Page 18 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

“Yes, sir.” He shuffles off, and I open the paper.

My maid, Claire Wesley, brings in a plate with my breakfast and leaves it in front of me. A few minutes later, she brings out a tray with piping hot coffee on it and leaves it near my breakfast plate.

“Thank you,” I say absentmindedly.

Once she’s gone, I set down the paper and begin to eat. I need to be well-fed if I’m going to do this today. I feel so energized. I’ve won the bet, and I’ve won Asher. She’s mine for keeps, and no one else will touch her but me. I’m going to enjoy touching her everywhere I can.

I shove bacon and egg into my mouth as my phone rings. I wipe my mouth on my napkin, chew, swallow, and answer. “Yes?”

“It’s Kervyn. I want to see you later. We have business to discuss.” I know it’s about Asher, but I also know there’s nothing he can do. An agreement is an agreement. Luka is probably whining to him, or Penny is. Probably both.

“I’ll come after Asher signs the legally binding contract. Is that fine?” I ask.

“Yes, of course. We’ll meet at Mama’s house so you can give her the good news yourself.” He hangs up and I set my phone down. I go back to my breakfast. Periodically, I check the time. It ticks by slowly, and I wonder what time Asher is going to come. I said the morning, and I meant early, but maybe she’s trying to delay this as long as she can. I push my empty breakfast plate aside and sip on my coffee.

I send her a text about being late and move to wait in my office.

She takes longer than I like, but she eventually arrives outside my house in her pink car. Usually, she would deal with my staff if she needed anything from me, but today, it’s my turn.

I hear Renat opening the door and instructing her where to go, and before long, there’s a knock on my office door.

“Come in,” I call.

She opens the door and walks in. She seems surprised. Maybe it’s because my tastes are simpler than Kervyn’s. Where he has an entire library, I have a desk, a chair, two armchairs, and a drinks station. Some artwork hangs on the wall; otherwise, the room is bare.

“Hello, Asher,” I say with a smug smile.

“Danil.” Her voice and body language are cold. She clearly doesn’t want to give me any satisfaction.

“I’m glad you decided to come. The contract is right here. It’s basically saying you agree to be my wife and bear me children and all the spiel that comes with it.” I push the contract across the table toward her.

I don’t want children, but our family rules are family rules.

“I don’t want children,” she says quietly as if reading my mind.

“I don’t either, so don’t worry. It’s just in there in case one of us changes our minds. I’m also held to it. If you want a child all of a sudden, I need to abide by your request.” I hold out my pen to her, and she hesitantly takes it.

“Don’t I get to read it?” she asks.

“Whether you read it or not, you must sign it, or our deal is off.” I smirk at her.

“Danil, we can still change this…” I can see she’s desperate, but I produce the certificate that arrived this morning. “The marriage certificate is already done and is backdated a month. You’ve been my wife for four weeks already.” I shrug. “Seemed easier.”

She looks shocked. “How?”

“You should know me by now, Asher. There’s little I can’t do in this city with the right person to ask.” I set the marriage certificate down and indicate the contract. “Sign it.”

“Fine, but I want a copy of it.” She signs on the line and then stands up. “Is that all?”

“No, we need to discuss the details. My brothers and I will be around this week to personally move your items either into storage or into my home, so you better choose what you’re keeping and what you’re not. For all intents and purposes, you are my wife…”

She stammers over me, “Do…Does that extend to the bedroom?” She looks defensive but scared.

I sigh. “I haven’t forced myself onto a woman yet, Asher. I’m not about to. I will, however, do my best to seduce you so you want to be with me, and I’ll be trying hard.” I smile and think about how much I’m going to enjoy doing that.

Asher stands straight and hugs her handbag. “So it’s done then.”

“You’re expected to attend parties and charity events with me. To look like you want to be married to me. Don’t embarrass me in public, and I won’t have a reason to be angry with you.” I say.

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