Forced to Marry the Bratva: Age Gap Mafia Romance (Zolotov Bratva Book 5)

Chapter 21 - Damien

I stride into Boris’s office, feeling the weight of recent events heavy on my shoulders. Boris and Lev turn to face me, expressions grim, already anticipating bad news. Boris sits behind his massive mahogany desk while Lev leans against a bookshelf.

Though they look worried, I instantly feel comforted knowing they’re both here after having dropped everything all because I asked—my brothers, my confidants.

“Damien, what’s this urgent meeting about?” Boris asks, rising from his desk.

I motion for him to sit, and I take my place opposite his. Lev saunters over to sit beside me.

I run a hand through my hair, swallowing hard before speaking. “It’s about Genevieve and something that happened with her father.”

Lev raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Go on.”

“You might recall yesterday’s meeting where Genevieve proposed a new casino hotel in Vermont,” I begin, putting together the facts. “Gerald didn’t show up to the meeting but he was in the building. After the meeting ended, I went to get us some coffee, and when I returned, I found he’d cornered Genevieve in one of the hallways.”

“Alright,” Boris narrows his eyes.

“Well, he hadn’t just cornered her. I saw him slap her, and I couldn’t help myself. We had an altercation, and I punched him a few times.”

“He slapped Genevieve?” Boris roars in disbelief. “In our office?”

I nod.

Lev shakes his head. “That bastard. Hope you gave it to him good.”

I turn to Lev with a small smile on my mouth. “I got him in the jaw real good. He spat out blood.”

“Now we’re talking,” Lev lets out a low whistle.

“Did you really have to punch the bastard though?” Boris asks, the wheels turning in his head. I know he doesn’t approve of what Russo did, but Boris has to think of the bigger picture, and I can’t blame him.

“He had it coming,” I reply coolly.

A silence falls over the room as Boris and Lev exchange glances. It’s clear they hadn’t expected me to defend Genevieve so fiercely, especially since our marriage began as nothing more than a strategic alliance. But the truth is, she’s become so much more to me than that.

“Good for you, Damien,” Lev finally says, a hint of pride in his voice. “Gerald’s always been an ass, but nobody ever stands up to him.”

“True,” Boris agrees, nodding solemnly. “But we need to be careful now. Gerald won’t take this lightly, and he’ll undoubtedly try to retaliate.”

“I know,” I acknowledge, my mind racing with the potential consequences of my actions. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you both. We need a plan to protect Genevieve and our family from whatever schemes Gerald might be planning.”

Boris sighs, a brief look of regret coming over his face. He runs a hand through his dark hair, avoiding my gaze.

“Damien, we should have fought harder to prevent this marriage,” he admits, his voice heavy with the weight of his thoughts. “We never wanted you to be put in such a precarious situation. If he’s capable of treating his own daughter with such callousness, I hate to think what he’d do to you.”

I study my older brother, taking note of his sincerity. But his words do not resonate with me as they once would have. Instead, I feel an unexpected surge of protectiveness for Genevieve welling up inside me. She has shown me another side of her, one that is genuine and kind, standing in stark contrast to her ruthless father.

“Actually, Boris,” I interject, surprising even myself with the conviction in my voice. “I don’t agree with you.”

Boris raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by my response. Lev watches us both, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

“Despite how our relationship started,” I continue, “I’ve come to appreciate Genevieve for who she truly is. She is nothing like her father. If he’s night, she’s day. He’s darkness; she’s light. I’ve seen this extraordinary loyalty and love in her, qualities that are rare among our circles. In fact, I think these traits in her must be protected.”

Lev studies me with a peculiar expression. “Have you fallen in love with her, Brother?”

“Love?” I snap my neck up to look straight at Lev, the word tasting unfamiliar in my mouth. I’ve never loved a woman before and have no answer for if this is love. But the more I think of it, the more tangible it becomes as a truth to my reality.

Yet to be so negligent as to say I love her, without truly reflecting on it seems callous in my mind and so I choose to go with, “she’s my wife and I will do all I can to keep her safe. She has my affection, of course.”

“Damien,” Boris finally says, nodding slowly. “If that’s how you feel, then we will stand by you. We’ll do whatever it takes to protect Genevieve and ensure her safety; after all, she is now our family.”

“Thank you,” I reply, feeling a weight lifting off my shoulders. It’s comforting to know that my brothers are there by my side, despite the fact that I really fucked things up for our business with Russo.

“However,” Lev chimes in, leaning forward with a serious expression, “We must be prepared for the possible repercussions of your actions with Gerald. He won’t take your defiance lightly.”

“I know,” I admit, clenching my fists at the thought of the battle ahead. “Yet I’m lost on what can be done. He is my father-in-law, after all.”

Boris leans forward in his leather chair, planting his elbows on the desk between us. “Damien, we can’t hurt him, but we need to control him. I suggest we dig up some dirt on Gerald. If we can find something damaging enough, it might give us an advantage,” Boris says.

“Where do you suggest we start?” I ask.

“His son, Gael,” Boris replies, a glint of determination in his eyes. “He’s close to Genevieve, and he may know things about his father that we don’t.”

I hesitate, my loyalty to my family warring with my growing affection for Genevieve. The thought of involving her younger brother in our investigation doesn’t sit well with me. I know Genevieve’s very fond of him, and I don’t want him to get caught in the crossfire. But I also recognize the importance of finding leverage against Gerald. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of conflicting emotions brewing within me.

“Are you sure bringing the kid in is the right way to go?” I question, my fingers stilling. “We’re already dealing with a fragile situation here, and I don’t want to make things worse for Genevieve or her brother.”

“Damien,” Lev interjects, his voice steady and rational, “We understand your concerns, but we need this information. Our family’s safety is at stake, and we have to explore every avenue. Trust us, we won’t let Gael get in trouble.”

My jaw clenches as I wrestle with my thoughts, weighing the risks and rewards. Finally, I exhale slowly, my decision made. “Alright, we’ll approach Gael.”

“Agreed,” Boris nods, his face set in grim determination. “We’ll tread lightly and keep their best interests in mind. But we need to act fast, Damien. Gerald won’t wait long to strike back.”

“Understood,” I nod. “And it’s best we keep this between us for now.”

***

After we wrap up, I leave Boris’s office. I hear footsteps behind me and Lev calls out to ask me to stop.

I turn. “What’s going on?” I inquire.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk about,” he says.

“Go on,” I prompt, my patience wearing thin.

“Your involvement in the underground fighting ring,” he says bluntly, crossing his arms. “Boris has had his concerns about your marriage, and now you’ve got this secret life that could put us all at risk.”

My chest tightens as I consider his words, knowing full well the danger my actions pose. But the adrenaline-fueled release of the fights has become a lifeline I can’t just give up yet.

“Lev, I...” My voice falters, and I struggle to find the right words. “I know it’s risky, but it helps me handle everything else.”

“Handle it?” He scoffs, shaking his head. “You can’t just keep secrets like this, Damien. You’re not only putting yourself at risk but also Genevieve and the entire family.”

“Enough!” I snap, my anger flaring. “I understand the consequences. But what do you suggest I do? Quit? Just walk away?”

“Maybe,” Lev says, his tone softening. “Maybe you can find another way to deal with the stress. But for now, you need to tell Boris about the underground ring.”

“Fine,” I grit my teeth, knowing he’s right. “I’ll talk to him.”

“When?” he asks.

I say nothing.

He frowns and takes a step forward, putting a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Damien,” Lev says, “you need to promise me you’ll tell Boris about the fighting.”

The weight of his words sinks in, and I know he’s right. As much as I’ve tried to keep this part of my life separate from my family, it’s time to face the truth. I need to be honest with them.

“Alright, Lev,” I say, meeting his eyes. “I promise. After my last fight, I’ll come clean to Boris. But until it’s done, please don’t ask me about it. I need… a few more fights.”

“A few?”

“Just a few,” I nod.

“Good,” Lev nods, his expression sincere. “It’s for the best, Brother.”