Page 35 of The Bratva Enforcer and His Virgin Bride

“Good,” he says calmly. “Then you already understand that we do not offer marriage lightly.”

“Oh, that’s supposed to comfort me?”

“In our world,” he continues over me, “danger exists everywhere. You’ve clearly been protected by your family for a long time, but that protection is no longer enough.” He takes one slow step closer. “You need more.”

I stare at him in disbelief. “And what’s in it for you?” I demand. “Why would you suddenly want to marry a woman you don’t know because you want to protect her?” My voice sharpens. “I may be naive, but I’m not stupid.”

For the first time since this conversation started, silence stretches between us differently. It frightens me more than anything else tonight.

He walks toward the massive windows overlooking Manhattan and stares out at the city for a moment, hands resting loosely behind his back.

Calm.

Controlled.

Like kidnapping women and proposing forced marriages is somehow part of his normal schedule.

I stay where I am, pulse still uneven beneath my skin.

The silence between us grows heavier.

I don’t interrupt it.

Mostly because I genuinely don’t know what to say anymore.

I know enough about the Rusnaks through Valeria to understand one terrifying thing:

I’m standing inside the world of people far more powerful than me.

And I have absolutely no idea how to survive it.

Finally, he speaks. “I’m entering into a business arrangement with Karl,” he says evenly. “And his only condition was that I protect you by marrying you.” He turns then, those cold gray eyes landing on me again. “And I will do my best to ensure that happens.”

Something inside me snaps.

“I’m not getting married to you,” I say. “Whatever your name is.”

“It’s Lukyan.”

“I don’t care,” I fire back. I turn sharply toward the door. “I’m leaving.”

“You’re not.”

The calmness in his voice stops me harder than shouting would have.

I slowly turn back toward him.

He hasn’t moved.

“We’re getting married,” he says. “And that’s final.”

My mouth opens instantly.

Absolutely not.

No.

Who even talks like that?