Page 17 of Forced Marriage to the Cruel Bratva Pakhan

It also has a clear view of the outer gate, where a rotating shift of guards maintains security for vehicles entering and leaving the property.

One of them is younger than the others—mid-twenties maybe, with sandy hair and a boyish face that doesn’t quite fit the hardened Bratva image. I’ve watched him for two days now, noticing how he checks his phone when he thinks no one islooking, how he shifts his weight when standing for long periods, small tells that suggest he’s less experienced than the others.

Less disciplined.

On the fifth afternoon, I take my book to the courtyard bench closest to his position and make sure to position myself where he can see me clearly. The weather is warm, so I’m wearing a sundress—nothing inappropriate, but fitted enough to be noticeable. My legs are crossed, one foot dangling as I pretend to read.

I can feel his attention even before I look up.

When I finally glance toward the gate, he’s trying not to stare but failing. Our eyes meet, and I offer a small, friendly smile before returning to my book.

Ten minutes later, I look up again. “Excuse me?”

He straightens immediately, clearly uncertain whether responding is allowed. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Do you know what time it is? I forgot my watch inside.” I gesture vaguely toward the house with my most harmless expression.

He checks his watch. “Just past three, ma’am.”

“Thank you.” I pause, tilting my head slightly. “You’re new, aren’t you? I haven’t seen you on this shift before.”

“Started this rotation last week.” He glances toward the house nervously, like he’s checking whether anyone is watching us talk.

“It must be boring, standing out here all afternoon.” I close my book, giving him my full attention. “What’s your name?”

Another hesitation. “Alexei.”

“Serena.” I smile warmly, knowing full well he already knows exactly who I am. “Though I suppose you already knew that.”

A faint blush creeps up his neck. “Yes, ma’am. Mrs. Rudenko.”

The name still makes my stomach turn, but I keep my expression pleasant. “You don’t have to call me that. Serena is fine.”

Over the next twenty minutes, I draw him into casual conversation—asking about how long he’s worked for the Bratva, whether he’s from the city originally, harmless questions that gradually relax his posture.

He’s polite, almost sweet in his responses, clearly uncertain about the appropriate boundaries but too inexperienced to shut down the interaction entirely.

I let the conversation drift slightly, leaning forward when I laugh at something he says, touching my collarbone absently while maintaining eye contact just a fraction too long. Nothing overt, nothing that crosses clear lines, but enough to make the interaction shift from friendly to something with subtle undertones.

Alexei notices. The blush deepens, and he shifts his weight more frequently, clearly aware that this conversation is veering into territory he shouldn’t be navigating with his boss’s wife.

He doesn’t shut it down either.

I’m about to push a little further—test exactly how far I can take this before he remembers his training—when I feel a prickling awareness at the back of my neck that means I’m being watched.

I glance toward the house and find Pavel standing at the edge of the courtyard, partially shadowed by the covered walkway. He’s wearing dark pants and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, and his expression is completely neutral.

His eyes are locked on me with an intensity that makes my pulse spike.

How long has he been standing there?

Alexei follows my gaze and goes rigid. The easy posture from our conversation vanishes instantly, replaced by military stiffness as he takes two steps back from the bench.

“Sir,” he says quickly, his voice slightly higher than normal. “I was just… Mrs. Rudenko asked about the time.”

Pavel doesn’t acknowledge him. He simply walks toward us with that calm, controlled gait that somehow feels more threatening than if he were storming over in obvious anger.

When he reaches the bench, his gaze finally shifts to Alexei. The younger man looks like he wants to disappear into the stone wall.