Page 84 of Forced Marriage to the Cruel Bratva Pakhan

“My daughter can be annoyed all she wants.” His thumb traces gentle patterns across the fabric of my shirt. “She’s still getting the best security and protection available.”

The casual use of “daughter” makes me smile. We found out the gender two weeks ago, and Pavel has been simultaneously thrilled and terrified ever since. A daughter means all his protective instincts have amplified to almost comical levels.

“She’s going to be spoiled,” I observe.

“She’s going to be safe.” He looks up at me, steel-gray eyes serious. “Given every advantage I can provide.”

“I know.” I run my fingers through his hair, feeling him relax into the touch. “You’re going to be a good father, Pavel.”

“I have no experience with that.” The admission is rare—vulnerability he still struggles to show despite months of building trust. “My own father died when I was nineteen. Everything I learned about leadership came from Bratva training, not family modeling.”

“Then we’ll figure it out together.” I lean forward as much as my pregnant belly allows. “Neither of us had perfect examples, but we have each other. We have the determination to do better than what we experienced.”

He’s quiet for a moment, his hands still resting on my stomach. “I never thought I’d have this. A family. A wife Iactually love instead of just tolerate for strategic purposes. A child on the way.”

“Neither did I.” The honesty comes easily now. “Nine months ago, I was planning my entire life around escaping you. Now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

“Any regrets?” The question is careful, like he’s not sure he wants the answer.

“About us? No.” I cup his face, making sure he sees the sincerity. “About how it started? Sometimes. I wish we’d met differently, that our relationship hadn’t begun with kidnapping and coercion. I don’t regret where we ended up.”

“Good.” He stands, pulling me up with him into an embrace. “I’m never letting you go, Serena. You and our daughter, you’re mine. Permanently.”

The possessive declaration would have terrified me nine months ago. Now it just makes me feel cherished in Pavel’s particular, intense way.

“We’re yours,” I agree, settling against his chest. “Just like you’re ours.”

We stand there for a while, watching snow fall while the fire crackles peacefully. The mansion is quiet around us—staff going about evening duties, guards maintaining perimeter security, everything operating with the smooth efficiency Pavel demands.

Underneath that efficiency is something warmer now. Something that feels like actual home instead of just operational headquarters.

“Mikhail called earlier,” Pavel says eventually. “Adriana finally agreed to have dinner with him.”

I pull back to look at him. “Your brother and my friend? That’s… unexpected.”

“He’s been pursuing her since the gala where you first met.” A slight smile tugs at Pavel’s mouth. “Apparently her refusal to be impressed by his wealth or position intrigued him. He likes that she challenges him.”

“Runs in the family, apparently.” I think about Adriana—brilliant, independent, absolutely not the type to be intimidated by Bratva connections. “She’ll be good for him. If she actually gives him a chance.”

“She will.” Pavel’s confidence is absolute. “Mikhail is patient and strategic. He’ll wear down her resistance the same way I wore down yours.”

“You didn’t wear down my resistance. You forced me into marriage and then—” I stop, realizing what I’m about to say.

“Then?” he prompts, clearly amused.

“Then you made me fall in love with you through sheer persistence and occasional moments of vulnerability.” I shake my head at the absurdity. “I’m still not sure how that happened.”

“I’m very persuasive.” His hands slide to my hips, pulling me closer. “You’re very stubborn. Together we make something that works despite all logic suggesting it shouldn’t.”

“Poetic.” I’m smiling. “Who knew Pavel Rudenko had romantic tendencies buried under all that tactical calculation?”

“Only for you.” His mouth finds my throat, pressing kisses along my pulse point. “Everyone else gets the cold, strategic leader. You get the man underneath who would burn the entire world down to keep you safe.”

“I remember.” I tilt my head to give him better access. “You’ve mentioned the world-burning thing several times. I’m starting to think you mean it.”

“I absolutely mean it.” He pulls back to look at me seriously. “You and our daughter are my entire world now,Serena. Everything else—the organization, the power, the control I’ve spent years building—it all exists to protect you two.”

The declaration makes my chest tighten with emotion. “That’s uh…”