Page 44 of Forced Innocent Bride By the Bratva

As I left the ring, my men and Vince’s surrounded me while the crowd roared, some reaching to touch me. Scarlett had come down from the private lounge, standing away from the crowd, her eyes tracing my movement as I walked toward her.

Her skin was flushed, and her chest heaved slowly, her lips slightly parted. She didn’t realize it, but she’d been holding her breath, afraid for my safety.

I halted in front of her, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips.

She crossed her arms and raised her brows. “Tiny Jack, really? You agreed to fight him, of all people?”

I chuckled, fingers caressing her chin. “Were you worried about me?”

She let out a dismissive scoff. “That was reckless, not to mention dangerous.”

“So, youwereworried about me,” I teased, looking right into her eyes.

Scarlett was silent, her eyes shining with a mix of pride and relief. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her to myself, the noise and roaring of the crowd fading into the background.

“How was the show?” I asked, my voice mild and teasing. “You enjoyed watching me fight, didn’t you?”

Although she was quiet, her eyes and the faint grin on her lips betrayed her silence. She loved it: the rush of adrenaline, the thrill, the tension, the suspense, and everything that came with it.

Whether she admitted it or not, she was gradually starting to blend into my world, accepting her fate—her new reality.

“Impressive move back there,” Vince’s voice cut through the roaring of the crowd, his shoes clicking against the floor as he approached us.

I turned to face him, watching the grin on his lips, the flicker of pride in his eyes.

“You gave us quite the show.” He chuckled, halting in front of me with a hand on my shoulder. “For what it’s worth, I banked on you to win, and you didn’t disappoint.” He patted my shoulder. “You’ve made me thousands of dollars richer tonight.”

I let out a dismissive scoff. “Well, in that case, enjoy your money.” I turned to leave.

His grip on my shoulder tightened, and he leaned in. “Watch your back, Danny Boy, a lot of evil eyes out there.” His strong fingers massaged my muscles. “Trust no one. No one,” he whispered, his breath against my ear.

Vince patted my shoulder and stepped away. “See you around, Daniel,” he said, heading back up to his private lounge.

My eyes squinted ever so slightly, wondering what he meant by that. In this world of ours,trustwas a strong word that we didn’t always throw around. Vincent was certain that I knew better than to trust anyone outside those who had proven their loyalty to me over time.

He wasn’t the kind of man to say things on a whim; Vincent’s words should not be taken for granted. The man was old in the game; he’d seen things and had more experience than me. If he said to watch my back, then that was exactly what I was going to do.

***

After we got back home, Scarlett did the unexpected for the first time, an action that would, in turn, change the dynamics of our relationship. She had the maids prepare me a warm bath, and while I took my clothes off, she stepped forward.

“Let me,” Scarlett said, her voice mild and gentle as her hand grazed my skin.

I met her gaze, my eyes squinting in bewilderment. Without a word, she helped shed my jacket, her manicured fingers undoing the buttons of my undershirt. Her movement was slow, deliberate, and poised until the shirt was off, revealing my bruised skin. Her eyes dropped to my torso, fingers slowly tracing the wounds I’d sustained during the fight. With each touch, I felt my pain dissipate into thin air. Her caresses were gentle, genuine, and soothing.

“Does it hurt?” she whispered, her eyes fixed on a blister, fingers massaging the area around it.

“I’ve had worse,” came my reply, savoring the feeling of her hand on my body. “I’ll live.”

She raised her head, her eyes locking to mine, her soft palms traversing my torso. Scarlett caressed my skin, easing my tense body and relaxing my muscles. Her hands slid down, fingers running along the ridges of my chiseled abs.

I watched her breath hitch, her chest heaving with slow breaths as she stared into my eyes. “You should freshen up,” she whispered, her warm exhale soft against my skin.

My lips curled into a mischievous smile. “You say it like there’s a reward for me,” I teased.

“Maybe.” Her shoulders shrugged causally, eyes sparkling with a mysterious glint. She pulled away from me, her teeth seductively grazing her lower lip.

Energized, I withdrew, taking backward steps toward the bathroom. Once inside, my brows rose at the elegant setting—simple yet intimate. Lit candles adorned the space, their delicate flames casting a soft glow across the marble walls, giving the space a warm, inviting feel. The scent of lavender and vanilla filled the air, mingling with the subtle hint of sandalwood.

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