Page 15 of Forced Innocent Bride By the Bratva

How could something so dark and eerie on the outside be so bright and cozy on the inside?

I was shocked to my bones at the incredible sight in front of me, but I couldn’t let him see that. His mansion’s interior might be impressive, but his personality was nowhere close.

Two maids dressed in black and white uniforms approached us, their expressions unreadable. One seemed to be in her mid or late fifties, with fine black hair styled in a neat bun. Her hazel eyes locked on me, and her expression softened ever so slightly with something that resembled a smile playing on her lips. The other was younger, maybe my age or slightly older, with blonde hair that cascaded down her shoulders like a river of gold. Both women were beautiful in their unique ways, and for some inexplicable reason, the older woman’s gaze made me feel…safe? Maybe not that, but something close to it.

“Mr. Tarasov,” the older woman greeted, both women bowing their heads in reverence. Her Russian accent laced her tone, adding a sense of originality to her speech. “Welcome back, sir.”

He nodded, saying something to her in the Russian language, and both women immediately shifted their gazes back to me. My brows knitted together, lost as I wondered what he’d just said to them about me.

“Understood,” the older woman said to him, taking a step toward me. “You’ve had a long day. Come with me so you can have a warm bath.”

That wasn’t such a bad idea. I was reeking of sweat anyway and in desperate need to freshen up.

Wait a minute—she’d called him Mr. Tarasov.

My heart sank into my stomach at the realization of my captor’s identity. Daniel Tarasov. His first name hadn’t rung a bell initially. And although Liam had said Daniel and his men were Russian Bratva, I was too riled up to have pieced it together. The Tarasov Bratva was responsible for crashing my wedding. Of all the mafia gangs in the city, I was entangled with the worst of the worst.

Fuck! Things just got even more complicated.

Daniel left me with the maids and walked over to sit on a couch, one leg crossed over the other. He glanced back at me one more time before turning his face away. I swallowed hard against the dryness in my throat and followed the maids up the double-curved staircase, its chandelier casting warm glows over our features.

The maids led me to the master bedroom, a symphony of opulence adorned in rich drapes that shimmered like moonlit silk. The marble floor was polished to a shine, and a majestic four-poster bed dominated the room’s center. Crystal sconces cast warm, golden lights that enveloped the entire space, adding to the luxurious ambiance of the room.

“This way, miss,” the older woman said, gesturing toward a door that I was certain led to the bathroom.

I followed, eager to wash off the trouble of the day that clung to me like a second skin. My body was already itchy, and I hadn’t felt so dirty and unkempt before. Inside, the bathroom was a marble-clad oasis with gleaming white stones covering every surface—floors and walls alike. A massive, freestanding tub stood regally, dominating the space with its curved, golden features that invited relaxation. A kaleidoscope of colors from the hanging chandelier danced through the faucets, adding a sense of warmth and comfort to the space.

“Would you like us to bathe you, miss?” the younger maid asked, her voice soft and polite.

What am I, a child?I thought to myself but replied with a simple, “No, thank you.”

“We’ll be outside if you need us,” the older woman said, her full lips curling into a faint grin.

She led the way, and they both left the bathroom, gently shutting the door behind them.

I drew a deep breath, my fingers moving mechanically as I shed my stained and torn wedding gown. The ruined dress slid off my body and fell loosely at my feet, exposing my nakedness. I raised my head and caught a glimpse of my reflection in the full-length mirror before me. Dirt smudged my face, and a few scratches and bruises marred my leg. My whole body was aching, prompting a reflexive groan from my lips. My gaze dropped to the floor where a faint smudge of blood remained, reminding me of the minor cut beneath my left foot, and I winced in memory of the pain.

I stepped away from the mirror, my hands darting to my head. My fingers combed through my tangled red hair as I stepped into the waiting tub. Like a gentle hug, the warm water enveloped me, soothing my frazzled nerves. I felt the tension ease a bit, my muscles relaxing as I slid in deeper. With closed eyes, I released a soft sigh, letting the water cradle me, calming my racing thoughts. As the warmth seeped into my bones, I felt my breathing slow, my heart steadying by the minute.

The sensation was almost medicinal, washing away the grime and stress of the day.

Ironic how this bath was the only good thing that happened to me on this fateful day.

I silenced the voices in my head, and my mind was as still as the night itself as I let the water work its magic. I drew a long breath and sank into the tub, my eyes narrowing as water bubbles escaped my lips. I could hold my breath for about a minute and a half, so lying underwater and enjoying the fleeting peace and quiet it provided wouldn’t be a big deal.

Once I had washed myself with a nice fragranced soap and shampooed my hair, I felt a sense of renewal. Physically, my body was refreshed, but the warm bath did little to improve my emotional and mental state.

Water dripped from my wet body as I stepped out of the tub, my feet resting on the cool, treacherously slippery floor. With caution, I glided over to a hanger and helped myself to two white towels. I wrapped one around me, and with the other, I dried my hair and wrung it over my head.

I left the bathroom and returned to the master bedroom, where I met the two maids standing by the four-poster bed, their attention shifting to me. The older woman beamed at me, gesturing toward a white silk nightgown—lingerie. My eyes squinted, and I asked, my voice hoarse, “What’s that for?”

The two women exchanged glances, uncomfortable by my glare and the frown on my face.

“It’s, uh….” The older one cleared her throat. “It’s a little something to spice up your wedding night.”

Unbelievable.

My brows shot up in shock, my expression darkening as I realized just how ruined my wedding night was. This wasn’t how I thought today would end at all, and it shattered my heart, charging my tear glands.

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