Forced to Marry the Russian (Nikolai Bratva Brides #2)

Chapter 17 - Zia

Zia stood in awe as they stepped into the restaurant's grand foyer. Marble floors gleamed under crystal chandeliers that cast a soft, warm light over the scene.

This place screamed luxury, from the interior décor to the staff and the other customers eating there. She’d never been to a place like this.

Dinner dates with Owen were always at smaller, cheaper restaurants where they could afford, not somewhere so expensive.

Lev’s hand, steady and reassuring, rested lightly on the small of her back as one of the waiters approached them.

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Nikolai,” the waiter greeted, bowing slightly. “Your table is ready.”

Lev nodded, his usual air of dominance surrounding him. Zia felt a flutter of excitement and nerves as they were led past the main dining area, where elegantly dressed customers enjoyed their meals, to a discrete door guarded by a velvet rope.

The VIP room was a world of itself. Opulent and intimate, it exuded an air of exclusivity. Rich mahogany paneling lined the walls, and plush velvet drapes framed the windows, which offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. A single table, draped in pristine white linen, was set with glittering crystal and fine china. A bouquet of roses, their petals a deep, velvety red, stood at the center.

Zia tried not to show her excitement, but she couldn’t help the wide smile on her face. Lev hadn’t just booked them a reservation; he’d gotten a VIP for them.

He hadn’t said it yet, but she wondered if it was his apology for ignoring her for two days now. It wasn’t entirely his fault; she’d been wrong, too. She shouldn’t have helped Owen, and she shouldn’t have gotten mad at Lev, either. She’d planned to make him dinner tonight to apologize for the way she acted, but he beat her to it.

Eating in a place like this was an experience she was going to cherish forever. Only a few weeks ago, she’d been homeless, broken-hearted, and struggling to survive. And then she’d met Lev, and he’d changed everything. She was grateful to him.

Lev pulled out a chair for her with a smooth, practiced motion. “After you,” he said, his voice a blend of warmth and excitement.

She’d seen him every day for the last weeks since they’d been married, yet she couldn’t get over how handsome he was. The aura around him and the way he carried himself made him even more captivating.

She also hadn’t expected him to be a romantic, giving her flowers and chocolate, but he did. Butterflies had fluttered in her stomach when he told her he was taking her to dinner, even more when he gave her those flowers. It was a constant struggle to remind herself not to fall in love with him.

And even then, she was losing. Her body reacted to this man in ways she didn’t think it could. Just sitting next to him made every cell in her body tingle, and her mind these days couldn’t think of anything or anyone besides him.

He’d consumed her and imprinted himself in every fiber of her. She couldn’t live without him. She couldn’t imagine herself existing without him.

“Thank you,” Zia replied, settling into the seat. She couldn’t help but feel a thrill at the sheer luxury of it all. This was a far cry from the simple cafes and bistros she was used to.

Another waiter appeared as if by magic, presenting a wine list bound in rich leather. Lev exchanged a few quiet words with him before turning his attention back to Zia.

“I hope you like Bordeaux,” he said, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

Zia smiled, slightly embarrassed because she didn’t even have a single idea what that was.

“I’m sure I will,” she replied, feeling her cheeks warm under his gaze. There was something about the way he looked at her—so intense, so focused—that made her feel like she was the only person in the room.

As they waited for their first course, Zia took in the details of the room. The soft strains of a piano drifted through hidden speakers, mingling with the murmur of distant conversation. Everything was designed to create a romantic atmosphere.

“So,” Lev began, leaning forward slightly. “What do you think?”

“It’s… incredible,” Zia said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “I’ve never been anywhere like this.”

Lev’s smile was genuine, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. “I’m glad you like it. I wanted tonight to be special. We haven’t had a date or dinner together since we got married.”

“To be frank, I never thought I would ever get a chance to eat in a fancy restaurant,” she admitted. “I’m only able to because of you. Thank you.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for. You’re my wife. It’s my duty to make you happy.” His expression turned more serious, which slightly bothered Zia. “About the other day, with Owen—”

“No,” she cut in. “I’m sorry about that day. I shouldn’t have done what I did., I don’t want to talk about him. He’s bad news.”

She wondered if she should tell him about Owen’s threats before he left but decided against it. Owen was an idiot who had nothing without the help of his parents. He was no match for Lev. It would be useless bringing him up and ruining the mood.

“If you say so.”

The door opened and a server came in with what he referred to as an amuse-bouche. Lev explained that it simply meant appetizer.

All Zia cared about was that it tasted good. It shredded duck confit mixed with spices and fat, served on crispy crostini and garnished with cornichons.

The first course arrived just as the server was leaving. Lev had ordered smoked salmon carpaccio with dill and lemon, and she’d done the same, trusting his judgment. The waiter placed a plate in front of her, and she gushed at the thinly sliced smoked salmon drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil, topped with capers, fresh dill, and red onion.

She marveled at the artistry of the dishes. They were almost too beautiful to be eaten. Taking out her phone from her purse, she snapped the dishes.

A second waiter walked in with a bucket of ice, a bottle of Bordeaux, and two wine glasses. He opened the bottle, filled the two glasses with wine, and placed what was left in the bucket of ice.

“Enjoy your meal,” the waiters said and left the table.

Lev gestured to the food. “Eat.”

Zia nodded and picked up a fork. She took a bite of the salmon and groaned at how well-spiced and delicious it was. She had been too nauseous to eat anything in the last couple of days, but this was perfect. “God, it tastes really good,” she said, beaming with a smile. “You should eat yours.”

Lev smiled back. “Just eat. I don’t mind starving if it means I get to watch my beautiful wife eat.”

She blushed at how dangerously cool his voice was. “You’ve been calling me beautiful a little too much this evening.”

“Because it’s true. You’re breathtaking,” he said, his eyes boring into her. “So beautiful that I don’t mind sitting like this forever just looking at you.”

Her stomach churned, her chest burning with a flutter. Lev Nikolai would be the death of her. The man knew the right words to say to her every damn time.

Their conversation flowed easily for the rest of the evening. They talked, laughed, and ate. Each course was a masterpiece, from the delicate amuse-bouche to the rich, savory main course. Zia savored every bite of it, stealing from Lev’s plate a few times. He’d let her have it, and he didn’t try to stop her.

As dessert was served—a decadent chocolate soufflé with a molten center. That, too, was yummy enough to draw a moan from Zia.

Lev was still watching her as if just watching her eat was enough to fill him up. The mood tonight was perfect, maybe perfect enough for her to finally get to know him.

She took a sip of the juice in front of her. “So, do you mind if I ask about your family and your childhood?”

He sat back and pinned her with an unwavering gaze. “Ask whatever you want to know. I will answer as truthfully as I can.”

“Okay.” Zia thought of her first question carefully. “What type of relationship do you have with your brothers?”

“We’d die for each other,” he answered, his tone very casual.

Zia felt the sincerity in his voice. She was a stranger before she was his wife, yet he’d gone against Konstantin and protected her. How much more for his brothers?

“They hardly visit.”

“They don’t want to make you uncomfortable,” he replied. “You don’t know them, and I forced you into marrying me, the last thing I want is to rush you.”

A pang of guilt rippled through her. His family had stayed away because they were being considerate of her. For some reason, it made her feel selfish. She didn’t have a family, at least not anymore, but she knew how hard that must’ve been for him.

“I’m sorry about that,” she muttered, lowering her head.

He shook his head. “Don’t be. I made that decision on my own and they’re perfectly cool with it. But I may or may not have a way if you wish to meet them.”

She tilted her gaze to him. “Spill.”

He smiled. “My oldest brother and his wife invited us to dinner. But of course, I told them we’ll only come when you’re ready.”

She gaped at him without blinking. “Your older brother, the head of the the head of the Bratva?”

He nodded. “My other brothers will be there if I request—”

“You turned down an invitation from the head of the Bratva?” She asked, cutting him off.

She’d heard of how ruthless and cruel the heads of the Russian mafia usually were. They killed women, children, and even their own family members for the slightest inconvenience, and Lev had turned down an invitation from one.

Lev squinted at her, seeming confused by her reaction. “Yes? Is something wrong?”

“Are you really—” she trailed off, sliding her fingers through her hair and catching her breath. “Won’t that make him really upset?”

A chuckle rumbled from Lev’s throat. “Are you afraid my brother will get angry and hurt me?”

She pursed her lips. She didn’t understand why he was acting like her concern was baseless. “Am I wrong to be? He’s the Pakhan.”

“My brother is not a monster. He’ll never hurt anyone of us,” Lev explained. “Like I said, we can give up our lives for each other. Does that sound like he can hurt any of us?”

“Well… I didn’t think of it that way.”

“You should meet him and his wife, Mira. They’re both very nice. Mira especially, she’ll love you.”

Zia wasn’t certain about meeting his family yet. She was still trying to grasp the reality of being married to someone in the mafia. And Lev’s oldest brother, despite Lev’s description of him, still sounded very scary to her.

Her father was killed by someone in the mafia, which meant they weren’t as nice as Lev wanted her to believe.

She didn’t blame him, though. It was his brother, so it was only natural for him to think of his brother as less scary and loving. But she couldn’t turn down the invite either. Lev had done a lot for her; it was only right for her to repay him in some way.

“You should set a date for us to meet them.”

Lev nodded. “I have an important meeting in two days. The night after that will be perfect.”

“In three days, then?”

“In three days.” He took a bite of his chocolate cake. “You haven’t told me anything about your family.”

“Oh.” She rubbed her clammy hands on her dress and licked her lips. “My mother died years back. My father died when I was still a baby. He was actually murdered… by someone in the mafia.”

“The mafia.” His eyes narrowed on her. “Do you know what role he played and what mafia family he worked for?”

“He was a cop. He was murdered during an investigation.” An idea flashed in her head. How come she’d never thought of the fact that Lev could help her find whoever killed her father until now?” “

“What was his name?”

“James Kincaid,” she answered, peering into his eyes. She suddenly had a new glimmer of hope that she could find out who killed her father. It wouldn’t change anything, but she could at least get some closure, a consolation for the fact that he was taken from her before she even had a chance to meet him.

“I’ll find out all I can about him.”

Zia smiled. “Thank you.” She guzzled down more orange juice and asked, “How about your parents? I’ve never heard you talk about them.”

“My mother died when I was still a child, and a rival family murdered my father,” Lev said. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“What were they like?” Zia asked.

A sad smile played across Lev’s face. “My mother was beautiful and kind. My father was the opposite, cruel and hardened from growing up in the mafia. The only thing they had in common was their love for me and my brothers.”

She sighed. For some reason, she missed her father even though she had no memories of him. Her mother had been the same as Lev’s, beautiful and kind. But her father, she wondered what kind of man he was.

Her mother had told her he was a good cop. There was nothing he hated more than injustice—he died for it.

Zia’s chest constricted. If he hadn’t been murdered, he would’ve still been here with her. She wouldn’t have suffered so much after her mother died. Living life with no family had been tough, and she’d always wanted a family of her own someday. Now that she was married to Lev, she could have a family. They could have a family of their own.

The question left her lips before she could stop it. “Have you ever thought of having children?”

Lev paused, his brows knitting together. “I never even thought I would get married, but here we are.”

“Does that mean you would want us to have children someday?”

“If you want to, then yes,” he answered simply.

If you want to.

It wasn’t the answer Zia was expecting. It sounded more like he didn’t want to have children, but he could compromise if she wanted to.

She held back a sigh and looked at him. “If I want to,” she repeated, but didn’t say anything more.

Lev must’ve noticed the change in her expression. He swiftly changed the topic. “Is there something you’d like to do?”

“Something like what?” Zia asked with an anxious smile.

He leaned over the table and peered into her eyes. “I don’t expect you to be a housewife. Do you have dreams or anything you’d like to invest your time in? I’ll give you all the support you need.”

She thought for a moment. Her dream had always been to survive—to be able to put food on her table and have a roof over her head. That wasn’t a problem anymore. She had all she could ever ask for and even more. But she’d never considered dreaming about more than being able to afford her basic needs.

Now, she had all the time in the world to do that. She was going to seize the moment and try everything she’d been holding herself back from doing. “I really hadn’t considered anything until now. But I’ll think of something, and I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”

He nodded. “Good. Whatever it is, I’ll provide you with whatever you’ll need.”

Zia looked across the table at Lev. There was a softness in his eyes, a vulnerability she rarely saw. Her throat tightened with emotion. Lev might not know it, but he’d changed her life in ways she couldn’t have imagined. He’d provided her with comfort and security, and that meant everything to her.

“Thank you, Lev,” she said, her voice sincere and cracking with gratitude. “Thank you for everything.”

He reached across the table, taking her hand in his. “I’ll do anything if it makes you happy, Zia. Anything at all. Just say the word and I’ll make sure you have it.”

She smiled because she believed him. He wasn’t bluffing. This man right here had gone against his brother and Pakhan just so he could marry her. This man had comforted her. He’d tortured a man for her. She knew he meant it when he said he would do anything for her. Maybe that she the reason her pulse raced as she looked into his dark eyes.

Her eyes caressed his handsome face, pausing on his lips briefly, and her heart throbbed. Her body ached for him; her soul longed for more of him. She wanted more than dates and sex; she wanted his heart.

Because in her heart, there was only him.

She’d tried to tell herself otherwise. She’d wanted to deny it until she believed it, but the truth was staring right back at her now, and she couldn’t turn away from it. She didn’t want to.

She was falling in love with Lev Nikolai.