Page 7 of Forced & Knocked-Up Bratva Bride

It was almost like she sensed my gaze, and the moment she spotted me in the VIP area, this young girl held my gaze for a moment. But it wasn’t her gaze that vexed me; it was the way she looked at me like I was a nobody, like I was one of those boys chasing after her in college. Rude!

I felt my blood boil at the disdain in her eyes, the condescension and lack of respect dancing in their depths. Did she not recognize me? Or was this her way of telling me she knew exactly who I was and that she hated my guts? Whatever the case, I was displeased—offended.

However, I kept a straight face, wearing my usual unreadable expression despite the annoyance swirling within me.

As soon as she tore her gaze from me and left for the bar, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I hesitated for a moment, my gaze still trailing her as I retrieved the device. My eyesdropped to the phone’s screen, where a message from Yakov, my lieutenant, caught my attention.

My brows furrowed as the message confirmed what I already knew: Dante was lying about the shipment. It turned out that he did have a hand in the disappearance of my merchandise. According to the message, based on Yakov’s findings, Dante had orchestrated the whole thing.

In simple terms, he stole from me.

My jaw clenched, and that instant, I raised my head, my gaze falling on the girl with the fiery eyes. She was seated at the bar, sipping her drink, unaware of the danger that lurked around her. I’d already decided that I was going to take something even more valuable from Dante than my shipment. Now, as I watched his precious daughter blissfully sip her drink, I couldn’t think of anything more valuable than his golden girl.

A deadly smirk tugged at the corners of my lips as I lifted the glass to my mouth, the sweet scent of the red wine filling the air around me.

The girl didn’t know it yet, but I had such great plans for her.

Chapter 5 – Alessia

My hand subtly trembled as I held on to my glass, heart pounding in my chest. I could feel fear slowly creeping into my mind, quickening my pulse and inflicting me with anxiety.

Why was I so uncomfortable? Why couldn’t I shake the feeling that something was off?

I lifted the glass to my lips and emptied the contents down my throat. The music was still throbbing loudly, its rhythmic beat hypnotizing the crowd. Tens of people surrounded me, and although each of them was busy with one thing or another, I felt safe to some degree.

Why, then, was I so tense? What was my mind warning me about?

I combed my manicured fingers through my hair, letting out soft exhales in an attempt to calm my nerves. Where the hell was Ayla now that I needed her? I turned toward the dance floor, eyes scanning the wild space until I spotted her.

She looked so happy, unbothered by anything, just dancing away her burdens. One look at her and you’d think she had no problems of her own, none whatsoever. But that assumption was far from the truth because she was only human, plagued by her troubles and drama. However, the difference between the two of us was how we handled our problems.

Honestly, sometimes I wish I were as nonchalant and carefree as she was—headstrong with a little hint of defiance. Maybe if I had these traits, my life would be a lot smoother, and I wouldn't be so weighed down by my problems all the time.

A small smile played on my lips as I watched her have fun, her hands in the air, hips swaying here and there. I needed her company right now, especially with this growing fear insideme. But wouldn’t it be selfish of me to just cut off her good time simply because I had a bad feeling about something?

We came out here to have some fun. It wasn’t anyone's fault that I was unable to blend in with the crowd. There was absolutely no need to bother her with my own issues, and I couldn’t in good conscience steal her joy.

The more time passed, the more the feeling of being watched intensified. Sure, as a Romano, I often pulled a lot of attention and stared, but it was different this time—heavier. This feeling started the moment I locked eyes with that devil, and deep down in my heart, I was certain he was responsible for my sudden unease.

It was almost as if I could still feel his gaze lingering on me, yet I was afraid to look back in his direction. He was watching me. Nik Tarasov was watching me, and that alone gave me the creeps. I let out a sigh, my fingers absently drumming on the countertop, as I quietly nodded to the rhythm of the beat.

For years, I’d heard whispers of his name and the effect it often had on people. I’d heard tales, stories of his cruelty and how the man was a master strategist who, when crossed, always left his victims shattered and broken. Rumor had it that his patience was unparalleled, and the more silent he was about a serious wrong done to him, the more severe his plan for revenge was.

I felt my heart stop for a moment, my pulse quickening and accentuating my fear. If Nik was half the man these stories made him out to be, then he was the last person Father wanted to make an enemy of. The man was dangerous, with a unique ability to sit back and wait for the right opportunity to strike. Given the feud between him and my dad, it was only logical to believe he was planning something against my family. Whatever it was, I had a feeling it would be disastrous.

Even now, his gaze still lingered, stirring up all manner of anxiety within me. I tried to act okay, tried to blend in and just enjoy the music. But the more I tried, the more anxious, the more worried, I became. This man shouldn’t have this type of hold over me, especially when we hadn’t even had a conversation with one another. I should bury these pesky emotions and see him as irrelevant, no one of consequence. Yet, he still remained glued to my mind.

I heaved a sigh and summoned the courage to steal a quick glance in his direction. I’d be damned if I didn’t see him watching me like a hawk from his seat, legs crossed. Immediately, I looked away, feeling a sudden chill run down my spine.

Dang it! Did he see me? Has he been watching me this entire time?I thought to myself, my heart racing in my chest. The intensity of his stare only meant that he was up to no good. This man was planning something against me—I could feel it.I gotta get outta here.

I dipped my hand in my pocket and withdrew my phone, fingers rattling across the lit screen as I typed a simple text. “Hey, I’m so sorry I have to leave like this. Something’s come up. See you later?”I hit the send icon, and the message was delivered to Ayla.

My eyes discreetly roamed the space, my brain calculating how long it would take me to get to the front door. I dared to look in his direction, but to my surprise, the couch he lounged on was empty. He was gone.

Where’d he go?

My brows narrowed ever so slightly. But this wasn’t the time to wonder; it was an opportunity for me to get the hell out of here.

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