Page 13 of Forced Bratva Bride

“Never,” I said, hoarsely, feeling tired of the chase. He walked toward me again, and we circled one another. “Like I told you a million times already, my brothers have never involved me in their business.”

He stalked toward me then, moving with the fluid grace of someone who knew exactly how dangerous they were. This time around, I was done running. The cell was only that big, and I was growing tired. I crossed my arms and walked back to my cot, sitting on the edge as I stared up at him.

He looked down at me, glowering.

“Let me explain something,” he said, his voice dangerously soft. “Your brothers crossed some lines. I knowyoudid, too.”

“I don’t even know your name,” I snarled in his direction.

He blinked momentarily, confusion spreading across his face.

“One hell of a spy I must have been, huh?” I said with growing confidence. “Spying on a man whose name I don’t even know?”

“Liar,” he growled, shaking his head as his fists clenched slowly, purposefully, by his side, right in my line of sight. He could have tried to intimidate me all he wanted, but it wouldn’t have worked. I was used to my brothers acting this way, and I’d grown a rather thick skin. But there was something about him…that still unnerved me. Somethingdifferent.

“Think I’m lying all you want. Just make sure your brains don’t fall out from thatthinkingyou’re so busy doing,” I snarled.

“Everyonein your family is involved in the business.” He was close enough now that I had to crane my neck up to meet his gaze. “Some just pretend better than others.”

I wanted to push him away, to create space between us, but instinct told me touching him would be a mistake. “My brothers protect me from that world.”

“Do they?” His whiskey-colored eyes studied me with unsettling intensity. “Or do they use your apparent innocence as a weapon?”

The accusation stung because it touched on a familiar insecurity—that my brothers saw me as nothing more than a liability, a possession to be sheltered and controlled. But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing that.

“You don't know my family,” I said coldly. “And you certainly don't know me.”

“Then enlighten me, Larissa.” My name in his mouth sounded sweet, like nectar I shouldn’t touch. “Tell me what I've misunderstood.”

I lifted my chin. “Release me, and I'll have my brothers explain it to you. Probably with bullets.”

His laugh wasn't amused but appreciative, as if he liked it when I played clever. “I've met women from families like yours before. Trained from birth to appear harmless while being anything but.”

“Is that what happened?” I couldn't resist asking. “Some Mafia princess broke your heart?”

Something dark flashed in his eyes, and he stepped closer, but then realized just how close he was, his hips inches away from my face. My heart raced as I looked up and saw his throat bob. And then,he stepped back,as though he hadn’t realized how close he’d gotten. Good.

“I'm not leaving until you drop the act,” he said, ignoring my question. “Tell me what your brothers are planning, and this can end today.”

“You can stay here all night, and I won’t say a word.”

“Maybe I will.”

I watched in shock as he proceeded to do just that. Hours passed in tense silence. He sat down against the wall opposite my cot and watched me with unnerving patience.

We remained locked in our stubborn standoff. I sat with my back against the backrest and watched him right back, refusing to let him know how unnerved I was. My legs ached from the hardness of the mattress. My stomach growled audibly. Thirst made my tongue feel swollen.

As if reading my mind, he stood and picked up the untouched water bottle and broke the seal. He took a small sip, then offered it to me. “See? Not poisoned.”

My throat constricted with need, but I shook my head. He sighed and shrugged, before settling back against the wall.

“My name’s Gio. Giovanni,” he said after another hour of silence.

His name. He offered me his name. Why? Our eyes met, and I gave the briefest nod, acknowledging the kindness, though did not question it further.

But he ruined it when he said. “You knew that, though, didn’t you? It had to be a lie when you said you didn’t know my name.”

I rolled my eyes and looked away, not dignifying his words with a response. When I caught his eye again, I thought I caught him half-smiling.

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