Page 4 of Arranged Bratva Virgin

We all know what Stefano is asking is perfectly normal in a business capacity, and I know that my brothers would never force me into something like that.

But even if they don’t force me, I know what I have to do for my family.

And for Chiara. With the way things are going right now, I think one of my brothers might pull out his gun and shoot Stefano just for suggesting this marriage. I would hate for Chiara to be upset over all of this.

I just want everyone to be happy.

I sigh a soft breath of regret, looking up directly at the selfish man who proposed this.

I wonder what he sees when he looks at me.

An object, a means to an end. An opportunity.

He doesn’t see me. Not a person. Not a girl who deserves to be loved.

I glance over his outwardly gorgeous appearance. To anyone who doesn’t know him, he is basically the hottest man alive. With his dark blonde hair and piercing amber eyes that look gold in certain light, and his thick, muscular body with broad shoulders that press up against the fabric of the custom suits he wears, he's undeniably sexy. He is smoking hot on the outside.

But because of who he is on the inside…I bite my bottom lip and a surge of anxiety washes over me, knowing that what I am about to say is going to change the course of my life.

I’m the silly girl who always believed she would marry for love.

A dreamer, I guess, living in a fairytale.

“I’ll do it.” The words leave my mouth with confidence and clarity which surprises me—I thought they would get stuck in the back of my throat and come out as a whisper.

Every single one of my brothers turns to stare at me in shock.

“It isn’t an unreasonable request, and we all know it's just for business and will benefit everyone here,” I continue, because they are clearly at a loss for words, their mouths hanging open and their eyes wide with shock.

Stefano’s eyes darken and he tilts his head to the side ever so slightly. He licks his lips like a hunter about to pounce on his prey.

A shiver runs down my spine at the intensity of his stare.

Paval is the first one to break the stunned silence amongst my brothers.

“It doesn’t matter about business, Darya, this is your life,” he says, heated and serious.

“I understand the world I was born into, Paval, the same way all of you do. And whatever I can do to help my family, I will do it. I will marry Stefano to secure the alliance publicly.”

Kiril’s glass shatters.

He mutters under his breath, “Fuck's sake.”

“Leave it, Tabatha will clean it up.” Paval gestures over the broken glass lying across the table.

Kiril pushes away from his seat and nods towards Stefano.

“You are serious about this?” he demands.

“Of course I am,” Stefano says, still looking at me.

I always thought the man I married would be gentle, kind, and softhearted. He would sweep me off my feet, and my life would be drenched in adoration, like those cheesy romance novels I love to read. I roll my eyes at myself and finally drag my eyes away from Stefano.

I guess at the age of twenty-two it is time for me to accept reality. To stop living in an illusion.

I've even saved myself for marriage.

I have never been with a man before because I've been waiting for the perfect one.

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