Page 16 of Forced plus-size Bride of the Bratva

“You want Logan to live,” he says. “Then you’ll marry me.”

I stare at him, tears clinging to my lashes, heart breaking and burning at the same time.

“Your tears won’t change my mind,kroshka.Sorry, I’m not that kind of man. I’m selfish and greedy. I want what I want, when I want it.”

I look up at him, blood burning, voice shaking. “I just…I just need time to think—”

He laughs.

Not a chuckle. Not a breath of amusement.

A full, sharp, dark laugh that slices through the air like a blade.

“Think?” he echoes, cocking his head. “You think you have time?”

I go still.

He steps closer, just one step, but it’s enough to send fresh panic racing through my chest.

“Your brother has lived long enough for a traitor,” he says, calmly. Too calmly. “Anyone else who stole from us? Dead on the spot. No negotiations. No mercy.”

He leans forward, voice low.

“Logan is only breathing because of you. Because I wanted you. You are the only reason he’s not already in a grave.”

I clutch my arms to my chest, heart thundering, lips trembling.

“And if I walk out that door without you tonight…” he continues, his voice dropping to a near-whisper, “Logan becomes a message. A very loud, very painful message.”

“No,” I whisper, horrified.

He just shrugs, like he’s discussing the weather.

“Because you said no to me,” he adds. “And I don’t take rejection well,kroshka.”

I gasp, taking a shaky step back. “You’re evil. I hate you.”

His eyes flash with something wicked—delight, hunger, maybe both.

He grins, all sharp teeth and slow menace.

“Tick tock,moya obsessiya.” His voice is like gravel, like velvet soaked in gasoline. “Will you marry me?”

My breath almost stops. I can’t do this. I really can’t.

I want to call someone.

Zoe. Maria. Anyone.

I want to scream and tell them that one of their deranged family members is in my apartment, standing there like he owns the place—and maybe worse, like he owns me.

But he’s watching me.

Not blinking. Not moving.

And I know what that look means. He wants an answer. Now.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to breathe, but the tears just keep coming. My heart is thudding so loud it drowns out everything.