Page 75 of Claimed Bratva Virgin

A murmur rippled through the room.

“Security, control, and influence are what we offer—not just in the form of muscle but in strategy, information, and leverage. With us, you gain access to networks you wouldn’t even know existed. And we have the resources to make sure your competitors never get too close.”

One of the board members, a man with thinning gray hair, leaned forward with evident skepticism.

“And why would we trust the Italians?”

I smirked. “Because you don’t have a choice. The question isn’t whether you trust me. It’s whether you’re willing to let someone else in the game who can offer you what you can’t evenfathom. We can secure your future while you sit back and collect the profits.”

I clicked the remote again, and the next slide flashed—data, projections, and a roadmap of how we could integrate seamlessly into their operations. A detailed analysis of how our assets, from legitimate businesses to underground networks, could bolster their operations.

And their resistance started to crack.

“The corporate world and the underworld aren’t so different. You and me, we’re the same,” I said. “Both thrive on power and the ability to manipulate situations to your advantage. The only difference is we’re not bound by the same rules. Imagine what you could achieve with that kind of freedom.”

Another board member, a younger woman with sharp eyes, raised an eyebrow. “And what do you want in return?”

“Simple.” I shrugged. “A seat at the table. The mafia doesn’t operate in the shadows forever. We’ve built empires without your kind of legitimacy, but what if we combined the two? The protection, the reach, the influence. You get to expand your corporate empire—and we get control over markets and power that could change everything.”

There was a shift in the room. The walls were coming down, bit by bit. They didn’t know it yet, but they were already mine.

“You don’t have to agree today,” I added smoothly, stepping closer to the table. “But remember this: Every day you wait, someone else out there will be making the same offer to your competitors. And trust me, if they beat you to it, you’ll regret not taking this chance.”

I let my words hang in the air, and my gaze drifted to the most prominent man in the room: my husband. Dark desire lingered in his gaze, and a satisfied smile sat on his lips. I nibbleddown on my lips because I knew he liked it before I faced my clients again.

And just like that, the deal was already done.

****

One year.

One year since I had given birth. One year since everything had changed.

But nothing really changed. I was back to work, pumping harder than before. The Colombo family still ran like a well-oiled machine, and the alliances I had forged remained intact. I was feared before, but now, the people respected me.

The weight of motherhood hadn’t crumbled me; instead, it had hardened me in ways I didn’t even realize were possible.

My body was still adjusting—subtle shifts that no one else could see, but I felt them every day. My hips had widened slightly, a curve I hadn’t known I’d need but now embraced, and my chest was fuller than before. The tautness of my skin, once as smooth as silk, now held traces of motherhood in the soft stretch marks that no longer felt like imperfections but the marks of strength, of survival. I was different, but I was still me. Just stronger, sharper.

The moment we stepped out of the building, the air felt cooler against my skin. And with every step I took, the burden of the day’s events seemed to lift.

Rafa’s presence beside me grounded me, and the tension I didn’t even realize I was holding in my shoulders started to ease.

We got into the car, and I relaxed in it, the familiar scent of leather and him filling the small space.

I didn’t wait a second before leaning my head onto his broad shoulder.

I exhaled softly, letting the exhaustion of the day settle into my bones. “It’s been a long day.”

His hand found mine, and he intertwined our fingers. I felt the heat radiating from him and leaned in closer, brushing my lips against his neck. It was meant to be a casual gesture, but it had my pulse quickening.

“You know,” he murmured into my hair and kissed my cheek, “you’re even more captivating when you’re in control.”

I lifted my head just enough to meet his eyes. The intensity of his gaze made me shiver. “Is that so?” My lips curved into a playful smile. “Maybe I just needed the right incentive to let someone else take the lead.”

He chuckled, and the sound traveled straight between my legs. “Oh, I can think of a few ways to make you let go.”

He’d said it confidently, and I bit my lip, anticipation rising like a slow burn between us. The car moved through the city, and somehow, I missed being behind the wheel, but in that moment, I was entirely focused on him.

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