Page 4 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

She would be wise to agree to my demands rather than refute them. I need to play this carefully, though, because I do want her to have at least some feelings for me. Otherwise, that love will never grow. Not that I would love her back. I’m attracted to her, sure, but I don’t love people. I just think she would make a fine wife and someone I can sleep with for the rest of my life. I don’t want kids, so that’s not an issue.

I finish my breakfast and get up. It’s time to start work, and nothing stands in my way.

Chapter 2 - Asher

I stand in line at the coffee shop, waiting patiently. Today’s the big day, or one of many, at least. I am interviewing for a grand gallery downtown and cannot wait to see if they will hire me. First, a stop for coffee and then the interview and then we’ll see where the rest of the day takes me.

I step up when it’s my turn to order. “Two pumps caramel, two pumps chocolate, ice and coffee.”

I pay the bill and step aside to wait. There are a few women who are giving me the stink eye, and I give them broad smiles. I’m not fat, but I am large with many voluptuous curves, and women do not like how confident I am with my shape. I don’t care, though. This is who I am, and no one can take it away from me.

My coffee comes up, and I take it to walk out of the coffee shop and toward my new car. I got a convertible from Penny as a birthday gift. I’m not saying that I approve of her new mafia lifestyle, but it definitely comes with benefits. I have the top down as I drive through traffic easily, sipping on my coffee and singing along to my radio. I stop just before I’m about to park in case someone is watching me from the gallery. I don’t want them to know how crazy I am all at once.

I lock my car and set the alarm before I flick my hair over my shoulder and take big strides to the gallery. I’m confident, and I’m ready to kick ass. The sit-down interview is easy enough. They want to know about my experience with art, which is extensive, and they want to know about my past experiences with galleries. That is still somewhat fresh, but they don’t seem to mind because I won’t be curating on my own straight away.

Then we take a tour of the gallery and they give me more information on the kind of artists they like to house and the kind of events they want to accommodate. It’s very upmarket, and I’m confident when I tell them I can handle any type of event with grace and efficiency. She seems impressed and lets me know they’ll be in touch later in the week to let me know what the decision is. I thank her and leave again.

As I walk out, my cell phone rings, and I pull it out of my bag. I glance at the screen and smile, then answer it. “Hey, Penny.”

“Hey, Ash! What are you up to? Did you finish that interview yet?” she asks.

“Yeah, I just got done,” I say. “Want to meet for brunch to hear about it? I can come over.”

“That’s okay, I’ll meet you at Papa Zeek, that Mediterranean restaurant downtown. Mama Milov is here to babysit, so I have some time. See you in about twenty minutes?” she asks.

“Great. I’ll be there in ten ‘cause I’m already downtown, so I’ll get us a table,” I say.

She hangs up, and I jump into my car and drive to Papa Zeek’s. It’s a great restaurant, and we frequently eat here when Mama Milov babysits. It’s just our place. Once I’m parked, I walk in and up to the hostess.

“Hi, Ash. Table for two?” Leigh asks.

“Yes, please, outside area, please.” I follow her to our regular table and sit down. I take out my phone and scroll through it. Luka has posted some photos from last night’s party on Instagram, and it’s fun to see how he got steadily more drunk. I wonder if he went home with that girl. Probably, he is such a player.

I see a photo of Danil with the other girl. For some odd reason, that one makes me feel uncomfortable. Danil is also quite a player, so his brother has told me, but I don’t know. There’s something about him that just catches my eye.

I mean, he’s way too old for me and far too serious, but he’s good-looking, I’ll give him that. I look up as I hear Penny greeting Leigh. I smile, set my phone down, and stand up.

My best friend walks right into my arms, and we give each other a tight squeeze of a hug.

“Oh, it’s good to see you,” I say.

“Not that we didn’t party all of last night together.” She giggles as she sits down and picks up a menu.

“Why do you even look at the menu? You order the same thing every time,” I comment as I pick up the menu, too. To be honest, so do I. I don’t know why, but we both giggle as we set them down again. “Suppose it just has to be done,” I finally say.

The waitress comes over. She’s new, not someone we’ve dealt with before, and looks nervous.

“Hi, I’m Janet, and I’m your waitress,” she says. “What can I start you off with?”

“We’ll have two cappuccinos with cream, one spaghetti and one beef lasagna, and a garlic bread to share.” I smile at her. “Also, please bring two bottles of still water for the table. Small ones.”

She quickly jots everything down while I speak and then nods. She takes the menus and hurries off and I turn to Penny. “She seems sweet,” I say.

“I love it when they get new staff. They’re always so nervous and cute.” She takes out her cell phone and says, “I just want to let Kervyn know I’m out with you, and Mama Milov is babysitting because I forgot to tell him.”

“Did you see the photos from the birthday party?” I ask.

“Yes, I look horrible after too many drinks. I’m surprised I’m not hung over or sick,” she smiles at me. “Although we were nowhere near as drunk as the boys were,” she adds.

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