Page 13 of Bound to the Bratva
Mr. Zuyev leans forward, his eyes fixed on his daughter with a mix of admiration and regret. "Aria," he begins softly, his usually stern voice filled with an underlying sadness. "Your stepmother and I have made many mistakes along the way, but everything we have done and are doing is to protect you, your brother, and your mother."
Aria scoffs again, her voice heavy with bitterness. "Protect me? By destroying my freedom and happiness? I can protect myself, Father. I always have."
The air crackles with tension as all eyes turn to Mr. Zuyev. But, her stepmother is the one who cuts in. She laughs, "No, you haven't. We have always ensured you were safe. You'd think we could discuss this among our family, but look at the way you're acting, airing family business in front of the Volkolvs. How embarrassing."
"You claim to have protected me, ensured I was safe, but how in the fuck did you do that? Hmm?" It amazes me that one of the country's best pediatric oncologists has the mouth of a sailor.
My father looks at me, raising his brows in amusement. Aria certainly is a firecracker.
"There have been seven assassination attempts on you alone, Aria. Six out of the seven were dealt with quietly. So quietly you wouldn't even know what happened if it was within ten fucking feet of you. I protected you from the seventh too, and had my men kill the man they sent after you, but in doing so our entire family became the target of the largest cartel in Brazil. Fortunately for you, Mr. Volkolv is allies with the cartel leader and has handled this problem for us."
"So, what, my marriage is a thank you to them?" Aria nods in our direction.
"It's a peace offering so I don't take everything from your father. Luckily, he has influence that I want, and even though you're a bastard, you can serve a purpose. He wasn't the only one who had to sacrifice his daughter, little one." My father speaks with authority, taking a deep breath before he continues. "I arranged a marriage with my daughter and their son to sweeten the deal."
Aria's eyes widen, and I'm taken aback. I didn't know anything about this, and I doubt Vera does. I know exactly who my father is talking about without naming names. They call themselves cartel leaders, but they're drug lords. I wonder why drug lords were coming after Aria.
"You see, this is about more than just you." Aria's stepmother announces, glaring at Aria.
Aria's anger reaches its boiling point, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and disbelief. "Yeah, it's affecting two women that it shouldn't have to." Her fists clench, her knuckles turning white with the intensity of her emotions.
Her stepmother takes a step forward, her eyes cold and calculating. "You don't understand what it means to be a woman associated with the Bratva, do you? Well, let me make it abundantly clear so you can stop acting like a spoiled child once and for all. It is our duty to marry someone that our father or brother picks out for us. We are the way to solidify peace, and yes, you and Vera are having to appease one family. That is the real disappointment here. I'm sure Ruslan had another family picked out, and yet he's marrying his daughter off to someone to help keep peace."
Aria's breath catches in her throat as she tries to make sense of the words that hang in the air. The weight of responsibility settles upon her shoulders, shifting her perspective in an instant. She looks to her father, searching for answers, but his gaze remains fixed on the ground.
"So, I never even stood a chance? I was never permitted to love anyone. " Aria's voice quivers with uncertainty.
Her stepmother sighs heavily, frustration etched across her face. "No, the choice was never yours."
The realization dawns on Aria like a slap to the face. "I never asked for any of this," Aria whispers, her voice barely audible amidst the weight of the revelation.
"Life doesn't always give us what we want. Sometimes, decisions are made for us and we have to suck it up. So, suck it up, little girl. I'm sure you'll be just fine."
"God, you're incorrigible! I'd rather marry a slug than your pompous ass."
"Luckily for you, I'm a little more attractive than that disgusting creature." I snicker, but she doesn't find it funny in the least bit.
Aria hates me. I can see it written all over her face. I'm going to have my fun with her. Riling her up is soon going to be my favorite hobby, and it looks like it will be oh so easy to do.
Five
Aria
I can't fucking stand him. This is the man my father wants me to marry? Really?
"Are you?" I quip.
Looking at him, there's no doubt he's handsome. His piercing blue eyes hold a hint of sadism. They glisten with an unsettling charm, drawing you in like a moth to a deadly flame. His sun-kissed golden hair is about as alluring as a charming prince to a princess.
Each strand seemingly placed with meticulous care, as if even the wind dared not disrupt its perfect arrangement. It frames his chiseled jawline, accentuating the sharp angles that give him an air of sophisticated danger.
Maxim might be sitting down, but his tall and imposing figure exudes confidence and power. His tailored suit hugging his lean, muscular physique. Every inch of him screams dominance, an aura that commands respect and submission in equal measure. Most women would cream their panties if they were being married to a man like him, but not me. I hate that this choice is being made for me. I hate it much more than I'm actually letting on.
But beneath the surface of his undeniable beauty lies a darkness that sends shivers down my spine. There is a palpable aura of malevolence that surrounds him, an aura that whispers of secrets and unspeakable desires. His lips hold a perpetual smirk as if he knows something you don't and revels in keeping you at bay.
What should I expect, though? This is the man who will eventually inherit the Bratva. Of course, he's going to exude danger.
Yet, despite the tumultuous emotions he stirs within me, I know if I wasn't being forced to marry him, I might actually like him. He's cocky, and I hate it...but in another circumstance, I might find is amusing.
