Page 6 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

We finish eating our meal and I wipe my face. “I’ve got this one.” I look at her sternly. “And I mean it. No double-crossing me. You paid the last two times.”

Penny holds up her hands in defeat and I smile as Janet brings the bill. I tip her generously, and we settle to finish our second cup of coffee while she processes the bill.

“What are you going to do with Piper while she’s here?” Penny asks.

“Take her to some shows, take her around the city, probably take her shopping. You know, the usual stuff. She’s too young to go clubbing, so that’ll be a quiet week for me.”

“I’d offer to let her come to Kervyn’s club, but he can’t be seen letting minors in,” Penny sighs. “Although it would be cool if we could.”

“It’s okay. I don’t like the idea of Piper getting drunk around a bunch of Vegas boys anyway.” I finish my last sip as Janet brings the completed bill back.

“Thank you for my tip. I hope you’ll come sit in my section again soon.” She curtsies slightly, and it’s cute.

Penny pipes up, “We’re here every other day, so if you’re on duty, ask Leigh to seat us in your section.”

She nods and hurries off to speak to Leigh, I assume.

I wait for Penny to finish her drink when her phone starts ringing. “One sec.” She answers, “Hello.”

I don’t pay attention after that. I’ve learned not to pay attention to matters of the Milov family, and it’s most likely Kervyn who is speaking to her right now. The less I know, the better. That’s my take, and that’s what I’m living by.

As people, they are loyal as fuck, and I’d hate for anyone to start with me in front of any of them. Or start anything with Penny for that fact. They are also very dangerous, and I’ve learned that the hard way. I’ve been stopped many times by the police and booked for questioning about a murder or an attack or illegal something or other with the Milovs, but I know nothing, and that’s what I live by.

The police do get very frustrated with me, and it’s pretty funny. I won’t lie, it makes me feel like I’m on a bit of a power trip.

Penny hangs up, and we both stand. “If you want to, come around tomorrow, and we can take a swim in the new pool. It’s indoor, it’s heated, and it’s relaxing.”

“Spoiled,” I tease her.

“I am a Queen.” Her favorite retort and one neither of us deny.

I give her a big hug once we’re outside the building, and we go our separate ways to our cars. I glance at the time; it’s too early to go home, and I’ve eaten now, so I want to do something fun. I sit in my car and text Luka to ask him what he’s up to.

He’s become my best friend, and I could never feel anything other than friendship for him. He’s like a brother to me. He feels the same way about me. We just get along like crazy, though many people think we’re dating. I know we nearly did initially, but now it seems too weird to think about.

He immediately answers that some drag races are happening out in the desert, and I ask him to send a driver to fetch me from my house. I’ll be home in fifteen minutes.

He agrees, and I start my car. It’s become a habit now to check if I’m being followed by cops, and it’s better that his driver fetches me because they know how to lose a tail way better than I ever will. I change into more comfortable clothes, and by the time I’m done, the driver is outside.

I’m super excited and hurry outside to get in the car.

Chapter 3 - Danil

Once I’m done with my usual stop for coffee with my mother, I take a break and head further out of town, just a little, to an abandoned casino.

I’ve had my eye on this casino for some time, and it took a lot of shady transactions to get them to close it down and put it up for auction.

I need a new casino to launder money from, as I can’t always use a strip joint. We have to get creative in these times. I sit in the car, and as we drive through downtown, I swear I see Penny’s Jeep parked outside a restaurant. I can’t remember if that’s the one she always goes to with Asher, but I wish I could stop and check now.

Asher.

Putting her back in my mind, living rent-free, is just distracting me. I’ve always wanted things, but I’ve never wanted to own someone as badly as I desire her. It isn’t love; it’s the pure love of the competitiveness driven by my need to beat my brothers in every bet they make against me. I rebel against the thought that they think I can’t keep up with them.

There are so many casinos in Vegas that it’s hard to make one go belly up, but when you pull the owners into gambling large sums of money, they lose everything. I’m sure they just moved on to bigger, better things. I don’t really care if you ask me.

There are flashing lights behind us, and my driver pulls over. Renat takes out his gun license, and I take out mine. I’ve been through this so many times.

I roll down my window. “Afternoon, officers.”

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