stakes table. I never considered Asher to be the kind of person who enjoys gambling. I glance at the young girl standing behind her, a small distance away. She looks like a younger version of Asher, a more innocent version. I can only assume this is a relative.

I cross my arms and listen to Asher.

“My genius little sister used a fake ID to get into here.”

“Most young kids use fake IDs, Asher. Did she get caught?” I ask.

“Well, she got invited to play the high-stakes games, and they extended her a line of credit for half a million dollars. She got away from me, or I would never have let that happen.”

“You telling me she lost half a million on the high-stakes table?” I ask. “That’s pretty bad, Asher.”

“I know, and I’m super sorry. But please, can you sort it out for us? The guy over there said if we can’t pay it, my sister can pay it back in other ways. I can’t let her get hurt like that, Danil,” Asher pleads with me.

My blood turns to ice. I want to soothe her. I want to make her feel better about what’s happened. My instant reaction is to tell her it’s okay and I’ll sort it out. Which I find really strange; I wouldn’t do this for my baby brother.

It dawns on me that this is a perfect situation. I can win the bet and get closer to Asher, who has lived in my mind rent-free for the last year. This is perfect. If Kervyn could do it, why can’t I?

“I’ll sort this out, don’t worry. I’ll pay the half a million, but there’s a condition.” I smile at her.

Asher looks relieved but apprehensive. “What’s the condition?” she asks.

“You have to marry me,” I say calmly.

I relish the panicked look in her eyes as she comes to terms with what I’m proposing. She immediately starts stammering, “D-D-Danil, you love your bachelor lifestyle. You don’t need a wife. You don’t need to be tied down. You love being a free man, free to do whatever you like when you like. You don’t want to marry anyone, especially not someone as demanding as me.”

I shake my head. “You’re wrong. It’s time to start settling down. I’m in my forties. If you want me to make this go away, then you have to agree to marry me, Asher.”

If she only knew how much I hated my bachelor lifestyle. More so since I’ve met her—since I’ve met her, all I want is to be tied down, preferably by her. I want to bury myself deep inside of her. I want to taste every inch of her. Her confidence, her style, her straightforwardness, it’s all sexy as hell, and I’ve wanted nothing more since the day we picked her up with Penny when they were on the run.

She’s out of her element now as she keeps listing reasons that it isn’t a good idea, but that does nothing but make me lust after her more. It’s a side to her I haven’t seen, and I want to know everything about her. I bury my want and resume a cold outward appearance.

“Asher, marry me or deal with this yourself,” I say calmly. “And don’t think Penny can get you out of this. She has no business interfering in my affairs.”

Asher looks at me with a deadpan expression. She looks over at her sister, and I say with an air of finality, “It’s that, or I leave right now.” I take a step to pass her, but she places a hand on my arm. It’s warm where she touches. I bury that feeling, too, maintaining a cold exterior.

“Fine.” She crumbles before me. “Fine, I’ll marry you, but there are conditions.”

“I don’t see what conditions you could impose that I would agree to, but let’s hear them,” I say.

“You have to pretend we’ve been engaged for a while. I don’t want my sister to know you’re blackmailing me. She’ll feel terrible. Also, I’ll pay you back every cent, and you release me from this deal.”

That isn’t going to happen because once you marry in my Roman Catholic family, then divorce is not recognized. “I’ll agree to pretend we’ve been together a few months, engaged for one. But I doubt you could ever pay me back.”

“I’ll pay you back every last cent,” she growls. Then she takes a deep breath and puts on a smile. She loops her arm through mine and brings me to the table. I let go of her and slide my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me. Her sister watches us curiously.

“Jean-Luca, I believe my fiancé has wracked up some debt with you. It’s fine if you excuse it.” I give him a curt smile.

“Sir, it’s half a million…”

“Did I ask you how much it was, or did I tell you to excuse the debt,” I say stoically.

Jean-Luca backs down immediately, knowing he’s met his match. “Yes, sir. Ladies, your debt is excused; however, your line of credit has been cut off. Please exit the high-stakes section.”

Asher looks relieved, and I escort them out of the private section and out of the casino. We stand in the cold, where I pull out a cigar and light it. I look at them. “You shouldn’t bet when you don’t have money.”

“Thank you for helping us out, babes. I’m sure Piper has learned her lesson. Piper, this is my big surprise for you. This is Danil, my fiancée. I met him through Penny.

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