Ruthless Mafia King: A Dark Bratva Arranged Marriage Romance
Ruthless Mafia King: Chapter 27

Even before I fully wake up, I know that something’s different.

The warm, bright rays of the sun caress my skin, reminding me that I’m not in my windowless cell anymore.

I rub my eyes and snuggle against the man next to me, hoping that his body heat will ease my sore muscles.

“Good morning, serdtse,” Nikolai mutters, his words jumbled and low.

I pull my head back, propping myself up on my elbow.

“Good morning,” I reply, allowing my smile to slowly widen.

Nikolai’s gaze meets mine. He smirks, but it’s fleeting, his brows quickly creasing when he notices the flashing phone behind me.

“Who’s calling now?” he wonders and reaches over me to grab it.

I lie on my back and study him as he picks up.

“Volkov,” he barks into the phone, his voice different from the one he uses with me.

When his brows furrow even more, I make a move to get out of bed. Nikolai notices the shift on the bed and stops me. He gives me a reassuring nod and gestures for me to stay.

Whatever he’s talking about, it isn’t a pleasant topic.

“Schedule a video call with the investors first thing in the morning, Roman,” he demands harshly. “We can’t let them pull out. Not now when we’re already under attack.”

Pulling out from what? Attack? Is he talking about his trip to Russia?

Nikolai continues the conversation for another minute before hanging up. When he turns to me, there’s a slight tension on his face.

“Everything okay?” I ask, lifting my eyebrows.

“What does it look like?”

“Like you’re losing business,” I say. “What attack were you referring to? Are we in danger?”

“I don’t think so,” he replies, scratching his chin in thought. “I’m sure you’ve been told about the assassination attempt on me.”

I nod, seeing no point in trying to pretend otherwise.

“That matter has been settled by having you by my side,” he assures me. “Speaking of, after our talk yesterday, I want you to know that I understand you’re not the only one who needs to take a leap of faith. So, I’m going to do it first.”

“Do what?” I ask with a frown.

“I’m not going to lock you up anymore,” he tells me. “You’ll be able to roam the house. In fact, you’re free to leave, Kata. Though my life is in your hands, I won’t stop you. But I’m hoping you’ll stay. As my girlfriend. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

It takes a moment to register.

“Are you serious?” I scramble to sit up, ignoring the fact that I’m naked and covered by only a sheet.

“I am, serdtse,” he says. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, things that I’m not proud of. But I never planned for this. I don’t want a sex slave. I want a wife who will support me. I want a partner who’ll stand by my side even when things get hard. I’m not sure what I feel about you yet, because most of the time, you seriously piss me off, but if there’s a chance for me to find love again, I think it could be with you.”

I stare at him for a moment longer, still unsure if I’m hearing him right.

“Treat me well, and I’ll consider staying for a while longer,” I say slowly. “And I want my phone back. I want to call my friend.”

“Is that all?”

“For now, that’s all I’ve got,” I inform him, and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. “Do I have your word, Nik?”

“You do, serdtse,” he assures me. “Do you have anything else to say about the other part of my speech?”

I turn toward him and press my lips against his. “Nothing concrete except that I really enjoy riding your big dick.”

Nikolai tilts his head back and laughs. It’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard, and it makes my heart swell to know that I’m responsible for it.

“You’re something else, you know that?” he muses, and tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

“I know.” I rise to my feet.

As much as I’d love to stay in bed with him the entire morning, I’m starving. I need a good, proper meal in me, or I won’t be able to function. Not to mention the wine we consumed.

“Leaving already?” Nikolai asks, getting up after me.

“Only to the kitchen.” I grin. “I’m hungry.”

“You should put something on,” he says quickly, and jumps out of bed before I can open the door. “The house is full of people. I wouldn’t want them to lose their eyes because you couldn’t be bothered to put on a shirt.”

I grin again. “Why? Are you planning to follow me around and fend off any wolf that looks my way?”

“Damn right, I will,” he growls.

It’s a statement I take to heart, just as much as him agreeing to let me go. His actions do make me feel like we are real partners. Lovers. I’m not so sure I can trust him just yet, but it seems he’s willing to work toward that.

“Let me grab you some clothes from downstairs,” he suggests. “I won’t be but a minute.”

He presses a quick kiss against my lips and walks out of the room, only a pair of boxers hiding his long cock. It makes me forget my own name for a second before I snap out of it and go into his ensuite bathroom.

I wash my face and pull my hair back in a bun, then look for a new toothbrush. When I can’t find one, I decide to use Nikolai’s. It’s his fault that he didn’t plan ahead.

It takes me a few minutes to get dressed in my clothes from the previous night, and as I open the door to the bedroom again, the delicious smell of eggs and bacon wafts through the air.

“I thought you went to get me my clothes, big guy,” I say as I come upon his broad back. His back muscles shift and flex when he moves his arm. It’s almost hypnotizing.

“I figured something else out,” he replies, adding more salt to his eggs. “I wanted to keep you for myself a while longer before I take you out and introduce you to everybody.”

I huff. “What a charmer. Let me eat, and then you can show me how generous you’ve been.”

His gray gaze scans me as he lifts the small plate of food to my eyes.

I’m so starved and sleepy that I grab it from him and take a large bite of the omelet. Damn, that’s good. It’s perfectly seasoned and cooked, with crunchy bacon and no soggy bits.

“Please tell me you have a cup of coffee somewhere on that tray,” I plead.

Nikolai lifts a mug and offers it to me. Gratefully, I take the warm beverage to my lips and revel in its bitter taste.

“You seem distracted,” Nikolai comments after a beat.

“Are you kidding?” I grin, stuffing my mouth with food. “After having sex with someone, I’m usually either slipping out of the room before they wake up, or they disappear on me before I realize they were in my bed in the first place. This is an entirely new experience.”

Nikolai’s face darkens. “I’m sure you mean well, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention guys from your past. From now on, no one else exists. You’re mine.”

The sentiment shouldn’t warm my heart, but it does. I feel as if his words are starting to have real weight. Those casual flings are something long gone, something I don’t remember anymore because I’m full of Nikolai Volkov.

“You’re right,” I reply after a long pause. “I don’t think I’d like to hear about your past girlfriends either.”

“They’re forgotten,” he assures me. “Same as you’re mine, I’m also yours. It goes both ways, serdtse.”

The smile he offers is contagious. Perhaps I feel happier than ever before, and he’s responsible for it.

“That sounds fair,” I say, nodding my head.

He points at my plate. “Eat up. You need to regain your strength if you’re to keep up with me.”

I shake my head in amusement.

I’ve no idea how Nikolai and I have come to this, but I won’t second guess it. I’m enjoying his company and the attention he’s giving me. It’s better I do myself a favor and stop denying it.

My mind’s made up. For the foreseeable future, I plan on staying in Nikolai Volkov’s house.

I’m officially and willingly taking on the role of his fiancée.