Page 9 of Bratva Bride

"Why would he wantyouthere? You hardly ever come to meets. You're always off with Lukyan doweling out punishments."

This was true. I never had any particular interest in the meets my father would organise with other families or gangs within Las Vegas. I much preferred being out with my brothers, enforcing Father’s word. That’s where the real fun was.

I was debating whether or not to tell Maxim about my father’s thoughts. About how there could be a possibility of marriage. How would Maxim react? He's always shown a bit of possessiveness towards me. Would he flip out? God, I hope not, I don’t want to have to deal with his jealous ass.

In the end I decided to just keep my mouth shut. If my father wanted him to know, he would have told him himself.

"I don’t question my father's orders, and neither should you," I said briskly, effectively ending the rest of the conversation.

The warehouse finally came into view, and I turned around to face Maxim, who was only a few paces behind me.

"I’m not questioning him," Maxim said quickly. "I just have no idea why he'd wantyouthere."

I felt the rage his words brought on flow throughout my entire body. What, does he think I'm not good enough to meet with the De Lucas? That I'm not strong enough to handle it? I closed my eyes and clenched my fists at my side. Taking in a deep, calming breath, I opened my eyes back up to see Maxim watching me intently.

"What?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

I shook my head and turned back around, heading towards the gym. Just as I reached for the handle on the door, I spoke. "I'm going inside to train. Don't follow me," I opened the door and stepped inside, slamming the door behind me.

Maxim has always been this way. He's always questioned my involvement with the Bratva. I don't know if he thinks I'm incapable of doing what needs to be done or if he just doesn't want me in danger. Either way, he needs to mind his own fucking business. Maybe I've let what's been going on between us get too far.

I felt along the wall next to the door and as soon as my fingers found the light switch, I flicked it on. The room immediately started to come into focus as light flowed throughout the warehouse. It was a large space, about 25,000-50,000 square feet, with a high tin roof and concrete flooring. Gym mats were placed strategically throughout the building, and an endless amount of weight sets were stacked haphazardly around the room.

I walked in, making my way to the room at the very end of the warehouse. I opened the door, flicked on the light and stepped inside. Here is my safe haven. The only place I can truly calm down and let myself relax.

Ever since I was a young girl, I've been doing gymnastics. Apart from doing work for the Bratva, gymnastics is my ultimate passion. If I wasn't born into the mafia, I know I would have pursued it as a career. There's no way to describe the happiness that flows through me when I fly in the air, twisting and turning my body only to land back on the ground with complete ease. Such pride. Such accomplishment. It's a truly wonderful feeling.

Once my mother saw the love I have for this sport, she built me my very own gymnastics gym. Fully loaded with the very best equipment money can buy.

I headed straight for the large open space, ready to kick off and just start flying. Ready for my mind to disappear and let my body take over.

I stood dead centre on the large blue mat; feet planted firmly on the ground with my hands at my side. I cracked my neck and shook my hands out, jumping up and down on the spot. I pulled out my phone from my back pocket, connected it to the Bluetooth speakers and clicked Spotify.

Music immediately started blasting throughout the room, the walls almost shaking from the vibrations, but I didn't care. The louder the better. I just wanted to drown out everything and focus on the task ahead of me.

I tossed my phone to the side and ran forward, immediately starting. A constant of front handsprings until I reached the end of the mat and then a full-twisting layout, landing solidly on my feet. Without missing a beat, I flung my body back towards the centre of the mat and ended up in a handstand. My body, completely straight with my toes pointed at the roof. I waited five seconds, maintaining that position, staying still until I slowly moved my hands, heading back the way I came. After moving ten metres on my hands, I arched my body backwards and flipped, landing back on my feet. Then I spun around and did it all over again.

For hours and hours, I worked my body, pushing it almost to its breaking point. I flipped, I flew, I twisted my body in every direction it could go, working on making it as flexible as it can be. By the time I was finished, I was lying on my back in the middle of the mat, sweat coating my body and my breathing ragged. My muscles ached beyond belief and I couldn't help the smile coming across my face. This was a good session.

The sound of someone doing a slow clap pulled me out of my thoughts and my eyes scanned the room, trying to pinpoint the location of the noise. My brother Lukyan stood leaning against the far wall with a smirk on his face and his hands clapping in front of him.

"What the fuck do you want?" I grumbled, closing my eyes.

Lukyan stayed silent and I thought he might have left until I heard his large body plop down next to mine. I turned my head to face him.

"Whatcha doin'?" he asked, rolling his body to face me and propping his head on his hand.

I couldn't help the smirk that came on my face. "Nothing, just thinking," I replied, turning my head back up towards the ceiling. "How were the high rollers?" I asked.

Truth be told, I was a little pissed that I couldn't go with. Usually, it was Lukyan and I that handled the clients. Sometimes people stepped out of their place, either mouthing off to someone they shouldn't be, or refusing to pay their debts. That's where Lukyan and I come in. As Father's enforcers, it's up to us to keep people in line.

Lukyan pulled out a knife from the sheath on his hip and held it up high. It was still dripping with blood. "Not as much fun as I would have liked it to be but entertaining enough."

I nodded, staying silent. Eventually Lukyan sighed loudly.

"You're pissed I had all the fun aren't ya?" Even though I couldn't see his face, I knew the bastard was smiling.

"Fuck you," I grumbled.

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