Page 16 of Forced Innocent Bride By the Bratva

I tightened my jaw, replacing my pain with hate and anger. “I’d like to be left alone now,” I said to them, my voice stern but polite.

Without hesitation, they picked up the pace and exited the room, leaving me to my thoughts.

There was no way in hell that I was going to let that man touch me tonight—no way. He’d have to kill me first. The mere thought of that alone irritated me, and I could feel my hatred for him growing by the second.

I couldn’t continue to live like this. No. There had to be a way out of this situation, and I was determined to find it by any means necessary. This wasn’t my life, so I refused to accept it.

Chapter 9 – Daniel

My polished black shoes clicked against the fine floor as I glided through the opulent hallway, my fingers loosening the tie around my neck. Raisa and Sofiya had informed me that my bride was already settled in. Raisa, the eldest of my maids and the one I respected the most, had teased that I should go easy on the little bird. She believed the girl wasn’t like one of the regular women I used to toil around with.

“This one has fire in eyes,” Raisa had said with an impressive smile on her lips, and Raisa wasn’t one to be easily impressed.

My bride had only been here for just a few minutes, and my head maiden—my second mother—already developed a liking for her. This should be fun. It just kept getting better and better…for me, of course.

Raisa wasn’t wrong; this onedidhave fire in her eyes. She seemed like the kind who could stand up for herself and fight back when pushed against the wall. Having that in mind, it was safe to think that it was only a matter of time before that fear in her heart would vanish completely, replaced by something fiery and dangerous.

Oh, how I looked forward to that day, the day when she’d have taken just about enough of my bullshit—the day she’d snap and explode, unleashing all of her pent-up rage. That would be fascinating to experience, and the mere thought of it prompted a sly grin on my lips.

I found it rather amusing how, only a few hours ago, she didn’t matter to me at all; she was just a pawn in my revenge game. Now, she’d proven to be a character I simply couldn’t ignore. This woman had proven to be the focal point of this entire game and not just some bargaining chip to be tossed aside after being used.

Everything about her was fascinating, and I couldn’t recall how I missed such a character in the first place. Messing with her was fun, watching her suffer was intriguing, and she somehow had a way of making the game worthwhile. Impressive. I had a feeling that I’d enjoy this forced union more than I had initially thought.

I halted outside my bedroom, anticipating the witty conversation my bride and I were about to have. I had some news that would break her heart, and for some reason, I thought she might respond with something sassy. I pushed the door open and stepped inside, shedding my jacket as my gaze fell on her back.

She was dressed up a white nightgown, sitting on the edge of the bed on the other side with her back to the entrance. I could’ve sworn that I saw her body flinch when she heard the sound of the door opening. Quietly, I walked into the room with poise, my head held high and my shoulders back.

My slow footsteps bounced off the walls as I floated toward her, my movement effortless and serene. I halted beside her, my lips twitching at the corners, impressed by the vision I beheld.

Her red hair was damp from the bath, strands framing her face and sticking to her skin in a rather attractive manner. Her hands were clenched on her lap, and the white lingerie clung to her body, accentuating her curves. The silk fabric hugged her in all the right places, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage and soft, smooth skin.

It was almost like I was looking at a whole other different person, beautiful and elegant in every way, with a sweet scent of shampoo and soap that invaded my senses. This was an unintentional temptation, one that sent heat waves across my body. The O’Sullivan girl wasn’t just a pretty face or a hothead; she was sexy as fuck as well.

I still didn’t know her name. Of course, I’d heard it in passing a few times, but it didn’t stick because I didn’t think it mattered, and now I couldn’t recall it. Maybe if I hadn’t forced the priest to skip the “I do” part of the ceremony, her name would’ve registered in my mind. I didn’t need her silly vows, and she most certainly didn’t mine either, so we just fast-forwarded things to the “I now pronounce you husband and wife” part. Oh, the look of defeat on her father’s face was priceless!

Funny how things turned out. She exchanged vows with her fiancé but ended up marrying a total stranger on the same day and on the same altar. How ironic.

“You look like a frightened rabbit,” I said to her, my gaze fixated on her.

She raised her head, her eyes meeting mine with a flare. “And you look like the monster responsible for the rabbit’s fright,” she declared, her tone stern and unapologetic.

There she is. There’s the fighter. A faint grin lined my lips. “Fair enough. At least now you know who’s in control here,” came my reply as I lowered myself down to the edge of the bed, inches from her.

She adjusted, scooting over uncomfortably as though my presence irritated her. My hand flew to her face, and as she pulled back, her green eyes squinted, her breath hitching in her throat.

“Don’t flatter yourself,printsessa,” I murmured, brushing a wet strand behind her ear, my lips curling into a mischievous grin. “I’m not going to touch you…yet.” The slight pause came when my eyes dropped to her enticing cleavage.

Her brows furrowed, eyes narrowing as confusion settled on her face. I chuckled and rose to my feet, draping my jacket over the mattress. I loved toiling with the O’Sullivan girl; I enjoyed watching her be miserable. It was such a satisfactory sight.

“Oh, and uh…” I began, my gaze never leaving her face in order not to miss the slight change in her expression. “Your father’s been arrested, and your ex-fiancé is….” I paused for the effect, watching her face go pale.

Her eyes widened in shock, and a deep scowl, tinged with fear and anticipation, settled on her face. “What happened to Liam?” she demanded, glaring at me, her chest rising and falling slowly.

I flashed a smirk and said, “Well, let’s just say that he’s holding on by a thin thread.” I clicked my tongue in contempt. “It’ll be such a shame if that thread cuts and he loses his life, wouldn’t it?”

“You’re a monster!” she growled like a raging beast, rising to her feet with nothing but hatred and fire in her eyes.

I loved it!

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