Page 15 of Forced & Knocked-Up Bratva Bride

I closed my eyes, drawing a deep, long breath.

The distant wail of sirens and the chirping of birds filled the air, blending with the sweet scent of fresh flowers. But even those weren’t enough to keep my mind off the Romano girl.

I placed a stick between my lips and lit the tip, then inhaled for a moment before releasing a puff of smoke. The idea was to drown out the image of her lying in my bed, to push the illicit thoughts that occupied my mind to the back of my head.

She was weak, vulnerable, and mine for the taking. But as cruel as I was, I was not a pervert. I wanted her. Yes. My bodycraved her. Yes. But would I force myself on her? Hell, no. There were lines that I’d never cross, irrespective of how evil the rest of the world thought I was.

I dragged on my cigar and let out a soft sigh, allowing all those crazy thoughts to slowly dissipate into thin air.

Chapter 13 – Alessia

A slight groan left my lips, my eyelids fluttering as I finally came to. Although my gaze was still hazy, my vision cleared after a few blinks. I felt subtle aches all over my body, a small pang at the back of my head, and weakness in my bones. But that was it—nothing serious.

I was snuggled up beneath a thick blanket, its warmth wrapping around me like a shield against the cold. My heart beat was calmer—a lot steadier than before. When my hand flew to touch my forehead, I realized my skin was no longer burning up. My temperature had returned to normal, and the fever had finally broken, sending a welcome coolness spreading through my body.

The bed itself felt softer, silkier, and much more comfortable than before. A familiar aroma wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of a Cuban cigar that teased my nostrils. Something was different, but I just wasn’t sure what it was exactly—not yet, anyway.

I blinked a few more times and rubbed my eyes with the back of my hands, my vision clear as day. The grand chandelier that illuminated this strange yet incredibly opulent space seemed to have cost a fortune. Its warm, golden lights enveloped the entirety of the room, accentuating the breathtaking view of this luxurious area.

This room was a sanctuary of opulence. Its fine walls were adorned with intricate, hand-painted murals depicting serene landscapes and subtle gold accents that seemed to catch the light.

State-of-the-art furniture was meticulously positioned to create a harmonious balance of form and function. Sleek sofas upholstered in rich, neutral tones were arranged in aconversational circle across the bed while a minimalist table crafted from polished glass dominated the center.

The sprawling four-poster bed itself had a dark, polished wood frame adorned with sumptuous cream-colored linens and plush velvet pillows. To my right, a magnificent floor-to-ceiling window offered a stunning view of the city's nightlife. Outside, the stars twinkled like diamonds in the sky, casting a magical glow over the room.

This was definitely not the same room that imprisoned me. No, it wasn’t. And judging by the sophistication and opulence of this space, it was safe to assume that it was Nik’s master bedroom. But how did I get here, and what in heaven’s name was I doing in his bed? Wait a minute, did he…?

My breath hitched in my throat, and I lowered my head down the blanket, my eyes examining my body. Everything seemed fine, and I was still in the same shirt I’d had on earlier. My body was fine, and there were no signs of molestation whatsoever, meaning he hadn’t touched me. A sigh of relief slipped through my lips, and that was when I realized my hand had been on my chest this entire time.

He must have found me on the floor and decided to nurse me back to health.

How sweet!I thought to myself.

But as ironic as I intended for that statement to sound in my head, it was laced with a heavier dose of sweetness than I cared to admit.

The irony on its own was lost on me—being cared for by the very person who put me in this predicament in the first place. Well, he wasn’t exactly the cause of the fever, if I was being honest, but still, he was the reason I was trapped in this mansion.

I heaved a sigh, feeling much better. With a fluid motion, I tossed the blanket to the side and sat on the edge of the bed.For a moment, I cupped my face in my palms, my bare feet resting on the soft rug beneath me. My eyes darted toward the parted balcony glass doors, where he stood at the edge with elbows on the railing. He had his back against the room, his eyes fixed across the horizon as a thread of smoke swirled around his face.

Should I go over to him and start a conversation, or should I just pretend to still be asleep?

The latter felt like a punishment, considering that I was wide awake with no intentions of going back to sleep at any time soon. Besides, how would I succeed in my plan to seduce him if I were too timid to face him or start a conversation?

I looked in his direction, drinking in the ridges and contours on his back—the scars and cuts that seemed to map his skin. He was stripped from the waist upward, his built body a rather pleasing sight to behold. I found myself lusting, my gaze glued to him. The stripes on his back, the wounds, and deep cuts drew my attention, piquing my curiosity. As I stared at him, I wondered what tales, what stories, were behind those scars, and I was interested in finding out how he got each injury.

Nik, like my father, lived in a world full of violence, chaos, and disorder. His life was constantly at risk, and judging by the map of scars on his back, I believed this man had come face to face with death more times than I could guess. No wonder he was so cold and ruthless; anyone who survived such deep cuts and wounds would essentially lose their humanity. I doubted that he even felt pain at all.

My hands darted to my head, fingers combing through my hair as I let out a sigh. I rose to my feet, adjusting my oversized shirt, my palms smoothing down the faint wrinkles. I’d almost buttoned up the top when I realized it was better to leave those first three buttons as they were—undone.

Seduction 101: Be sure to always give a tantalizing glimpse of your assets,I said to myself.

I rolled my neck in a massaging motion, and just because I took a step forward, I caught a reflection of myself in a full-length mirror. The oversized T-shirt swallowed my frame, its long sleeves slipping past my hands. As the fabric draped over me, its hem brushed against the tops of my thighs, exposing my legs and toned skin.

My pupils were dilated, eyes still wide and glassy from the fever’s grip, and they seemed to simmer with a silent resilience. Even in recovery, there was still a glimpse of something hauntingly sexy that I was certain would catch Nik’s attention.

I brushed my hair with my fingers, styling the unkempt strands that framed my face until they appeared more presentable. I heaved another sigh and glanced in Nik’s direction before heading toward him.

My bare feet were soundless against the cool marble floor as I stepped onto the balcony, the gentle night air caressing my skin. I watched him smoke his cigar, bathed in the moon’s ethereal glow, his gaze still fixed on the horizon.

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