Bratva Bride (Bratva Series Book 1)

If you had of told me this morning that I would be ending the evening straddling Arturo’s chest with a knife to his throat, I would have said you were fucking crazy. Yet here I am. Knife in hand, legs on either side of his body, staring into those entrancing blue-green eyes.

His stupid handsome face looked just as appealing as I remember. Just staring at him made my body heat with lust and attraction. His gorgeous mouth curled up with an expression that looked like half a smile, half a challenge. I didn’t like that cocky look on his face, even if he did look hot as fuck.

I dug my knife a little further into his throat, a faint trickle of blood starting to drip down his neck.

He arched one of those perfect eyebrows (I don’t even know how someone can have perfect eyebrows, but he fucking does) and that cocky expression stayed plastered on his face. It was like he was enjoying this.

‘What the fuck are you doing here?’ I hissed.

‘Isn’t it obvious Kotenok?” Kitten, he chuckled, those gorgeous eyes of his staring me down. ‘I’m here for you.’

I tried to ignore the tingle that ran through my body at his words but who was I kidding? I fucking liked it.

The sound of footsteps came from just outside my bedroom door and I tensed.

Arturo’s eyes flicked to the door and he stiffened.

Fuck.

If my brothers walked in with me straddling Arturo with a fucking knife to his throat, they wouldn’t react very well. No. Not well at all.

A soft knock followed by my brother’s voice filled the space of my bedroom.

‘Sestra?Sister? Are you alright? We heard some banging,’ Lukyan asked.

Goddamn it!

Must have been when I slammed him into the ground.

‘I’m fine!’ I yelled back. My eyes darted down to the sexy male beneath me and he winked at me, mouthing “yes, you are.”

Bastard.

I snapped my head back towards the door as it began to slowly open. I tightened my grip on my knife and flung it forward with as much speed as I could. It embedded deep into the doorframe, straight down to the hilt just as Lukyan’s head appeared.

‘Jesus fucking Christ!’ he shrieked as he pulled his head back and slammed the door shut again.

‘I told you, I’m fine!’ I yelled back.

Arturo’s big, muscular body started shaking beneath me and I looked down to see him laughing silently.

‘Fucking hell,’ I heard Lukyan mutter behind the door. ‘Is it that time of the month or something?’

I ran my hand down my face, groaning. Of course he’d say some stupid shit like that. My second time meeting Arturo and he’s already hearing all about my period. Fucking joy.

‘Don’t be an idiot,’ I heard Nikolai reply. Great! They’re both fucking out there. ‘You know we monitor that shit.’ They fucking what?! ‘Calendar says it’s still two and a half weeks away.”

‘Right. Right.’ I can just imagine Lukyan nodding along. ‘I forgot that we started doing that after she tried to burn me with that blowtorch. Damn Shark Week,’ he grumbled.

Oh my god, I’m gonna kill them. I’m going to fucking kill them. They track my menstrual cycle?!

Arturo laughed outright and I clamped my hand over his mouth, narrowing my eyes in warning.

‘Go the fuck away!’ I roared.

‘Are you sure she’s not on her period? She sounds pretty fucking hormonal to me,’ Lukyan asked Nikolai.

That’s fucking it!

I wrapped my fingers around the handle of my gun and pulled it from the holster. I pointed it at the door, making sure to aim high enough so I wouldn’t hit them and fired two shots.

‘Fuck!’ One of them yelled, not sure which, and then the sound of their big bodies dropping to the floor followed next.

‘I told you I’m fine!’ I growled. ‘Now fuck off before I fire again. This time I won’t miss!’

‘She’s fucking mental!’ Lukyan yelled.

‘What Volkov isn’t?’ Nikolai replied, the sound of his voice fading until the only thing I could hear was Arturo’s breathing and my heart beating.

My body relaxed as soon as I realised they had left.

Seriously, what else is this fucking day gonna throw at me?

I rose to my feet, ignoring Arturo’s heated gaze as I stepped over him and sat on my bed. I leaned over to my bedside table and flicked the lamp on, then I started undoing the straps on my heels, desperate to get out of them and relax my feet.

Arturo picked his big body off the floor and stood gracefully. He lowered his head and looked at his left foot and that’s when I remembered I stabbed him with my heel. I should have felt bad, but I didn’t. The fucker broke into my house, he deserved it.

“How did you get in here?’ I asked, dropping my heels to the ground. His only response was to look at the large window in my room.

My eyes followed his gaze and I shook my head. ‘Bullshit. That’s a three-story drop.’

He arched an eyebrow, that sexy mouth of his curling up in a sly smile. ‘You wanted an answer to your question, I gave you one. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.’

I forgot how damn sexy his deep voice was.

‘And what about my other question?’

‘What question was that, kotenok?’ I swear I could hear a hint of seduction in his voice.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’

‘Ah,’ he chuckled. ‘But I did answer that question already. I told you, I’m here for you,’ he pinned me with his gaze and the intensity of it sent shivers down my spine.

Just his mere presence made my body tingle and my stomach flutter. What the fuck was this man doing to me?! I’ve been around plenty of hot guys, and none of them made me feel like some giddy school kid talking to their crush.

I stood up, not liking the fact he was looming over me. He was still a good few feet taller than me even standing, but at least this way it wasn’t as bad.

I didn’t realise the first time I met him how broad and wide his shoulders were. How his hips narrow, showing that he wasn’t just muscular but lean as well. He was still wearing the same suit from this morning, and I could see the faint traces of his tattoos just under the collar of his shirt. It took every bit of willpower I possessed not to reach out and trace them with my fingers.

‘What does that mean? That you’re here for me?’

He answered my question with another question. ‘Have you thought about my proposal?’

‘You mean, your father’s proposal?’ I asked, arching an eyebrow.

Arturo shook his head, chuckling. He slowly started circling me, similar to how my father circled Maxim. Like I was prey. Fuck, I felt like prey right then. I stayed rooted in place, refusing to show any sign of discomfort, following him with my eyes.

‘My father may have put the proposal forward, but it is my proposal nonetheless.’ His beautiful heterochromia eyes were roaming up and down my body as he continued to circle me. I couldn’t ignore the desire burning from within them, or the way his heated gaze made my blood boil with excitement. ‘Have you?’ he whispered, and this time I knew for sure there was seduction lacing his voice.

‘I have,’ I replied, keeping track of him. ‘Have you?’

He froze, his face twisted in confusion. ‘Of course I have, it is my proposal after all.’

This time, it was my turn to chuckle. I moved forward, circling him like he did me. He stayed still, watching me as my eyes roamed over every inch of his body.

Fuck, I wanna climb that like a jungle gym.

‘I don’t think you have. You see, I won’t be the type of wife you want.’

‘Oh?’ he arched one of those perfect eyebrows. ‘And how do you know what type of wife I want?’

I continued to circle him, secretly loving the fact he stayed completely still, allowing me to peruse him as much as I wanted.

‘You want what every Made Man wants. A woman who worships the ground you walk on. A woman who will do what you say, when you say it. A woman who won’t argue with you, who will be content waiting at home day in and day out for you,’ I stopped dead in front of him, letting him process my words. I leaned in slightly and whispered, ‘That’s not me.’

His eyes roamed over my face, pausing slightly at my mouth before going back up and meeting my gaze. ‘I know,’ he whispered back. ‘And I’m not like every Made Man. I know exactly who you are, exactly what you’re capable of, and it only makes me want you more.’

He took a step forward, his body almost pressed up against mine. I had to work hard to control my breathing. I could feel my heart beating erratically in my chest and I prayed he couldn’t hear it, couldn’t feel it.

He raised his hand slowly and wrapped his fingers around my throat, squeezing slightly, making heat curl down my spine. Want and need blazed inside me, right through me down to my core.

‘I don’t want a docile woman, a weak woman. I want a Queen. A woman to help me conquer and rule. A woman who will stand by my side, not cower behind me.”

My eyes moved down to his mouth and I involuntarily licked my lips. For a split second, I forgot what we were talking about and imagined what it would be like to kiss him. To taste him. I bet he’d taste fucking amazing.

‘And how do you know I’m that woman?’ I whispered, my voice a bit huskier than I would have liked.

Staying close, he studied me for a few moments before reaching into his suit jacket and pulling out a knife. He held it up in the air and as I watched the blade shine from the light in the room, I saw the letters IV engraved into it.

My knife!

I reached forward to take it but he pulled his hand back out of my reach. With one final squeeze to my throat, he released his hold and stepped back. I missed his touch instantly.

‘I’ve never seen a woman, a beautiful woman at that, throw a knife with such precision.’

I was listening to him but my eyes were on my blade. It was one of my favourites and I can’t believe I forgot it! My father gave it to me the day he made me a made woman.

‘I knew from that moment that you were the one I’ve been looking for,’ he smirked.

I frowned. ‘So, you’re telling me all it took was for me to throw a knife at your brother for you to decide to spend the rest of your life with me?’ I hoped he could hear the scepticism in my voice. ‘Any woman in the Bratva could do that.’

He tsked and placed my knife back inside his suit jacket.

Uh, excuse me. I want that back.

Now that he wasn’t so close to me, I felt like I could finally breathe again.

‘No, kotenok, that’s not all it took. There are many things about you that helped sway my decision.’

‘Oh yeah? Like what?’

‘I never pegged you as the type of woman who fished for compliments.’

I scowled, narrowing my eyes. ‘I’m not! I just don’t think you’ve thought this through.’

He sighed. ‘Think what you will woman, but I’ve thought it through plenty.’

I studied his face, looking for any sign of deceit, but I couldn’t see any.

‘I won’t be an easy wife, you know. I’ll probably drive you mad,’ I said, shrugging my shoulders. ‘I hate being told what to do and I despise being underestimated. I know La Cosa Nostra are not used to women being in the life and I can guarantee you, your men won’t like me around.’

‘I don’t give a fuck what any of them think,’ Arturo stated with complete conviction.

‘Nevertheless, I won’t tolerate it. I will not be disrespected. Should any of your men do so, I hope you’re prepared to lose them.’

His eyes lit with fire, desire and lust rolling off him in waves. He clearly liked his women vengeful. ‘If any of my men disrespect you, there’ll be nothing left of them by the time I’m finished.’

‘And the fact I’m not Italian?’ I arched an eyebrow. ‘Will that not be a problem?’

‘To some it may. But like I said, I don’t give a fuck what they think.’

I studied him for a few seconds before giving him a slight nod. I believed him. He didn’t strike me as the type of person to care about what other people think.

‘There is one thing you should probably know before you agree,’ Arturo said hesitantly.

I locked eyes with him, curiosity flowing throughout my body. ‘What?’

‘My father will be stepping down as head of the La Cosa Nostra as soon as we’ve dealt with Nero.”

Okaaaaaaay. That I had not expected. Alessandro was still young by mafia standards. He could continue to rule for at least another five to ten years before needing to step down. So why hand over the reins early?

‘Why?’ It was the only question I could ask.

‘My father has ruled for a long time. He was only twenty-nine when my grandfather was murdered and he was made Don. He’s ready to let go of his empire. Ready to move on in life with my mother.’ A sad smile formed on his face, like he was happy for his parents but sad to be losing his Don. ‘I’m ready to take over, it’s what I’ve been raised for. What I’ve been training all my life for. However, one of his stipulations was that I was to be married beforehand. Don’t ask me why, I have no fucking idea. It was just one of his rules.”

Hang on a second.

My brain started working overtime, trying to find the right combination of words to express what was flying through my mind.

‘Requesting a marriage between our families was an impulse decision, made by you. I saw when you spoke to Alessandro and then he put forth the proposal.’

‘Yes?’ he asked, confused by my train of thought.

‘So, if he was already planning to step down when this whole mess ended, you must have had a woman lined up to marry.’ I phrased it as a statement, but he answered like it was a question.

‘Yes,’ he sighed. ‘There was a woman I was prepared to marry instead.”

I couldn’t help the unbelievable jealousy I felt at his words. Fuck, I only met the dude today. I knew I had no right at all to be jealous but fuck I was.

“Who?” I asked, making sure to keep the jealousy out of my voice.

‘Her name is Gabriella. She’s the daughter of one of the high-ranking men in the famiglia.”

Eh, Gabriella. Bet the bitch is fucking gorgeous.

‘So, she’s a Cosa Nostra woman? Does that mean there’s gonna be people pissed that you’re marrying an outsider instead of her?’

Arturo shrugged. ‘There’s always going to be someone who’s mad about that. They’ll get over it.’

Maybe. But I highly doubt it. Depending on their level of anger, it could mean I’ve already gained enemies in a place where I would spend the rest of my life. Did I really want to move somewhere where I’d constantly be looking over my shoulder?

Another thought tore through my mind and I stiffened. “What kind of marriage will this be? A business one or a personal one?”

“What do you mean?”

“A business one means we’re husband and wife on paper, but not in real life. A personal one means that in every sense of the word, we’re husband and wife. That means loyalty, fidelity. I know Mafia men have the predilection to do whatever the fuck they like, including cheating on their partners. I won’t take that. You marry me and you’re mine. You don’t go sticking your dick in other bitches.”

He chuckled and tapped my nose. “So, just this bitch?”

“Yes.”

I should probably be insulted that he called me bitch, but I wasn’t. I am a bitch. And proud of it.

“If I’m getting what I need from you, I don’t see why I’d need to get it somewhere else too.”

“And by getting what you need you mean?”

He cupped my pussy roughly and I gasped in shock.

Jesus fucking Christ.

“This. This is what I need. I am a red-blooded man, Illayana. I need sex. If this is going to be a proper marriage, one where we stay faithful to one another, are you going to give me what I want, when I want it?”

“That depends.”

He ground the palm of his hand against my clit and I moaned. He stepped close, his breath hot on my skin as he nuzzled my neck. “Depends on what?” he breathed.

“How good you are at it.”

He chuckled again and ran his tongue up the side of my neck, capturing my earlobe in his mouth. He tugged slightly with his teeth and I shuddered. “I don’t think that will be an issue, kotenok.”

Why did he keep calling me kitten?

“From the goosebumps on your skin, the flush in your cheeks, the way your breathing has increased, I’d say you’d agree, wouldn’t you?” His free hand travelled up my body and collared my throat again, unleashing another moan from my lips. He chuckled. “Oh yes, you definitely agree.”

Yeah, I sure fucking did.

My body begged for his touch, passion heating my blood and making me so fucking hot I just wanted to tear his clothes off right now and fuck him on my bedroom floor. I felt dizzy, lust consuming my entire soul as my heart hammered in my chest. I could feel the bulge in his pants, his cock hard as stone against my leg. I wanted nothing more than to grab it, feel it throb in my hand, to play with it and hear him moan. There’s nothing sexier than a man moaning in pleasure.

With one final tug on my earlobe, he released me, pulling away from my body. I missed the contact instantly. ‘So, will you be my wife?’ he asked seductively, his eyes filled with desire.

I looked at the man in front of me. Really looked. His unbelievably good looks and his fun and mischievous personality would make it sooooo easy to be his wife. I mean, I’d be fucking crazy to say no right? By the way my body was buzzing I knew we were sexually compatible, at least on my side. Not only that, but the realisation that I would be married to the head of The Cosa Nostra had my blood bubbling with excitement.

I locked my eyes with his, a similar smirk to his forming on my face. I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, watching as his eyes followed my movements, burning with lust.

His nostrils flared and his jaw clenched. Like he was fighting a war within himself to not move.

‘I hope you’re as badass as they say. You’ll need to be to handle me.’