Page 35 of Forced to Marry the Bratva

Lev looks nervous as he takes a right. “Nothing, Brother.”

“It’s not nothing written on your face, Brother,” I spit back.

I watch a flash of anger pass through Lev’s usually uninterested facial expressions. He frowns, shakes his head, and decides he’s had enough.

“I don’t think you understand how badly last night could have ended, Damien,” Lev tells me. “To you, it might have been just another night in the ring. For the rest of us, we thought we could have lost you.”

“I’m fine, aren’t I?”

“Are you?” Lev laughs sarcastically. “Were you fine when Anoushka and I were chased by the cops? Were you fine when Genevieve spent all night dressing your wounds? Were you fine when you couldn’t put on the clothes I brought you this morning without wincing in absolute fucking pain? Which part of any of this sounds fine to you?” Lev bangs the steering wheel.

“Damien,” Genevieve interjects softly, her hand reaching out tentatively to touch my arm. “We’re just concerned about you.”

I meet her gaze, the worry in her eyes tugging at something deep inside me. For a moment, the hardness that often shields my emotions wavers, and I don’t like one bit of it. It makes me feel weak.

“I don’t need your concern,” I mutter gruffly, pulling away slightly.

Genevieve’s hand falls back to her lap, and I see her jaw tighten in response. Lev clears his throat awkwardly, breaking the heavy silence that has settled in the car.

“Look,” Lev says, kindly now. “No one knows you’re still fighting. Today, you’re going to walk into a meeting in so much pain. You’re a fool to think no one would notice. You’ve got cuts and bruises all over your face. People might not ask about it today, but Boris would become curious. And knowing Boris, it’s better that you come clean yourself than for him to put guys on your track and discover your little secret. You know what Boris is like, once someone breaks his trust…”

I sit back in my seat, Lev’s words ringing in my ears. He’s right, as much as I hate to admit it. Boris is a shrewd man, and he doesn’t like surprises—especially ones that could jeopardize his business or the lives of his family. He’d be pissed to know I put mine on the line. Reluctantly, I nod, acknowledging Lev’s point.

“Fine,” I concede, “But I’ll tell Boris when the time is right. Until then, keep this to yourselves.”

Genevieve’s green eyes flicker with pride as she watches me. She reaches out again in a gesture of support, and this time, I don’t pull away. Her touch is like a balm on my rough edges, and for a fleeting moment, I find solace in her gentle presence.

“I knew you still had some wisdom left in that brain of yours. For a while, though, I thought it got knocked out from all the beating your head took last night,” Lev grins from the front, now visibly happier with my decision.

“I’ll knock the daylights out of you,” I snap back. Lev and Genevieve laugh.

“So what’s the plan?” Lev asks as we turn the corner toward my apartment building. “How do you plan to make it through the meeting today? That is, if you can make it…” his voice trails off as he thinks of my injuries.

“Don’t worry,” I say. “We’ll make it.”

“We?” Lev asks, confused.

I turn and look at Genevieve, her hand still in mine. “Genevieve is going to come and cover for me when I’m in too much pain. She’s smart and can hold her ground, and I’ll tell everyone I want her to be a part of our work since she’s bright.”

“That makes sense,” Lev nods, his energy infectious as he looks back at Genevieve. “I heard you in that last meeting, and girl, you were on fire,” he sings.

“Thanks, Lev,” Genevieve blushes. “Now all we have to do is get Damien up and ready.” She turns to me. “You are going to eat well, take some painkillers, and then I’m going to try to cover as many of your facial bruises as I can with makeup. The rest is up to chance.”

“Ooooh,” Lev laughs from the front. “You’re going to look pretty! But that eye of yours… ugh,” he grunts and shakes his head.

If I could have reached down, I would have pulled off my shoe and chucked it at him.

***

We arrive home and I thank Lev for the pick-up and drop-off. He helps me up to my apartment, tells me he’ll see me at the meeting, and leaves.

Relief washes over me as I find myself back home. I watch as Genevieve takes charge, her assertiveness both surprising and alluring. She disappears into the kitchen, reappearing moments later with an ice pack in one hand and sandwiches in the other.

“First, eat,” she says, gesturing for me to sit down. I comply, feeling vulnerable under her caring gaze. I begin to eat when my phone rings. I check and see it’s Alexai. I decide to call him later, considering I don’t want to deal with him until I’m wholly back in my element.

Once I’m finished, she begins to work on my face.

“Thank you,” I murmur as she gently presses the ice pack to my bruised face, the cold relief instantly soothing my battered skin.

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