Page 1 of Forced Bratva Bride

Chapter 1 - Maxim

Kiril and Paval are deep in conversation about our family business. I came around this morning to run through the latest shipment schedule with them, but now they're talking about possible interference by an underhanded insider and how to deal with it.

I pick up my phone, glancing at the time on the screen. I should get going, I have other things to do now.

“We have to do something more aggressive. This is getting out of hand, and we're losing money,” Kiril complains, pacing around the meeting room in the upstairs office of one of our warehouses.

Paval shakes his head. "The Napoli family is supposed to be one of our allies. If we go in too forcefully, we could stir up some serious shit, especially if we're wrong, and it isn’t them.”

“Then how do you propose we approach this?” Kiril asks.

I tilt my head at the mention of the Napoli family.

“What makes you think it's them? We have worked with Angelo Napoli for years, why would he go against us now?” I ask, not usually interested in this side of things but surprised to hear his name. Angelo has a reputation for being an even-tempered man. He generally stays under the radar, similar to me, and his dealings, despite being a mafia boss, are generally carried out peacefully.

“Angelo has always been a good ally, but that means nothing at the end of the day. People change, and that son-in-law of his, Stefano, is nothing but trouble. He needs to be knocked off his own pedestal,” Paval comments, glancing in my direction. “Besides, even the best of men will turn to the darker side of business if their family is in trouble.”

“Do you think their business is struggling? I mean, enough to lead him to turn underhanded?” Kiril asks.

I look from Paval to Kiril. This is their issue to deal with, not mine.

“Guys, I have a shipment schedule to manage. If you're happy with what I discussed with you this morning, then I'm going to head out and leave you guys to it.” I stand up, picking up my folder and my phone, ready to make a quick exit and get back to work.

“Maxim, actually, there's a reason you are still here,” Paval says, his eyes narrowing as he looks at me. “Please, sit down, this involves you.”

I clench my jaw, not liking the sound of that one bit. But I take my seat again, leaning back with my arms folded across my chest. I have a tight feeling beginning to form in the pit of my stomach.

I prefer to stay out of everything, other than handling the shipments. It lets me stay under the radar and out of trouble. I am good at what I do. I know my strengths, and I focus on those, letting my brothers handle the rest. It has worked out well for us for a long time, and I'm not too keen on that changing anytime soon.

Kiril takes a seat at the table. “You have a plan?” he asks Paval.

“I do.” He stares directly at me. “Maxim, I think it's time for you to be more involved in the smuggling side of things. More specifically with regard to the products and shipments we believe are being sabotaged.”

Beneath the table my leg bounces as tension rises throughout my body.

“Involved how?” I ask skeptically.

“I know you prefer to stay out of all of it, but we need you. Your reputation for staying out of trouble is the perfect cover for us here.”

“I hope you don’t expect me to stay out of trouble by getting directly into it?” I raise my brow.

Kiril eyes Paval thoughtfully. “What are you thinking?”

“I'm thinking that a marriage between our family and the Napolis, under the guise of reinforcing our strengths, will give us the chance to have someone on the inside who can take a proper look at what's going on there.”

“Marriage?” I echo, shocked, unfolding my arms and leaning forward.

“Angelo has a daughter who just finished university. She's—"

“Marriage is a bit extreme, don’t you think?” I ask, still trying to process everything.

“Maxim, we need you for this,” Paval says calmly.

“It’s a damn good idea,” Kiril nods. “That way, we have someone on the inside, and Paval's right—you're the last person they'd expect to be a spy.”

I clench my jaw, mulling over what they are asking of me.

The problem is that they have never put pressure on me to be more involved, and I have always appreciated that. What they are asking of me now is a pretty big thing, but how can I say no? After all, it is for my family.

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