Page 23 of Bound to the Bratva
"You ever lay eyes on her again," Maxim growls, his voice low and menacing, "and I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable existence."
The man nods frantically, understanding the severity of Maxim's threat. With one final kick to the ribs, Maxim turns away from him and approaches me. I take a step back, suddenly aware of the dangerous energy radiating from him.
"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice softer now, filled with concern.
I glance down at my disheveled appearance and feel a mixture of shame and arousal ripple through me. This encounter was never supposed to happen, but there's no denying the undeniable chemistry that exists between us.
"I'm fine," I manage to choke out, my voice shaky. "I just want to go home."
Eight
Maxim
Over a week has passed since the night Aria and I were at the bar. I'm certain she still hates me, but I feel as though she's starting to soften up around me.
Our engagement party is in a couple of hours, at some lavish ballroom in an upscale hotel. I need to get ready. The anticipation fills the air as I step into my opulent dressing room, adorned with gilded mirrors and shimmering chandeliers. The room exudes an aura of grandeur, a perfect reflection of the magnificence that awaits us tonight.
As I approach the mirrored vanity, its glass surface gleams like the mirrors have just been added. I've yet to hear back from my real estate agent about the offer I put in, so I shoot her a quick text message while I look over my suit options for this evening.
I scroll through the messages on my phone just in case I've missed one. I haven't.
Waiting for a response from my real estate agent feels like it's taking forever, as I've received no reply. I can't let it bother me too much, though. Tonight is not about properties or investments. Tonight is about celebrating the upcoming union between mine and Aria's family.
Turning my attention to the array of designer tuxedos hanging elegantly in my hotel room closet, I run each of my fingers along the smooth fabric, savoring the touch of luxury. I've never known anything else. Over my entire life, I've always been able to get whatever I've wanted. Each tuxedo is a work of art, meticulously crafted to the ultimate levels of sophistication.
The first one that catches my eye is a midnight blue suit with delicate silver embroidery. Its shimmering threads dance across the dark fabric like stars in a moonlit sky. It speaks of mystery and allure, a perfect choice to captivate Aria's attention.
But then, another catches my gaze. It's a charcoal gray tuxedo with razor-sharp lapels that would make any man look authoritative. Its meticulously tailored silhouette reflects power and control, qualities that would surely tell the guests at our party that I am my father's son.
As the future leader of the Bratva, I want them to respect and fear me.
Yet, as I continue looking through the collection of new suits, I stumble upon a tuxedo that I forgot I purchased. It's a bold crimson red suit with black satin lapels. Its vibrant color commands attention and surely reminds me of the blood the Bratva has shed.
This tuxedo is a statement piece, representing my passion for life and how ruthless I plan to be.
Suddenly torn between these three choices, I step back and take them all in once more.
I settle on the crimson red suit, sure to not only impress my bride-to-be, but also send a message. I might not be happy about our union, but she's the woman I have to deal with.
All I can do now is make the best of it. Sure, I would've much rather preferred someone of pure blood, but she's been chosen for me.
I pick my suit off the rack and as my fingers run along the smooth material, my thoughts drift back to the other night when I fucked her in the alley.
I can remember the way her walls felt tightening around me, and how blissful she looked as I was fucking her brains out.
But, more than anything, I remember the protectiveness that swarmed through my body when I heard that man's voice. I didn't want anyone witnessing what I did to her, and I surely didn't want anyone seeing her in an exposed light either.
I slip into the crimson red suit and feel the weight of its power on my body. With its bold color and sharp tailoring, it's a statement piece that I know will send a message to my guests tonight, including my father.
I need him to know while I respect most of his decisions, I'm not the kind of man he can fuck around with.
As I fasten the buttons and adjust the lapels, I take a moment to admire myself in the mirror.
I see the embodiment of everything I've worked for—wealth, status, and power. This is what I've been raised to aspire for, and this is what I expect from Aria. However, I know I shouldn't expect too much.
She barely had a relationship with her father and grew up outside of his home. She's his bastard daughter, and the way she was raised is so different than how I was raised.
I realize in this moment I'm going to have to teach her what it means to be associated with the mafia, much like I would have to explain it to a child.
