Page 63 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

I start cleaning the makeup off my face before I go and wash up in the bathroom. I look at myself in the mirror there as well. Under the harsh bathroom light, my eyes are red and puffy from being so upset. What Danil ever saw in me is a mystery now. He always liked me; it’s obvious now. He always commented about me and to me, and he always watched me. He is right. I got into places otherwise out of my scope because I knew the Milov family.

Tears start running down my face again and I take a makeup wipe and clean my face, trying to stop the tears from running.

I get changed into my pajamas, but I haven’t got the energy to follow my usual routine, like putting cream on my body. Instead, I slide silently into our bed. It is our bed. I curl up with my back to his side for a few moments before my heart can’t take it. I turn and pull his pillow to me, snuggling against it. It smells just like him, and this is a smell I have always wanted to know. This is the smell of the man who loved to hold me every night even when I was a moody shit.

I wish I could take it back.

Chapter 23 - Danil

I have lost my mind. I can’t believe I let her get that close to me that she was able to betray me like that. Once I’m sure she’s gone to bed, I turn over in the guest room bed and try to fall asleep.

I toss and turn the whole night. I get up at five in the morning and shower in the guest bathroom. I get my clothes quietly from the room, and she doesn’t stir. I get dressed and go down to the dining room.

I sip on coffee while Claire prepares breakfast.

My thoughts are racing through my head, but I know what I need to do. It’s not going to be easy. In fact, it’s going to rip me to shreds, but it must be done. I can’t be that selfish, not now after this.

She doesn’t want to be here, not after everything I tried to do, and I can’t hold her to that.

“Danil, can we talk?” she asks from the door.

I look up at her coldly. “Actually, yes. I wanted to speak to you.”

She comes in and sits down. She’s about to speak when I hold a hand up. “Before you say anything, I want to say that you can go.”

She looks at me, surprised, and I lace my fingers together and lean on the table. “You clearly don’t want to be here, so I am going to give you what you want. I’m giving you a divorce.”

She shakes her head. “That’s not what I want.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll pay enough of a settlement that you can set yourself up again.” I sit back and cross my legs. “But I suggest you do it in another city. I doubt Kervyn is going to want you around after what you’ve done.”

She looks close to tears again, and I look away.

“Please, Danil. Give me another chance. I was an idiot,” she starts to beg. “Please give us another chance. It can work.”

I feel my heart shattering, but I keep my face cold as I turn to stare at her. “I don’t want to live with someone who doesn’t give a shit about me. Neither of us needs that.”

I stand up, now glaring down at her. The tears on her face break my heart all over.

“I’ll have Renat take you back to your old house. Isn’t that where your sister is?”

She stands up and grabs my arm as I walk past, but I rip it away from her. “Don’t. Touch. Me.”

She takes a step back and now the tears are flowing freely. “Please.”

“I’ll have your stuff moved back to your house. Don’t expect it to be me or my brothers. I’ll hire a company this time.” I walk out of the room, grab my car keys, and stand next to Renat. “Take her back to her house. Make sure she stays there.”

“Okay, boss,” he says quietly. “What are you going to do?”

“Luka is babysitting her sister. I’m going to check the casino for him. I need to keep myself busy, or I’ll go mad.”

I walk out the door and straight to my Land Rover. I get in and blast some heavy rock as I peel out of my parking and join the traffic. I just don’t want to think. But the thoughts keep haunting me. I can see Asher beneath me, begging for more. I picture sitting on the sofa and rubbing her feet after she’s been working all day. She loved that. How could I believe that was real?

There’s a small part of me, okay, maybe not so small, that wants to turn the car around and forgive her, but I can’t do that to myself. I will never love anyone as much as I love her. I won’t ever love again.

By the time I’ve pulled into the parking lot, I’m entirely worked up. I stride into the casino and look around for the manager. I find him walking around the slots floor, keeping an eye on the staff distributing drinks.

Nice touch, Luka.

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