Chapter 4 #2
"Aria, cut it out. You'd hate for your mother to get hurt, wouldn't you?" Her stepmother threatens.
"I'm not some fragile pawn to be moved around at your will." She snaps at her stepmother.
"That's where you're wrong. You're a daughter born into the Bratva. You're their pawn right now, and then you'll become mine. A piece on the chess board to move however I want." I keep my eyes pinned on hers, and anger radiates from her body.
She's never expected this to happen to her, and it only means I'm going to have so much more fun.
"If I have to marry you to keep my mother safe, I will, but don't think for one fucking minute that I'll do it willingly.
I'll make you hate being married to me." There it is, that venom in her eyes.
Mmm, I kind of like it. Marrying her won't be boring and painful like I originally thought. It might actually be entertaining.
My father shifts uncomfortably in his seat beside me, clearly taken aback by Aria's brazen hostility. Mr. Zuyev raises an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes as he observes the brewing storm between his daughter and me.
"I can assure you, Aria," I say evenly, my voice betraying none of the anger that threatens to consume me. "You won't be the royal pain in my ass you're so desperate to be. You'll be entertaining me with every outburst you have. It's not easy to get a rise out of me, little girl."
Her gaze does not waver as she studies me, her sharp intellect undoubtedly analyzing my words for any hint of deception. There is a fleeting moment when I catch a glimpse of vulnerability behind her icy facade before it disappears like a flickering flame.
"No matter what you say," she retorts defiantly, her voice cutting through the tension in the room like a knife.
"I will not be confined to the role of a docile wife, or an obedient daughter," Aria glares at her father with all of her might, and then her stepmother.
"You two are vile people for putting me through this.
Threatening me with my own mother's life.
How can you live with yourselves?" Her voice wavers and anger-fueled tears threaten to fall.
"Playing devil's advocate here, I would have done the same thing. They took the most precious thing in your life and used it as leverage. It's smart," I speak up.
Aria's eyes blaze with fury as she turns her gaze toward me, her tears transforming into a fiery determination. "Smart?" she scoffs. "You think it's smart to manipulate and control someone you claim to love? How pathetic. You have no idea what love even means!"
I lean back in my chair, studying her intently. There is an unyielding strength within her, a spirit that refuses to be broken despite the circumstances. Aria is not like any other woman I've encountered before...and I like that. I like that she's testing me.
"And do you?" I challenge her, my voice low and dangerous. "Do you know what love means?"
Her lips curl into a bitter smile, devoid of any semblance of warmth. "Love is not about dominance or control," she retorts. "It's about trust, respect, and mutual understanding. Something you and your family clearly lack."
The room falls silent as her words hang in the air, each person digesting the impact of what she just said. Aria's defiance has shifted the dynamics of this meeting, transforming it into something far more volatile than any of us could have anticipated.
Mr. Zuyev leans forward, his eyes fixed on his daughter with a mix of admiration and regret.
"Aria," he begins softly, his usually stern voice filled with an underlying sadness.
"Your stepmother and I have made many mistakes along the way, but everything we have done and are doing is to protect you, your brother, and your mother. "
Aria scoffs again, her voice heavy with bitterness. "Protect me? By destroying my freedom and happiness? I can protect myself, Father. I always have."
The air crackles with tension as all eyes turn to Mr. Zuyev.
But, her stepmother is the one who cuts in.
She laughs, "No, you haven't. We have always ensured you were safe.
You'd think we could discuss this among our family, but look at the way you're acting, airing family business in front of the Volkolvs. How embarrassing."
"You claim to have protected me, ensured I was safe, but how in the fuck did you do that? Hmm?" It amazes me that one of the country's best pediatric oncologists has the mouth of a sailor.
My father looks at me, raising his brows in amusement. Aria certainly is a firecracker.
"There have been seven assassination attempts on you alone, Aria.
Six out of the seven were dealt with quietly.
So quietly you wouldn't even know what happened if it was within ten fucking feet of you.
I protected you from the seventh too, and had my men kill the man they sent after you, but in doing so our entire family became the target of the largest cartel in Brazil.
Fortunately for you, Mr. Volkolv is allies with the cartel leader and has handled this problem for us. "
"So, what, my marriage is a thank you to them?" Aria nods in our direction.
"It's a peace offering so I don't take everything from your father.
Luckily, he has influence that I want, and even though you're a bastard, you can serve a purpose.
He wasn't the only one who had to sacrifice his daughter, little one.
" My father speaks with authority, taking a deep breath before he continues.
"I arranged a marriage with my daughter and their son to sweeten the deal. "
Aria's eyes widen, and I'm taken aback. I didn't know anything about this, and I doubt Vera does. I know exactly who my father is talking about without naming names. They call themselves cartel leaders, but they're drug lords. I wonder why drug lords were coming after Aria.
"You see, this is about more than just you." Aria's stepmother announces, glaring at Aria.
Aria's anger reaches its boiling point, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and disbelief. "Yeah, it's affecting two women that it shouldn't have to." Her fists clench, her knuckles turning white with the intensity of her emotions.
Her stepmother takes a step forward, her eyes cold and calculating.
"You don't understand what it means to be a woman associated with the Bratva, do you?
Well, let me make it abundantly clear so you can stop acting like a spoiled child once and for all.
It is our duty to marry someone that our father or brother picks out for us.
We are the way to solidify peace, and yes, you and Vera are having to appease one family.
That is the real disappointment here. I'm sure Ruslan had another family picked out, and yet he's marrying his daughter off to someone to help keep peace. "
Aria's breath catches in her throat as she tries to make sense of the words that hang in the air. The weight of responsibility settles upon her shoulders, shifting her perspective in an instant. She looks to her father, searching for answers, but his gaze remains fixed on the ground.
"So, I never even stood a chance? I was never permitted to love anyone. " Aria's voice quivers with uncertainty.
Her stepmother sighs heavily, frustration etched across her face. "No, the choice was never yours."
The realization dawns on Aria like a slap to the face. "I never asked for any of this," Aria whispers, her voice barely audible amidst the weight of the revelation.
"Life doesn't always give us what we want. Sometimes, decisions are made for us and we have to suck it up. So, suck it up, little girl. I'm sure you'll be just fine."
"God, you're incorrigible! I'd rather marry a slug than your pompous ass."
"Luckily for you, I'm a little more attractive than that disgusting creature." I snicker, but she doesn't find it funny in the least bit.
Aria hates me. I can see it written all over her face. I'm going to have my fun with her. Riling her up is soon going to be my favorite hobby, and it looks like it will be oh so easy to do.