Page 15 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

“You can’t do that,” Luka snarls. “Firstly, that’s cheating, and you can’t do that to Asher. She’s a friend.”

“She’s your friend,” I smirk. “And actually, she owes me a huge, huge favor, and this is how she is repaying it. Now we all agreed that it would be the next one to get married, which after tomorrow will be me. We also didn’t establish any rules.”

“You can have the money, but don’t ruin her life, Danil.” Luka looks upset, and I shake my head.

“She ruined her own life tonight. She needed my help, and she got it. This is the price I ask for it. Now, we all agreed when Papa died that we wouldn’t get involved in each other’s private dealings, so I expect you all to stay out of this.” The waitress brings my drink and I take a long sip.

“Congratulations are in order then. Well done on winning, Danil,” Arseny says as he raises his glass.

I have won, so I raise my glass in return. Luka will get over his butt hurt in a few days after Asher settles down to the idea of being married to me. My mother will be ecstatic that another one of us is getting married. She loves weddings, and she’s been nagging us all to get married since Kervyn’s wedding.

It’s a win-win situation.

Kervyn is giving me a strange look but isn’t saying anything. Without a doubt, he’ll want to talk to me about this in private. I need to ensure Asher signs that contract in the morning before he does that.

“Excuse me, I forgot to call someone about the news,” I say and get up. I go outside where it’s quieter. Our men are patrolling along the rooftops, always looking out for us and our safety.

I dial our lawyer, and when he answers, it sounds like he was asleep.

“Rick, glad you’re up,” I say. “I need a contract drawn up by tomorrow morning.”

He yawns over the phone and chuckles. “Don’t tell me you guys need another on-the-spot marriage contract.”

“That’s exactly what I need, and I need it to be airtight.” I smile. “Glad you read my mind.”

He is quiet for a moment and then sighs. “Kervyn’s was airtight. I’ll change the names. Can you text me her full name?”

“Sure. I’m sure I can get it out of my brother.” I light a cigarette. “Don’t be late now. I need it before she comes in the morning.”

“You’ll have it tonight still. I’ll work on it right now.”

Excellent. Everything is going according to plan.

Chapter 6 - Asher

This can’t be happening, and yet it is. As soon as the door is closed behind me, Piper starts bombarding me with questions about Danil, how he knew where to find me, and how come I never told her about my relationship with him.

That kiss has left me in a daze, and I’m not entirely myself as I look at her. I give myself a mental shake. My life is over. It’s ruined. I’m marrying a mobster and the worst kind. But right now, I need to deal with Piper.

“Let’s get changed and comfy, and we can have some hot chocolate and talk.” Thankfully, she agrees and I go to the bathroom. I feel hot and flustered from tasting Danil. He tastes of smoke and whiskey and something sharp. It’s a pleasant combination, and his tongue was rather… long. The thoughts of what it could do to me are not lost in my little mind, but I need to remind myself he’s dangerous.

Luka has told me stories about the brothers and what they’ve done, especially what Danil has done to people who cross him. I don’t normally talk to Danil unless he talks to me. I thought I was comfortable on the fringes of the mobster world, but now I’m being sucked right into the center of it.

If he goes to the club now, then Kervyn will know what’s happened and maybe put a stop to it. Otherwise, I’ll speak to Penny in the morning. Even if I sign that contract, Danil has to listen to whatever Kervyn says he has to do. He is the boss of the Las Vegas Bratva. You don’t cross that man even if you’re his brother.

I go to the kitchen and fill two mugs with milk before I put them in the microwave to heat up. Piper walks in shortly after me. She’s running her fingers through her hair.

“I’m not going to lie, Ash. I’m pretty upset you haven’t said a word about this Danil to me in the months you’ve apparently been together.”

“I know Piper. I wanted to find the right time to tell you. Danil is a very private man, and I’m surprised he’s even announcing it in the newspapers.” I take out the hot chocolate and sugar and a pack of mini marshmallows. “What do you want to know? I’ll try to answer the best I can.”

“Where did you meet?”

I sigh. “At a club called Afanasy.” It’s not entirely a lie. “His older brother owns it. I went there with Penny, and she got introduced to his older brother, and now they’re married, and Danil and I just… hit it off.” Now I’m lying and feel absolutely rotten for doing it to my sister.

I’m all she has; I would do anything for her—even this.

The sudden ‘ding’ of the microwave snaps me back to reality.

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