Page 35 of Plus-Size Bride Forced By the Bratva
“I haven’t.”
“You said it yourself, cousin.” Nikolai released a puff of smoke. “She’s stubborn and unapologetic.”
“Which only means that she doesn’t know her place—because you haven’t put her in it.” Lui reached for the bottle of vodka on my table and poured himself a drink. “American women are always a problem.”
My blood boiled just listening to the way they spoke about my Ravyn, like she was less of a human than I was. A few weeks ago, this conversation would have been different—it would have gone more smoothly than this.
I couldn’t understand what about Ravyn was slowly changing my personality, especially when it came to issues concerning her.
My friends were right, though. I was getting soft, and she was the reason. Ravyn had slithered into my head, tattooed her name on my mind, and now it was nearly impossible to get her out.
I’d tried several times, and I’d failed woefully each time. Honestly, this was becoming problematic, and if I didn’t do something about it, I just might end up falling for this woman.
The thought alone sent a cold shiver down my spine. This sensation rushing through my blood felt awkward but oddly welcoming. No matter how hard I tried, I always caught myself thinking about her.
It had become worse after that stunt she pulled during the last Bratva meeting. I didn’t expect her to speak up so bravely in front of all those men. Yet she didn’t just speak; she impressed everyone in the room. Including me.
My perception of her changed after that day, when I realized what an asset she was to me. Ravyn had the mind of a businesswoman and the confidence to express it without fear.
She wasn’t held back by anything—not fear, not timidity, not even by the fact that she was a woman amongst powerful men. That type of confidence was rare among most of the women I’d come across in my time.
Perhaps when she spoke that day, she’d unlocked something in me—an emotion that haunted me like a ghost.
“She’s in your head, isn’t she?” Nik’s voice cut through my thoughts. “You can’t get her out.”
I swirled the vodka in my glass but didn’t respond.
“Silence means yes,” Lui added, his eyes pinned on me.
Alexei let out a soft laugh. “I think I know what’s happening here.” He drew closer, a teasing grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Lev’s falling in love with the girl.”
My scowl deepened, and I cast a stern glare at him. “Fuck you, Alexei.”
He laughed. “No. I think you wanna fuckher.”
Again, the room fell silent until Lui broke it with a voice laced with shock.
“Wait. You haven’t claimed her yet?” His brows arched in surprise.
“I told you he needs help,” Nik teased, his lips curling into a faint smirk as he reached for his glass on the side stool.
“It’s all part of my plan,” I answered.
“Yeah, of course. We don’t doubt that.” Alexei’s sarcasm was crystal clear.
“Your silence, Lev, is the reason the girl’s acting up.” Lui lifted his glass to his lips and took a sip, his dark hair catching the low light overhead.
“Listen, brother,” Alexei began, “I don’t wanna teach you how to manage your home….”
Then don’t.
“…but you have to teach her our ways,” he added. “Don’t get me wrong, I admire her spunk and the wonderful ideas she suggested at the meeting. But there are lines women don’t cross, Lev—for their own safety, of course.”
Alexei was right.
“I’ll handle the situation,” came my response, swift and dismissive.
“Alright,” he replied, pouring himself the last vodka in the bottle.
