Page 40 of The Bratva Enforcer and His Virgin Bride

“The girl doesn’t know Karl,” I answer firmly. “I spoke to her myself. She genuinely has no idea who he is.”

Mike leans back but still looks unconvinced. “Fine,” he says. “But there has to be some connection between them. Karl wouldn’t insist on this marriage for no reason.”

“Exactly,” I reply. “Which means Sofia is important to this.”

The room quiets slightly again.

“I want her close,” I continue. “If she’s connected to the code in any way, proximity gives us the advantage.”

My brothers exchange glances. Some skeptical. Some thoughtful. Some already irritated on my behalf.

“Look,” I say finally, “if this is handled correctly, nothing goes wrong. It’s a marriage. Once this situation is resolved, we divorce and move on.”

Samuel looks horrified. “You say that like you’re discussing a business merger. Marriage isn’t business.”

“In fairness,” Sebastian mutters, “that’s exactly what he’s doing.”

“What’s the girl saying about all this?” Sebastian asks.

I think briefly about Sofia glaring at me in my penthouse with enough fury to burn the building down.

“She disagrees with the arrangement.”

“As she should,” Samuel mutters.

“I told her it was for protection,” I continue. “It helps that she already has ties to the family.”

That immediately gets everyone’s attention.

Timofey frowns. “What do you mean ‘ties’?”

Their expressions sharpen slightly.

“Who is she?” Konstantin asks.

I deliberately meet Timofey’s eyes when I answer. “Sofia Morozova.”

Recognition slams into his face instantly. Then horror. “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” he breathes.

Samuel looks confused. “You know her?”

Timofey drags a hand over his face. “My wife’s best friend.”

The room explodes immediately.

Konstantin starts laughing again. “Oh, I think I’ve seen her a few times. Blond. Blue eyes.”

I feel a spark of irritation that Konstantin noticed that about her, but I press it down.

Sebastian actually looks entertained now.

Mike swears under his breath.

Samuel points at me accusingly. “You kidnapped Valeria’s best friend?”

“I did not kidnap—”

“You absolutely kidnapped her,” Dimitri interrupts. “There’s no way Sofia would willingly come with you.”