Page 23 of The Bratva's Prisoner Bride

He was the one who forced me to marry him. He kept me around when he didn't need to, yet he was taking it out on me as if it were the other way around.

And as much as he held what I had done over my head, he still forced us to exist in the same house.

I didn't know if he understood how twisted that was, but he didn't leave me much choice.

While the sun streamed in through the cracks of the blinds, letting me know it was getting later in the morning, I couldn't help but replay everything back in my head.

The way he looked irritated when I prepared to go back to the spare bedroom. How he pinned me to the wall with his hand on my jaw and his thigh between my legs. The tension burned between us while he looked down at me.

At that moment, I contemplated how worthwhile my resistance was...if giving in to him would completely compromise me, or if I'd regret it.

Regardless of the consequences, that closeness between our bodies had me internally risking it all. He held me in that limbo, wondering if he'd take that leap or not.

But he never did. He was being an ass on purpose, keeping me on the edge without following through withanything. I shouldn't have expected any different, but the way he teased me and got my hopes up to some degree drove me crazy.

Ivan was toying with me and I knew it, but a small part of me still couldn't deny how tempting it had been.

But either way, he was a problem, and it was in my best interest to remember that.

Just thinking about the way he handled me was enough to shift my faint disappointment into irritation all over again.

He had been cruel, and if he meant to keep his word, then I could only expect it to get worse.

When I got tired of thinking about it, I pulled myself out of bed, went to the ensuite, and showered, letting the hot water ease away some of my tension.

By the time I was done, stepping out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped around my body, I remembered I wasn't in the spare room where those clothes had been. I didn't have anything in the master bedroom.

Sighing, I went to brave the shameful walk down the hall, but the door opened before I could even reach it.

I jumped, but relaxed ones Veronica knocked lightly and poked her head in.

"Oh good, you're up," she hummed, pushing her way in while carrying several designer clothing bags. She struggled slightly from how big they were, but once she was inside the room, she casually set the bags on the bed.

My brows furrowed slightly at the sight, and I took a few steps toward the bed, still holding the towel against me. "What is all of this?"

"They're from Ivan. He figured you could use some new things," she said simply, pulling a tablet out of one of thebags. She held it out for me. "It seems I arrived right on time too...here, he said you can buy whatever else you might need."

My expression shifted to one of disbelief while I took the tablet with my free hand. I lifted a brow instead. "Really...anything?"

"Well, anything clothing-related. He handled some of the basics, but if there's anything more intimate you need, or if something catches your eye, then don't hesitate," Veronica explained while carefully making the bed and organizing the bags on top. "Fair warning, he'll be able to track what websites you visit. I'd advise against reaching out to anyone."

Her words were a cold reminder of my reality, knowing it wouldn't matter anyway. Even if I could, who would I contact for help?

I sighed and placed the tablet on the bed. "Got it...that's not really an option for me anyway."

When I met her gaze, I noticed how her eyes softened slightly as she nodded, then started pulling some of the clothes out, folding them neatly.

A beat of silence lingered between us while I tried to find something to say. While I didn't know her very well, there was something so disarming about Veronica that I couldn't help but feel comfortable around her, and she was the only company I had as of late that I didn't mind.

Pulling in a breath, wanting to get out of the towel, I reached for the contents of one of the bags and started pulling items out.

The bags were relatively full, all with luxury brands I recognized.

While my brother had money and could easily buy similar pieces, he never bought them for me. Instead, I wore ordinaryclothes and had to watch while he had name-brand things for himself.

It made me feel strange holding a single shirt worth the same as someone's rent. I couldn't deny how nice the material felt, at least.

"Thank you, by the way..." I managed to say, glancing up at Veronica while she helped lay everything out for me to see. "For bringing all of this. And for the painkiller yesterday."

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