Page 53 of Forced Bratva Kidnapped Virgin
A stifled chuckle fell off his lips, and he crossed his legs like he owned the place. “In that case, let’s get down to business.”
My heart almost sank. Almost.
“As you know, we live by a set of rules,” he began, his gaze unwavering. “And one of them has to do with stability. A thirty-eight-year-old man like yourself ought to have started raising a family by now.”
“Forty,” I corrected him.
“That’s what I said.”
He’d always had this annoying behavior of never accepting his faults. I was used to it by now.
“Legacy is as important as building an empire.” He set the glass on the side stool. “Here’s what I propose. An alliance, a political connection with a powerful family.”
My expression darkened, knowing exactly where this conversation was headed.
“I’ve spoken with Yuri Sokolowski. He has a daughter, Hannah. Beautiful, eloquent, and highly educated.”
I didn’t say a word.
“You will marry her,” he concluded, reaching for his glass again.
In my father’s mind, that wasn’t up for debate. It was an order, one he expected me to obey without question.
He was in the dark about the situation on the ground—the Kiera situation. I had no idea how he was going to react when he found out, especially because she wasn’t from our world.
“I think you should listen to your father, Nial,” her voice cut through my thoughts. “He knows what’s best for you.”
I couldn’t believe my ears, and by the time I raised my head, she was already at the base of the stairs. My face twisted into a frown as I signaled her to get back upstairs.
But no. She ignored me and walked over to us, calm, composed, and unafraid. She’d been listening this entire time, and only God knew what was up her sleeve.
“Hi,” she said, beaming at my father. “Sorry to interrupt, but seriously, Nial, your dad is right.” She faced me. “Did you not hear the qualities he listed—she’s beautiful, eloquent, and highly educated. Sounds a lot like future Mrs. Tarasov to me.”
My scowl deepened, and for the first time, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Her interference in this conversation was embarrassing and considered rude in my culture.
Mikhail had killed people for lesser things than that. Did she have a death wish or something?
“Who’s this one?” he asked me, his expression still blank.
I couldn’t tell whether he was angry, but he most likely was.
“Oh, I’m the woman he needs to get rid of,” she answered him.
My father shifted his gaze between us, a hint of confusion glinting in his eyes.
“Kiera,” I called, my voice low. “Leave, now.”
“I’m not talking to you, Nial.” She faced my father. “I’m talking to a wise, powerful man who sees what you don’t and wants what’s best for your family.”
Manipulative little devil! She was massaging his ego. And the faint smirk on his lips told me it was working.
“If this marriage secures your alliance, then I think you should make him accept it,” she said to him.
I saw something I hadn’t seen on my father’s face before: shock. Her confidence in the presence of power intrigued him, just like it had intrigued me the first time I met her.
“What’s in it for you?” he asked her calmly. “Why do you want him married to Hannah?”
“Because I want him to set me free and focus on more important stuff. Like starting a family.” She glanced at me. “I just wanna disappear and raise the child on my own.” Her shoulders shrugged. “Everybody wins.”
