Page 44 of Bratva Bastard

I nodded, mumbling “Mhm.”

And there it was—the look in her eyes like she was a lion hunting its prey, ready to pounce. “You know,” she said, her voice low and seductive. She stepped closer, grabbing at my waist and pulling me against her. “We still have at least ten minutes before we need to be downstairs.”

Her hands traveled down to the top of my pants, and she hastily tried to undo my belt.

On instinct, I grabbed her wrists, stopping her in place. Realizing my mistake, I softened my grip, caressing her wrists with my thumbs. “Darling,” I forced myself to say. “I told you, I think we should wait until after the wedding.”

She scoffed, tossing her hair back. “Why? I’ve heard about you, Maxim Koslov. I know you’ve fucked a lot of women, so why won’t you fuck me? Huh? I keep throwing myself at you, and you keep turning me down. Why won’t you fuck me?”

It was the same question she’d repeated all week, every time she tried something, which was often.Fuck, man. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep up this charade. Her incessant neediness and seduction drove me insane—I wanted to put a fucking bullet in my brain.

“Why?” she asked again, rubbing her palm over my crotch.

“For fuck’s sake, Ana. I don’t want to have sex with you right now. I’m sorry if you’re displeased with that, but as yourfuture husband, please respect my wishes. I want to wait for the wedding.” I sighed, rubbing my temples, adding, “And by the way, it’s Chernoff. MaximChernoff, not Koslov.”

With a nasty grimace, she stared at me, her lips curled in disgust. “You just wait until my father hears about this.” She turned on her heels, stomping toward the door.

Her threat may have sounded like bullshit, but I knew otherwise. If she told her father, we’d all be fucked.

I softened my expression, forcing myself to play the role of her fiance. As much as I wanted to tell that bitch to fuck off, I couldn’t risk anything happening to my brothers or their families because of me. So, I bit back on my resentment, and smiled. My voice was strained as I told her, “Wait! Excuse my rudeness, love. I’m only trying to treat you like a proper lady.”

It was the biggest, bullshitting lie I’d ever told, but if it got her off my fucking back for five minutes, then I’d do it.

With a devious look in her eye, she strutted toward me, running her finger down my chest. “I don’t want to be proper,love.” She mocked me, knowing I was talking out my ass to keep her father from turning into a fucking psycho. Ana pulled down her shirt, her tits popping out. She grabbed the back of my head and kissed me hard, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. “Treat me like one of your whores.”

Her lips moved down my neck, her hand back down to my crotch, and she grabbed my dick through my pants. “Come on, baby,” she whispered in my ear. “Let me feel how big that cock is when it’s hard.” Her fingers slid beneath my pants, but I shoved her away.

She stumbled backwards, humiliated by the rejection, though she masked it with a scowl. “What the fuck is wrong with you? A hot woman throws herself at you and you shove her away? You know what? I’m tired of your games. One minute you want me, but then when I try to fuck, you don’t? Make up your mind!”

How many fucking times did I have to tell her thatI didn’t want to have sex with her? How could I get it through her thick fucking skull? I’d had it with her shit. There was no way I could handle being married to this woman, even if it was for my family. I could barely stand fifteen minutes alone with her.

“I told you,” I answered through gritted teeth. “I don’t want to have sex with you.”

She flipped her hair, heading to the door with her typical threat. “I’m telling Daddy.”

What a spoiled fucking brat.

I rolled my eyes, blowing out a breath. “Fine. You know what? Tell him whatever the fuck you want because I’m done with this shit.” I shoved past her and out of the bathroom, leaving her to react in whatever way she wanted because I couldn’t give a fuck less anymore.

I only hoped that I hadn’t fucked my brothers over in the process.

19

Crissy

“Hey, girl,” Gemma said, greeting me at the front door. She took in my expression and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

I didn’t know where else to turn, and somehow, I’d ended up at her door, hoping she could help me figure out this mess with Maxim.

We walked inside to the kitchen, sitting at the familiar barstools. Andrei stood in the other room, but I didn’t care. At this point, I was used to him being there. If Maxim left me anything, it was the safety of a bodyguard.

“Have you spoken to Maxim?” I asked, sighing in frustration. “I’ve tried calling him but he won’t answer. But I need to speak to him, Gemma. It’s important.”

She shook her head, shrugging. “I haven’t heard from him. Next time I speak to Dimitry, I can have him give Maxim a message for you.”

I buried my face in my hands, the stress overwhelming me. Unable to hold back, I sobbed into my hands, my voice lilting when I said, “I’m pregnant.”

Gemma’s hand rested on my shoulder, rubbing my back in a soothing, circular motion. “And it’s Maxim’s?” she asked, putting the obvious pieces together.

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