Page 9 of Forced & Pregnant Bratva Bride (Tarasov Bratva #13)

I didn’t think the pressure to get married would be so overwhelming, especially because I was in control of my life. It was my life, my future, and my destiny. No one else’s. It was up to me to decide when I’d marry and who I’d marry.

Right now, I just wasn’t thinking about marriage yet. There was still a lot to be done, plus, I hadn’t found a woman who was worthy enough to share my name. Maybe she was out there; I simply hadn’t found her yet.

Why the fuckin’ rush anyway? Why were the elders so keen on dictating my life? They knew what good I’d done for the Bratva cause; they were aware of all my accomplishments. However, they chose to focus on the one area where I seemed to be slacking.

How convenient!

Today, I had a meeting with the elders, and according to Simon, two of them had already arrived. Hector and Romanoff. Hector had always been a pain in my ass; that silver-haired old man loved to get on my nerves.

Rumor had it that he planned on making a motion against me should I insist on not sticking to the tradition. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye, Hector and I—we never got along because neither of us would let the other win in an argument. He didn’t like to lose, and neither did I.

Quite frankly, I wasn’t shocked that he’d raise the motion to discredit me. He’d do anything to make me look bad because everything was a competition to the old man.

According to Simon, Hector was just jealous of my achievements and how high up the ranks I had risen. When he was my age, Hector didn’t make a name for himself; he didn’t accomplish half the things that I have. So, he was envious, jealous, and would join anyone who stood against me.

It was laughable how far this old man was willing to go just to tarnish my image. He was no threat to me at all, even though I couldn’t say the same for him. His envy was nothing short of ridiculous, and by now, I was already used to his foolishness.

Nothing would bring him more joy than to see the council of elders turn against me. I couldn’t care less about that if I were being honest. But then again, I had to do something to get these men off my back. They were starting to question my loyalty, my legitimacy, and I couldn’t have that.

I was still in control of the situation, and I had to act fast. Pressure was unnecessary, and I hated doing something just because I was told to.

I called the shots; I gave the orders—not the other way around.

Some called it pride. Others called it arrogance and sheer disobedience. But I didn’t give two shits.

No one was going to control me. No one was going to rush me into making a decision as serious as marriage. I’d settle down when I was ready and with whom I chose.

Then, in a heartbeat, my mind drifted to the stubborn redhead—the sharp-eyed girl who fought even when she’d already lost. A small grin played on the corners of my lips as I let myself sink into the thoughts of her.

I stood at the end of the hallway, a hand in my pocket, calm, composed—calculating. Behind me, the estate’s high windows cast long shadows across the floor like prison bars made of light. The chandelier above glittered like teeth.

The sound of polished shoes clicking against fine marble echoed through the grand hallway as the elder arrived.

“What will you tell them?” Simon asked, materializing beside me like a ghost. “They expect answers today.”

Without turning to look at him, I answered, eyes fixed on the approaching men in front, “And answers they will get.”

My response was as vague as they came, but Simon didn’t press further—he’d learned to trust me. No questions asked.

“I hope you’re ready for us, Tarasov,” Hector said, rounding a corner from my right, his silver streaks catching in the lights.

Romanoff followed behind him, quiet and observant as always.

“Hector,” I said, my voice dry and laced with sarcasm. “Pleasure to see you, too.”

He halted me, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You know me—always eager for a productive meeting.”

I let out a soft scoff. “So eager, in fact, that you arrived an hour before the others.” A faint smirk lined the corner of my lips. “Couldn’t wait, could you?”

He heaved a sigh, adjusting his flashy red tie. “Well, you can’t blame a man for taking in the scenery.” His eyes roamed the hallway. “Quite the estate you’ve built for yourself.”

“I trust everything met your…expectations,” I said, folding my hands behind my back.

His plastic smile thinned. “You have taste, I’ll give you that.”

I didn’t respond; my attention was drawn to Leona being escorted back to her room by the two guards I assigned to her. She wore a simple flare gown with a hem that kissed her thighs, her bare feet soundless against the marble floor.

She looked at me while in motion, her expression flat and unreadable.

Just then, the elders halted in front of me—old men wrapped in wool and silk, their eyes sharp despite their years. They came like vultures cloaked as kings, dressed in formal arrogance.

“Gentlemen,” I greeted them with wide open arms. “Welcome.”

“Skip the pleasantries, Egor,” said Vladislav, the oldest of them all, his gray hair styled to perfection. “We need to talk.”

“And we will talk,” I answered, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. “But first, allow me to introduce you to my fiancée,” I announced, voice loud enough to carry, sharp enough to silence even the whispers. “Meet Leona.” My hand toward her.

She froze in her tracks, eyes slightly wide with shock.

Simon was just as confused as she was, and I could feel the intensity of his gaze. The two guards with her stood sentinel, their expressions unreadable even though they were bewildered by the announcement.

Her breath hitched, her eyes pinned on me, anger and confusion simmering beneath the surface. She was lost—speechless.

“Well, don’t just stand there,” I beckoned her. “Come over.”

The look in Hector’s eyes was priceless, and I was satisfied by the disappointment flickering in his gaze. His face contorted into a frown, his jaw locked in embarrassment. He stole a glance at Romanoff, but neither of them said a word.

Leona walked up to me, stiffening her body the moment I wrapped my arm around her waist. It was clear that she was repulsed by my touch. But I didn’t care, so long as she managed to fool these men for now.

Her jaw clenched for a moment as if taking a second to process the situation—to brace herself for whatever came next. She mustered a smile, faked a docile look, and bowed her head slightly.

The elders studied her like she was a piece of livestock—checking her posture, her appearance, her expression. Their silence stretched long as they looked at one another, a glint of satisfaction and relief dancing in their eyes.

Except for Hector, of course—the old man had suspicion all over his face. It was almost like he could sense the awkwardness between Leona and me. He suspected something was off, but there was nothing solid to hold on to.

Leona was terrible at pretending. That was okay; it could be easily fixed. The story could be that she was a shy person, always got nervous around powerful men, and everyone here reeked of power and influence.

Vladislav cleared his throat, shifting his gaze from Leona to me. “You’ve got eyes, son,” he said, a hint of admiration creeping into his tone.

I nodded, flashing him a faint smirk.

“I’m interested in hearing your plans for the wedding,” he said, burying a hand in his pocket.

“Of course,” I answered, already cooking up the best way to back up my claims.

Her glare at me was subtle, but I could still feel it—sharp, intense.

I continued, “My lieutenant will accompany you to my office. I’ll join you shortly. Simon,” I called, turning to face him. “Make sure they’re comfortable and well entertained.”

He nodded and politely led them away.

Leona beamed her plastic smile at them as we stood in the hallway, my arm still around her waist. We watched them walk away, their polished shoes clicking against the marble. The moment they rounded a corner—disappearing out of sight—she slapped my hand off, immediately switching to beast mode.

It was satisfying to watch. Almost laughable.

She glared at me, her brows furrowed deeply across her forehead. Her fiery eyes burned with rage, her jaw clenched. “What the hell was that?” she snapped, pushing against my chest.

Her rage was rather amusing, and I couldn’t help the smirk on my lips. “Strategy,” I answered.

“Strategy? Are you kidding me?!” She pushed her head back in disbelief. “I don’t know what’s going on with you and your—” She gestured in the direction of the elders, as if groping for the right word. “Whoever they are. But leave me the hell out of it!”

“Can’t do that, princess,” I said, my voice calm and gentle. “You belong to me now, remember?”

Her scowl deepened, expression dark as if she had a gun right now, she wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on me. I loved watching her lose control—it was always fun to watch the lioness break free. There was so much potential to be unlocked in her, so much to be unraveled.

And that was one of the reasons I made the last-minute decision to make her my bride.

Leona was the perfect sacrifice.

“The elders wanted me to find a wife. Well, now I have,” I said, staring into those green eyes flickering with hate and defiance. “You, Leona, will be my wife in every sense of the word. You will play the part and do as you’re told.”

She clenched her jaw, her chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. Fury etched her gaze, her cheeks crimson red. She burned with hate, her fingers curling into fists on her sides.

“And make no mistake,” I added, “if you screw this up, there will be consequences.” My eyes darted across her body, noticing her curves and perky breasts. I met her gaze again. “Your father learned the hard way. Be smarter.”

And with that, I turned to walk away, leaving her to her anger and confusion.

Her gaze lingered on me. Hateful. Spiteful.

And that made her perfect.

She should consider herself lucky; thousands of women out there would kill to be given the opportunity I just handed to her.

Let her wear the title—be something more than just an ordinary girl for once in her life. Let her stand beside me while I kept my power and my influence untouched. No family obligations. No ties. Just a mask she’d wear for them.

Leona was useful now, unlike the common girl she had been when she arrived here as a prisoner.

I’d given a gift, one she could make the most of if she utilized it well.

She was about to take on my last name. And in this world, that would make her powerful.

Whether she wanted it or not.