Page 8 of The Bratva's Forced Bride

I walk out of the building and toward the car where Jason is sitting. He quickly gets up. “Quite a catch, hey, Mr. Milov?”

“I’ll let you know before the end of today what I decide, Jason, but it is nice. Everything inside obviously comes with it, right?”

“Correct, sir,” he says, taking the keys from Renat.

“And you didn’t see anyone enter or exit this building other than the two of us?” I ask curiously.

Jason looks a bit nervous but quickly shakes his head. “Absolutely no one, sir.”

“Thanks, Jason, you’re a good man.” I pat his shoulder and then give it a squeeze. “You’ll get a nice commission on this one, I assure you.”

“Thanks, sir,” he stammers.

I walk to my own car, and Renat opens the door for me. I climb in and get settled.

“Straight to Pakhan’s house, please. Renat texts his guards to let them know we’re on our way.” I sit back and watch the landscape pass again.

I’m almost in a daze, my mind drifting off to nothing and then to an image of Asher. As I said, she’s living rent-free in my brain. I can’t seem to think about anything or anyone else. This is a problem. It’s not like I need to get laid. I mean, I don’t remember much from the sex last night, but it can’t have been that bad.

We pull into the more suburban area where we all live and I snap out of my daze. I have business to discuss. I can’t be thinking about some chick my brother’s wife is friends with.

We pull up to his house, and Renat lets me out. I walk into the house and straight to Kervyn’s office. His new guard, Josef, opens the door for me and announces I’m here.

“Let him in,” Kervyn says from inside.

I walk in and nod. “Hello, brother.”

“How is Harry?” he asks. My brother knows everything all the time, no matter where it takes place.

“His hand is a little sore, unfortunate curse of a thief. But it’ll heal, and I’m sure he’s learned his lesson. If he hasn’t, well, a better one can be taught.” I sit down opposite Kervyn, and a maid hurries in with coffee for both of us.

“Thank you,” Kervyn says. “You can leave it on the table.”

“Yes, sir,” she says meekly before hurrying off.

“She’s a looker. Sure you’re content with just your wife?” I chuckle.

Kervyn smirks. “Penny is more than a handful and not someone I would like to cross in this lifetime. She’s certainly found her footing in the family.”

“Agreed.” I take my coffee and sip on it. “The auctioned casino is perfect for a new operation. It needs some new flooring and a lick of paint, but otherwise, we have machines and everything inside. We’ll need loyal staff who don’t skim off the top.”

“That is so hard to come by,” he comments as he sips his own coffee. “Is it worth the money, though?”

“It’ll pay itself back. It’s a prime spot, and the front is perfect for the area.” I set my coffee down. “Maybe we can rope Luka into managing it. The boy needs more than cars to play with these days.”

“Are you scared he’s going to get married before you if he has too much free reign?” Kervyn asks me, looking at me curiously.

“The bet? That’s what you wanted to discuss with me?” I snort. “Come on, Kerv, we bet about things all the time.”

“Never about marriage. You know Mama won’t let you get divorced if you get married.” He sets his coffee down and crosses his legs, looking at me sternly. “You know it’s not allowed in our faith.”

“Is gambling, stealing, kidnapping, and killing allowed in our faith?” I pause. “But, yes, I get what you mean. Whoever I marry, I’ll stay married to, I assure you.”

I think about Asher. About marrying her. She would be perfect for the role: her confidence and good looks. I’ve always loved a curvy girl.

“If I have to lie, steal, bribe, and cheat, I will get married before those two even find someone they can consider marrying,” I explain. “And you know that.”

“I know. I’m just wondering why you took the bait for this. Arseny won’t get married; he’s always in his little dungeon, and Luka is too much of a player to get married. You, on the other hand, you love your bachelor lifestyle. You’ve never complained about it. Fuck, you own more strip clubs and employ more strippers than playboy mansion does. Your entire world revolves around sex, how much money it can make you, and how much pleasure it can give you. Now, you’re going to tie yourself to one woman. What are you going to get? A dumb woman who doesn’t know any better? An airhead?” He settles back. “It’s just not a move I expected from you, little brother.”

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