Page 17 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

Once I get to Zeek’s, Leigh shows me to our usual table, and I ask her to keep the tables around us as clear as possible. It shouldn’t be too hard; it is pretty early.

I wait for what feels like forever before Penny walks through the door and straight to me. I stand up, and she hugs me tightly. “Tell me everything.”

I explain to her how Piper has a fake ID, how we landed at the casino’s high-stakes section, and how she gambled away half a million. I tried to call her, Kervyn, and Luka, and finally, I ran into Danil, who offered to help me in exchange for marriage.

Penny bites her lip as I finish talking. “I already spoke to Kervyn, and he says there’s nothing we can do. Apparently, there’s this rule between them that the brothers don’t interfere in each other's private dealings, and I can’t interfere because Danil is the one who likes me the least. We already got off on the wrong foot, and he’s only recently begun to accept me.”

All hope is lost.

I shiver slightly as we’re brought more coffee.

“I’m going to have to marry him,” I say quietly.

Penny reaches across the table and holds my hand. “I’m so sorry, Ash. If I had my phone on me, I would have answered and sorted it out for you. I feel like this is my fault.”

“It’s not,” I say quickly. “I know you would have helped me. Circumstances just weren’t in my favor. I don’t even really blame Piper. She did something young and stupid.” I huff. “As though none of us have ever done that before.”

“It’s how I got pregnant.” Penny offers and sighs. “At the least, I can try to ensure that Danil doesn’t hurt you in any way.”

“I don’t think he would,” I say honestly. “For some reason, I just don’t feel like he would want me to be upset or hurt except for the whole marriage thing. I’m supposed to be there already to sign the contract. Do you know what I can expect from it?”

“I kept a copy of mine from Kervyn. It was basically that I agreed to marry him out of my own choosing. That I would bear him heirs to his family business and that we couldn’t get a divorce because I’m going to be Roman Catholic from now on. Then there was a bunch of bullshit in between. There are things in there for you, too, like he promises not to deny you anything you want within reason and that he won’t hurt you or your children. That he won’t cheat on you.”

I sigh and stir my coffee with the teaspoon they provided. I take a deep sip and then set it down. “I feel so blessed he won’t cheat on me. Argh, I can’t believe I have to do this. I don’t want to be married with children. Is this it? Is this what my life is about? Never mind that he’s a fucking mobster, for fuck’s sake.”

I pause and look at Penny mournfully. “Sorry, I know this is your life, and I have benefited from it. But I just didn’t see myself getting married to someone in the top ten most wanted by the cops section.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “I didn’t like it either at first. It took a lot for Kervyn to win me over, and I mean a lot. He put in all the effort to make me happy, to please me, and to pleasure me.” She blushes slightly, and I look away. “But now I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else. Does he do bad things? He doesn’t tell me about them, and I don’t ask. If he has business, he has business, but we’ve agreed there’s to be no business at home. Home is a sacred place for our family. I would ask for the same for you and Danil.”

I look into her eyes. “It’s really happening then.”

“I’m sorry, my friend,” she says. “If I could do something, I would, but my hands are tied. This world is different from our reality. There are rules that have to be followed, or I risk not only my life but Kervyn's and Sam’s lives as well.”

I nod. “I get it. I do. I’ll ask him not to bring business home. That’s at least something.”

My phone buzzes, and I check it. It’s from the art gallery, they want me to start as soon as possible.

“Well, that’s good news for sports fans. I got the job that I wanted.” I sigh. “I wonder if Danil will let me work. Would Kervyn let you work?”

“I am planning on starting my own business when Sam is a little older. We’re planning on having more kids, but I want to try to get it off the ground before we have our second. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s exciting. So yes, I think Danil will let you work. I think Kervyn knows I go stir crazy if I’m constantly cooped up in the house.”

“Let’s hope Danil is as reasonable as his brother,” I say.

“He may be a dangerous man, Asher, but Danil is mature. From what I’ve seen, he’s got his head screwed on right when it comes to the family, and he’s a very wise businessman. Out of the brothers, you could have done worse. Luka has no common sense, and you know that.” She smiles at me, and I nod.

“I do know that, but Luka I at least like. I..” I pause as my phone buzzes again. It’s Danil. Asking where I am.

I read the text aloud to Penny. “You’re late. Our deal is off if you don’t sign the contract today.”

“He is all business,” Penny says. “Go and get it done, and enjoy what little time you have left this weekend with Piper.”

I wipe away a stray tear and nod. “You’re right.” I get up and we hug. I don’t blame Penny anymore than I blame Piper. It is how the dice have fallen, but I swear I will make Danil pay for this.

Chapter 7 - Danil

I spring out of bed at six in the morning and go for a hot shower. It’s the first time in a long time I haven’t picked up a girl at the club when I needed one. I just jacked one off last night to the thought of Asher and went straight to bed. I can’t wait for the real thing.

I come down to breakfast and sit at the table. Renat comes in with the newspaper and hands it to me. “Thank you, Renat. I’m expecting Miss Lawson this morning. Please let the guards at the gate know.”

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