Accidental Bratva Daddy (Bratva Blessings)

Chapter 6Natalia

6

Natalia

M y heart pounds against my ribcage as I stare into Luka's steel-blue eyes. His body presses me against the cold concrete wall, his grip firm but not painful. The heat radiating from him is intoxicating, a stark contrast to the chill of the basement room that's become my prison.

"Are you going to behave now?" Luka asks, his voice low and rough.

I want to spit in his face, to claw at him until he bleeds. But the memory of his earlier words echoes in my mind. A mistake. My father's death was a mistake. The thought makes me dizzy with a confusing mix of relief and renewed anger.

I roll my eyes, forcing nonchalance I don't feel. "I'll behave," I say, my voice steadier than I expected. "If you answer some questions for me."

Luka studies me for a long moment, his gaze so intense I feel like he can see right through me. Finally, he nods and releases his hold, taking a step back. The sudden absence of his warmth leaves me feeling oddly bereft.

"Ask your questions," he says, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

I take a deep breath, trying to organize the chaos in my mind. "You're not just a businessman, are you?" It's not really a question. I know the answer, but I need to hear him say it.

"No," Luka replies, his expression unreadable. "I'm the leader of the Volkov Syndicate."

The words hang in the air between us, heavy with implication. I knew, of course. I'd pieced it together from the fragments of conversation I'd overheard, from the way his men defer to him. But hearing him say it out loud makes it real in a way it wasn't before.

"A crime syndicate," I clarify, needing to hear the full truth.

Luka doesn't flinch. "Yes."

The confirmation sends a shiver down my spine. This man, this dangerous, powerful man, is the same one who held me so tenderly that night in my hotel room. The same one who made me feel things I'd never felt before. The same one who killed my father.

"Why?" I demand, unable to keep the fury from my voice. "Why did you do it? Why did you kill my father?"

Luka's jaw tightens, a muscle ticking in his cheek. "I told you, it was a mistake. The hit was meant for your uncle, Viktor."

"But why?" I press, taking a step towards him. "What could my uncle have possibly done to warrant a death sentence?"

Luka runs a hand through his hair, a gesture so human it catches me off guard. "Your uncle isn't who you think he is, Natalia. He's Kirill Baranov, the head of a rival organization. He's been using your family as a shield for years."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I stumble back, my legs suddenly weak. Luka reaches out to steady me, but I flinch away from his touch.

"No," I whisper, shaking my head. "That's not possible. Uncle Viktor... he's just a businessman. He can't be..."

"I'm sorry," Luka says, and to my surprise, he actually sounds sincere. "I know it's a lot to take in. But it's the truth."

My mind races, memories flashing before my eyes. All those hushed conversations, the whispered rumors about my family's connections to the underworld. I'd always dismissed them, convinced they were nothing but malicious gossip. But now...

"My father," I say, my voice barely audible. "You said he had ties to your organization. What kind of ties?"

Luka hesitates, and I can see him weighing how much to reveal. "It was a mutually beneficial arrangement," he says finally. "Your father provided connections in the political world, and in exchange, I offered protection for your family."

"Protection from who?" I ask, though I think I already know the answer.

"I can't say more," Luka replies, his expression apologetic but firm. "That's as much as I can tell you for now."

Anger bubbles up inside me, hot and volatile. Anger at Luka for taking my father's life, even if it was unintentional. Anger at my father for keeping such monumental secrets. Anger at myself for being so blind to the truth for so long.

"So what happens now?" I ask, hating how small and uncertain my voice sounds. "Are you going to kill me too?"

Luka's eyes widen, genuine shock flashing across his face. "No," he says vehemently. "Never. I told you, Natalia, you're under my protection now."

"For how long?" I challenge. "Until I outlive my usefulness? Until I become a liability?"

Something dark and possessive flashes in Luka's eyes. He takes a step closer, closing the distance between us once more. "You will never be a liability to me," he says, his voice low and intense. "Do you understand?"

I should be terrified. This man is dangerous, a killer, a criminal. But instead, I feel a thrill of heat race through me at his words, at the naked want in his gaze. It's wrong, so wrong, to feel this attraction to the man responsible for my father's death. But I can't deny the pull between us, the electric current that seems to crackle in the air whenever we're close.

An idea begins to form in my mind—desperate, possibly insane, but potentially our best chance at survival. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to do.

"Marry me," I blurt out.

Luka blinks, genuine surprise crossing his face. "What?"

"Marry me," I repeat, more firmly this time. "It's the perfect solution. You need a connection to the political world, right? Well, I'm an Orlov. I have those connections. And in exchange, you protect my family—my mother, my sister. You keep them safe from Viktor and anyone else who might want to harm them."

Luka studies me, his brow furrowed in confusion and suspicion. "Why would you do this? After everything that's happened..."

I lift my chin, meeting his gaze steadily. "Because I love my family. And I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Even if that means tying myself to someone like you ."

For a long moment, Luka is silent, his eyes never leaving mine. I can almost see the gears turning in his mind, weighing the pros and cons of my offer.

"It would make things simpler," he muses, almost to himself. "A marriage to an Orlov would solidify my position, give me legitimacy in certain circles."

"Exactly," I say, seizing on his train of thought. "It's a win-win situation. You get the political connections you need, and I get assurance that my family will be protected."

Luka takes a step closer, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body. "And what about us, Natalia? Are you prepared for what a marriage to me would entail?"

My breath catches at the intensity in his gaze. Images flash through my mind—Luka's hands on my body, his lips on my skin, the way he'd made me feel that night in the hotel. I push the thoughts away, focusing on the matter at hand.

"I'm prepared to do whatever is necessary," I say, proud of how steady my voice sounds.

A slow smile spreads across Luka's face, equal parts admiration and something darker, more predatory. "Very well," he says. "I accept your proposal."

Relief washes over me, quickly followed by a new wave of anxiety. What have I just agreed to? A lifetime bound to this dangerous, enigmatic man?

As if reading my thoughts, Luka reaches out, his hand cupping my cheek. The touch is surprisingly gentle, at odds with the hardness in his eyes. "I'll take care of you, Natalia," he murmurs. "You and your family will want for nothing."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Luka's thumb traces the curve of my cheekbone, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Despite everything, I find myself leaning into his touch, craving more.

"We'll need to move quickly," Luka says, his voice taking on a businesslike tone even as his hand remains on my face. "I'll have my lawyer draw up the necessary paperwork. We'll need to stage a courtship, of course. We can't have people getting suspicious."

The sudden shift makes my head spin. "Right," I say faintly. "Of course."

Luka's eyes soften slightly, a hint of concern creeping into his expression. "Are you alright? I know this is a lot to take in."

I want to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Alright? My father is dead, my uncle is apparently a crime lord, and I've just agreed to marry the man responsible for turning my world upside down. But instead, I just nod.

"I'm fine," I lie. "Just... processing things."

Luka studies me for a moment longer, then seems to come to a decision. "Come on," he says, taking my hand. "Let's get you out of this basement. You'll stay in one of the guest rooms from now on. It's more fitting for my fiancée."

The word sends a jolt through me. Fiancée. What have I gotten myself into?

As Luka leads me up the stairs and into the main part of the house, my mind races with the implications of what I've just done. I've tied myself to a dangerous man, a criminal, a killer. But I've also secured protection for my family, a shield against whatever storm is coming our way.

And deep down, in a part of myself I'm not ready to examine too closely, I can't deny the thrill that runs through me at the thought of being Luka's wife. The attraction between us is undeniable, a force as powerful and dangerous as Luka himself.

As we reach the top of the stairs, Luka pauses, turning to face me. His eyes search mine, filled with an intensity that takes my breath away. "Thank you, Natalia," he says softly. "I know this isn't easy for you. But I promise, I'll make it worth your while."

The double meaning in his words isn't lost on me. I swallow hard, heat pooling low in my belly despite my best efforts to remain detached. "I'll hold you to that," I manage to say.

Luka's lips curve into a predatory smile that sends shivers down my spine. "Oh, I'm counting on it."

As he leads me deeper into the house, towards my new life as Luka Volkov's fiancée, I can't shake the feeling that I've just made a deal with the devil himself. But whether it will be my salvation or my damnation remains to be seen.