Page 38 of Forced to Marry the Bratva

“Good,” I retort, my voice as cold as ice. “Because you’ll see just how capable she is on her own.”

The tension in the room thickens, suffocating me like a noose tightening around my neck. I grit my teeth as the pain from last night’s underground fight begins to make itself known beneath my business suit. My body aches, but I refuse to show any signs of weakness.

I try to loosen my tie. Just then, my phone beeps. I look at it. It’s Alexai calling—again. I put it on silent and place it face down, letting out a sigh.

“You alright?” Gerald asks out loud, drawing obvious attention to my discomfort with a small smile on his face as he takes in the cuts that peek through the makeup.

Genevieve’s eyes dart to me, her concern flickering like a candle in the darkness. She must’ve noticed the subtle wince I couldn’t suppress. Before I can formulate a response, she takes control of the situation, her voice steady and confident.

“See? I told you not to skip hydrating after that long bike ride this morning, dear,” Genevieve laughs. “And to think you got into that horrid accident!”

“What accident?” Boris asks, worried.

“I fell off my bike.”

“Oh dear,” Boris chuckles.

Russo narrows his eyes.

“Now, back to the diversification plans,” Genevieve draws Russo’s attention back from me. “What is it you were saying, Lev?”

Gerald scoffs dismissively, but I can see the doubt beginning to creep into his eyes. He knows he can’t break us apart, not when our connection has only grown stronger with each passing moment.

As the meeting progresses, Genevieve and I seamlessly navigate the challenges thrown our way, our partnership only growing stronger. We’re a force to be reckoned with, and nothing—not even her father’s disapproval—can stand in our way.

And as I watch Genevieve stand tall against the barrage of skepticism, I feel a surge of pride and desire course through me. She’s everything I could’ve ever wanted in a partner, both in business and in life, and I’m more determined than ever to protect her—no matter the cost.

Chapter 14 - Genevieve

After the meeting ends, most people around the table get up to acquaint themselves with me. I bask in the glow of their praises, trying to remain grounded while acknowledging them with humility. In this moment of complete and utter joy, I think of Gael. He’d be so proud of me, if he could see me now. Since we were kids, my brother always told me he thought I deserved a seat at the table and now, that’s just what I’m getting.

Damien and Lev stand in the periphery, silently supporting me with pride. Once most people are gone, my father comes up to me. “Can I talk to you in private?” he asks. He glowers at me in the same manner he always did when I upset him as a child. He holds his hands clenched in front of his waist and tilts his head back, glaring at me from the top of his nose. I say nothing, just nod.

He grips my arm from the top and pulls me out into the hallway. I pass Damien and Lev, and they watch us leave with stoic faces. The brightly lit hallway, seeped in white light, feels clinical and suffocating as my father stops me against the wall and leans in over me. My heart races in anticipation of what he’s about to say, but I force myself to keep a straight face. I can’t let him see how much his words affect me.

He’ll only think I’m weak.

“What the hell was that?” he asks me through gritted teeth, his voice low and menacing, filled with anger I’ve come to know all too well.

“Father, I was just trying to do what you asked of me,” I cover my tracks. “You requested that I go for meetings with Damien, didn’t you?”

“You wretched fool,” his lips quiver with rage. “Your job was to shadow him, not to involve yourself in his business. I don’t want you to ruin my plans by interfering with the Zolotovs and preventing them from making a mistake that could ruin my plans!”

“Plans?” I ask cautiously, curiosity piqued. What could my father have in store for the Zolotovs?

Gerald’s lips curl into a sneer. “Boris and his brothers are a stain on the Zolotov empire. They’re reckless and irresponsible, and their actions will be their undoing. They think they’re oh so mighty, given their last name, but they aren’t. They’re outcasts, trying to fit in where they don’t belong. We’ll use their weaknesses against them to bring them down.”

My nails dig into my palms as I clench my fists, fighting the urge to lash out at him. If this was his plan all along, to bring the Zolotovs down, then why did he make me one of them? Tears spring to my eyes, and I ask with mild defiance: “Why did you marry me off to Damien then?”

Confusion sweeps through me as I try to understand what my father is playing at.

His gaze pierces through me, seeing right into my soul. “You were married into the Zolotov family for a reason, Genevieve. To keep an eye on them, to gather information that we can use against them when the time comes.” His words hit me like a slap to the face, the realization that I’m nothing but a chess piece on the board for him.

“You listen to me now, Genevieve. Do not speak for your husband in these meetings. Do not stop him and his stupid, arrogant brothers from making a mistake. If they ask for an opinion, sabotage them. I don’t care about this sham of a marriage, but it has given us the perfect opportunity to humble those arrogant Zolotovs.”

I clench my fists even tighter in anger, my nails breaking the skin. How dare he speak ill of Damien and his family? A surge of protectiveness washes over me, but I suppress the emotion, knowing better than to reveal my true thoughts to my father. They’ve treated me with nothing but kindness since we married, and yet, I remain silent despite the burning anger inside me. I remind myself that I must play my part as the dutiful daughter for now before my father turns against me, too.

Instead, I nod, letting him believe I’m on his side. But deep down, I know I won’t be able to stand by and watch him destroy the family I married into.

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