Bratva Bride (Bratva Series Book 1)

I watched in awe as the tall Russian beauty walked out of the room, her long, black hair flowing behind her.

Illayana Volkov.

Even though we weren’t formally introduced, I knew who she was. I knew who they all were.

The second she had first walked into the room, she had my undivided attention. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Her gorgeous tan skin, her beautiful, piercing blue eyes and those enticing, full lips had me screaming in my head for a little taste.

Never in my life had any woman caught my attention the way she had. The way she moved. The way she talked. The way she walked into a room commanding your attention. It all called to me. She called to me.

I could tell straight away she wasn’t anything like the other women I’ve dated. She was a fighter. A warrior. A soldier. Even though I could see she was armed, it still surprised the fuck out of me when she pulled a blade from her coat and threw it at Vin.

She reminded me of a kitten. A vicious little thing that, when threatened, would rip you to shreds with her teeth and claws. Oh, I had no doubt she was lethal, dangerous. The fact that she could throw a knife with such speed and precision proved that. But that’s what made her so captivating. All the women in the famiglia were timid. Docile. Boring. None were anything like her. And I was supposed to marry one of them?

No. That’s not what I wanted. I didn’t give a fuck if it broke tradition, I didn’t want a weak wife. I wanted someone strong, who could match me. Challenge me. And I knew that woman was Illayana.

Her sweet, sexy voice as she spoke in Russian and Italian made me want to fuck her so hard that she screamed my name.

I could tell by the way she kept looking at me that she was as affected by my presence as I was in hers. She tried her best to hide it. To hide the lingering gazes and the blushes that crept onto her face, but I saw it. I saw it all.

Even that stupid fucker at the back, Maxim. I saw how he looked at her, with hunger and desire. His eyes never left her body the entire time we were in that fucking room and it took everything in me not to march over there and shove my gun down his throat. He might not have known it, but the second she walked into that room, she was mine.

Her brother, Aleksandr, was a quiet one. I kept an eye on him, even though the majority of my attention was on his gorgeous younger sister. He was a big guy, packed with muscle like a damn marine. I knew it would be in my best interest to avoid pissing that dude off. Not that I was worried I couldn’t take him. I could. I just didn’t really want to go toe to toe with the dude.

According to the information Vin acquired about their family, she had another two older brothers. Nikolai and Lukyan. I was hoping they would be here as well so I could assess them, but no matter. I’m sure there will be plenty of time to get to know my future brothers-in-law.

Vin let out a low, long whistle of surprise as the double doors slammed shut. ‘Damn,’ he breathed, running a hand through his thick, black hair. ‘She was somethin’ huh?’

I turned around to look at my younger brother. To me, he looked exactly like our father, only a much younger version of him. His startling vivid green eyes were locked firmly on me as I stared him down.

‘Don’t even fucking think about it, Vin,’ I grumbled, shoving his shoulder as I walked past.

‘What?’ he asked innocently, arching an eyebrow. ‘The deal is to marry a De Luca son,’ he stated, walking forward, stretching out his arms and turning in a circle. ‘Uhm hello. . . that’s me.’ He pointed his thumbs at his chest, a sly smile spread out over his dumb handsome face.

‘It was my idea, stronza,asshole, therefore I’m the one marrying her.’

‘No fucking way! Just because you suggested it? Na-uh,’ Vin said, shaking his head aggressively. I swear sometimes you would think he’s bloody five years old.

Alessandro’s deep, throaty chuckle made Vin and I look at him in confusion.

‘What’s so funny?’ I asked, frowning.

Alessandro shook his head, his big body still shaking from laughter. “I find it amusing that you think the choice is yours, my sons.’

‘Why wouldn’t it be? When Dimitri agrees, I’ll take her as my wife. End of discussion. There is no choice in the matter,’ I stated firmly.

‘It is not Dimitri who must agree to the marriage,’ Alessandro replied. His blue eyes locked onto me as he waited for me to figure out the hidden meaning behind his words.

‘Then who?’ Vin asked, scratching his head. His nose was scrunched up, like he was working his brain overtime to try and work it out himself.

Alessandro sighed. ‘Illayana’s of course.’

Surprise flashed across Vin’s face. ‘What? That can’t be right. As a matter of fact, what was she even doing here? Since when does a woman get involved in our world?’

I could see where he was coming from. In La Cosa Nostra, the women are never involved in the day-to-day operations of the world we live in. They were to be kept safe. To be protected. At the slightest hint of danger, they were taken away and hidden in our safe houses until the danger had passed. It’s the way it’s always been. . . for us anyway. But a part of me knew that the Russians didn’t work that way. At least, from what I’ve seen so far of their beautiful Russian Princess.

‘The Russians are different, Vincenzo. They do not hide their women away. They are raised in the life. Like you and your brother,’ Alessandro replied, heading towards the exit.

‘Bullshit!’ Vin snapped. ‘I’ve never once since a woman out on the streets.’

Vin and I followed behind Alessandro as we made our way down the long corridor, heading towards the elevator. My father’s men dropped into position behind us, flanking us.

The blonde woman who brought drinks to Dimitri throughout the meet was standing beside the elevator with her head down, hands clasped in front of her body. At our approach, she quickly pushed a button on the wall, calling the elevator.

Vin narrowed in on the woman instantly. His lips curved up in a smile as he stood in front of the blonde. ‘Well, here I am,’ he said, sweeping his arms out in front of him. ‘What were your other two wishes?’

The woman slowly lifted her head and her jaw dropped open.

Yeah, my brother always had that effect on women. I shook my head, chuckling.

‘Uh-uhm. . . what?’ she croaked.

‘Aw, don’t be shy darlin’. How about we head back to your place and you can tell me your other two wishes,’ he leaned forward, bringing his lips to her ear. ‘I’ll do everything I can to grant you your every desire, bella,’ he whispered.

‘Vincenzo! Enough!’ Alessandro barked as the elevator appeared and he stepped inside.

Vin pouted as he followed us in. He turned around and waved his fingers in the air at the now pale and frozen blonde. ‘Next time,’ he whispered seductively, blowing her a kiss.

I brought my hand up and smacked the back of his head just as the doors closed.

‘Ugh, what the fuck?!’ Vin hissed, massaging his head.

‘Can’t you keep it in your pants until we get home? She’s a Bratva woman. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be waiting on Dimitri hand and foot,’ I snapped.

Vin shrugged his shoulders and pulled out his phone. ‘I would have given her a better time than that wrinkly old man. Just sayin’.’

‘Jesus Christ, Vin,’ I breathed, releasing a frustrated sigh. ‘Just keep your mouth shut until we get out of this building, okay? Who knows if they’ve bugged the damn place.’

The elevator arrived on the main floor and we all stepped out. Two large black SUV’s were parked right out front of the large commercial building, waiting for us. My father, Vin and I took the first one, and our men took the second. Once we all climbed in, the car took off heading for our hotel.

‘So, if Illayana really does get to decide about the marriage, does that mean she gets to pick the groom?’ Vin asked, waggling his eyebrows.

I glowered at him and folded my arms across my chest, staring him down. The image of Illayana and my younger brother together was making my blood boil.

‘What makes you think she would even choose you? She threw a fucking knife at your face!’ I yelled, my anger getting the better of me.

Vin pulled said knife from his pocket and started flipping it around his fingers. My eyes watched, entranced as the blade moved effortlessly around his hand. ‘So? Maybe that’s her version of foreplay,’ he replied, winking at me.

I leaned forward and grasped his wrist, halting his movements. I grabbed the knife and plucked it from his fingertips.

‘Hey!’ he chastised. He extended his arm trying to get the knife back, but I just swatted his hand away. ‘What the fuck, Turo?!’

‘Children. Stop,’ Alessandro said halfheartedly, his eyes glued on his phone in front of him.

We both ignored him.

‘Shut up,’ I snapped at Vin as I held the knife in the air, inspecting it.

It was a small thing, nothing special. The blade was about five inches long and had a black leather hilt. The letters ‘IV‘ were engraved on the side.

‘This is hers,’ I stated, staring at him.

‘Yeah, and? She didn’t try to take it back after she threw it at me. Finders’ keepers,’ he huffed, leaning back in his seat and crossing his arms.

‘What are you, twelve?’ I scolded, shaking my head.

Vin pouted as I tucked the knife into my pocket and straightened my body.

‘So, what now, Father?’ I asked, tuning Vin out.

Alessandro kept his body still, his hand holding his phone in front of him. He flicked his fierce blue eyes my way as he spoke. ‘Now. . . we wait.’