Page 6 of The Bratva King's Claimed Bride

I see the van pulling in.

Matvey is here with the girl.

I step away from the window and leave my office to enter the sitting room next door. I go over to the drinks cart and pour a shot of whiskey. I down the drink and turn as Matvey comes in carrying the woman over his shoulder. He lays her down on the sofa and joins me at the drink car.

I stare at her. Her natural beauty. She is curvy and luscious, and I can only imagine how beautiful she must be when she’s awake. I turn to Matvey.

“You didn’t hurt her, did you?” I ask quietly, not wanting to wake her.

“No, she struggled a little, but I overpowered her easily enough.” He pours himself some bourbon and crosses over to the window to look out onto the drive. “I’m surprised the Milovs didn’t notice and follow me. That was my biggest worry.”

I pour another shot of whiskey and move to stand next to him. “I was going to use her as ransom, but I think I have bigger ideas for her. Did you really need to drug her?”

“She struggled, I told you.” Matvey shrugs. “It was easier that way than having her cry out to her brothers and cause a scene.”

“Is a little girl too much work for you?” I scoff. “I would think you’d be stronger than that.”

Matvey glares at me, and I size up to him. “Have something to say?”

“No,” he grumbles. “If you’re not going to ransom her, what are you going to do with her?” I know he’s trying to change the topic.

“I’m going to marry her,” I say calmly. I sip my whiskey and look into his eyes.

“That’s insane. You want to marry a Milov,” Matvey says quietly as though the walls have ears. “What? So, they’ll accept you as one of their own.”

“I don’t care if they accept me or not. I’ve seen her, and I want her. I will always take what I want,” I say.

He frowns. “It’s a bad idea, Igor. The Milovs will declare war if you take their sister by force.”

“We are destined to be at war. The Milovs have always been our enemy,” I hiss. “Do you know how many scars cover my body because of Kervyn and Danil? They will pay for every cut I have endured.”

“Think clearly, brother,” Matvey says. “Why tie yourself to a family we’re going to bring down.”

“To bring them in line where they belong,” I spit. “Beneath me.”

Matvey grabs my arm. “Don’t be a fool.”

“You call the head of your family a fool too easily, Mat. Perhaps you forget where your place really is.”

“I do not,” he says quietly. “I just want to protect you.”

“I have always protected myself. I can continue to do so. Your job is to follow my instructions. Got it?” I look at him.

He looks away and then frowns. “Where is she?”

I turn around and look at the empty sofa. “You didn’t tie her up?”

“I knocked her out with drugs. I didn’t think she needed tying up,” Matvey says as he sets his glass down.

“You idiot. Find her.” I set my own glass down and follow him out of the room.

Chapter 3 - Arina

The man who takes me does not say anything at first. I assume he is alone. Why would the Milovs do this? Why would they kidnap me? Did they figure out who I am to them and strike first? What will they do with me?

A phone rings, and I stay as still as possible even though my body aches from lying on the floor of the van and going over the bumpy road.

“I have her. It was easy, just as you thought it would be. Even with the Milovs around,” the man says.

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