The Bratva's Heir (Underworld Kings)

by Jane Henry

I’ve been my father’s main enforcer since I was fifteen years old. I know how to take a man down so he doesn’t get up again.

I can smell her perfume before I can actually see her.

“Consider yourself warned. I’m no fucking social experiment. I won’t be reformed. I’m a criminal. A monster. A killer. I always have been, and I always will be.”

I do have one line I never cross; I always keep my word.

My notes tell me he’s an enforcer for the Bratva—and heir to the throne of his father Artyom Rogov.

The thing that ripped my guts out was the loss of the baby. She was only eight weeks pregnant.

I’m going to find out exactly who shoved me in here,

And most of all, they’ll pay for my son.

“Clare Valencia. She’s the DA’s daughter.”

“You don’t seem to understand your position, Clare,” I growl. “I stole you. And when the Bratva steal something… we don’t give it back. You belong to me now. If you want to eat, you’ll eat from my hand. If you want to drink, you’ll drink from my mouth. You’re going to answer my questions, and you’re going to do what I say. Or you’ll suffer the consequences.”

your father is a liar, and he would hurt you. The woman I was engaged to died because of him. Why, I don’t know.”

I have to look perfect, behave perfectly. I had to get perfect grades, drive a perfect car. Anything less than perfection taints his reputation, and on more than one occasion, he’s upbraided me for not being the daughter he expects me to be.”

I’m the heir to his empire, second-in-command, and whoever put me behind bars likely fucking knows it.

“You are adorably nerdy is what you are.”

you seem to be overcompensating for feelings of physical inadequacy, which is understandable with all these powerful men around you. Yet you turn that aggression on me, one of the only women present. Which makes me think you may be compensating for sexual inadequacy as well.”

“But I don’t have relationships with women, Clare.

“She was pregnant,” I whisper. “Yes. She was only two months along, but she carried my son and heir.”

“I want you naked, little bird. I want to see you. I want to taste you. Then, I want to devour you.”

“You’re mine,”

“You comfort me, Clare.”

“I demand obedience from those under my care,” he says in a gentler tone than I expect. “From my men and those beneath me. And since you are in my care, that would be from you as well. I cannot protect anyone who undermines me or seeks to take away my ability to do so in any way.”

“Tell me I belong to you,” she moans. “You’re mine,” I growl. “I’ll never let you go.” “Tell me I’m your good girl…” “You’re my princess, my queen. I’ll slaughter anyone who lays a finger on you. Only I touch you. Only I look at you. You’re mine and mine alone.”

“No matter what,” he says, his accent thick. “No matter what happens, you will always be mine.”

This is what falling in love feels like. It’s delirium.

“And before you get another thought in your head, know this. I love you, too. You are my light, shining like a beacon. You led me out of darkness.” His arms around me tighten like a belt pulled taut while I try to compose myself. “Now go, little bird. Fly.”

Emmanuel comes barreling out. He’s clutching a butcher knife, his face a mask of rage. He sprints at me, blade swinging down toward my face. All I can do is put up my forearm to block it. But Emmanuel isn’t aiming for me. He buries the knife hilt-deep in Valencia’s chest. He stabs him over and over while Clare’s scream pierces the air.

“Izvini, kuzen! I’m so sorry, cousin. They picked me up in a bar uptown. They beat me, tortured me. I was so blitzed, I didn’t know what I was saying. I never meant to tell. I should have confessed in the beginning when the mistake was small, when you could have forgiven me. I had no idea what they had planned. I did order the wine, but I swear to God, I didn’t know what it was for… I never thought they would dare…”

finger. It was only a week ago we took our vows, a full year after the scandal that broke my family.

“I love you, Constantine.”

“And I love you, Clare.” His voice drops to a growl. “Now fuck me, woman.”

“The number of people in our party, perhaps…”