Page 44 of Forced By the Bratva King

“You’ve never shown any interest in my life, but now that I’m joined together in holy matrimony with your enemy, you suddenly develop a conscience?” I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest.

“That’s not true,” he said, a bit calmer this time. “I do care about you, and yes, it pains me that you’re….” The word was hard for him to say. “It pains me that you’re his wife, Sierra. He’s a monster.”

“Looks like Mom and I are cursed to fall for monsters,” I replied coldly. There was something off about that statement, but whatever, he got the message.

He combed his fingers through his hair, trying not to lose control as he took a few paces away before returning to ask, “Does she know—your mother?”

I was quiet, and there was a sudden dryness in my throat that made it difficult to swallow. In the end, I shook my head at her question.

“What the hell, Sierra?” He put his head down, rubbing his eyebrows. “Hold on, are you under duress? Did he force you to marry him?”

“He did it to save my life,” I said.

“Save your life?” His brows rose in disbelief. “That doesn't sound like the Artem that I know.”

“Well, it’s true,” I replied. “I witnessed something that I shouldn’t have, and the rule is that there are no witnesses. You’re very aware of that, aren’t you? Considering that you always prioritized the mafia over me. Just like you always chose your other children.” I had been dying to give him a piece of my mind, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

My relationship with my father had been very complex, especially since Mom separated me from him and the life he led. He’d tried a couple of times to come close, to know me better, but in the long run, he always bailed on me when I needed him the most. He was always so busy with his mafia life, choosing money and violence over me.

He stood in front of me, speechless, as he saw the anger in my eyes. But was I really angry? I was just hurting. Maybe I was mad at him, but I was also very confused about the whole situation and the effect it was having on me.

“The fact that your mother isn’t aware of this marriage means that Artem probably forced you into choosing this life. If he hadn’t, you wouldn’t be keeping it a secret,” Niall said, his eyes fixed on me. “She took you away from me when you were a baby because she didn’t want you to be a part of the violence that comes with this life, only for you to end up marrying someone as ruthless as I am.”

“I didn’t have a choice,” I repeated.

“Yes, you did. You could’ve told me. You could have come to me—”

“You aren’t exactly father of the year,” I cut him off. “Plus, I thought you wouldn’t care.”

“You think so little of me, Sierra,” he said quietly.

“Funny, that’s exactly what he says to me,” I replied, a small grin at the corner of my lips.

He must have noticed the smile on my face because there was a frown on his. Niall’s hatred for Artem was glaring, but I needed him to keep that anger in check. “You’ve grown fond of him.”

I swallowed hard, unable to deny it, but I didn’t accept it either. “He can’t find out.” I shook my head, afraid to even think about what would happen if he did. “He can’t know that you’re my father. He hates you so much.”

“Yeah, the feeling is mutual.”

“I can’t risk it.” I sighed. “He could kill me if finds out.”

“Then I’ll kill the bastard before he gets the chance.” Niall frowned, his hands balling into fists.

“No!” I didn’t mean to raise my voice, but I did. “You’ll do no such thing. He’s not to be touched.”

Niall shifted back in surprise. “You’re defending him now?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “Could this get any worse? You’re looking out for the safety of my enemy?”

He had no idea how worse things were about to get, and I wasn’t going to keep this a secret from him.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted out.

His eyes grew cold in an instant, and his pupils went dark. His teeth were gritted, and in his face was a mix of disappointment, rage, and disbelief. This was a game changer, and we both weren’t ready for it.

I’d grown up without a father’s love, without a father figure—at least not until Mom married Gary. Although he and I were close, there was still a void that he couldn’t fill. He was an amazing father to both his son and me, but there were times when I felt like I didn’t belong—times when I felt left out. Niall was always with his other kids, and I was mostly all by myself.

I wasn’t going to subject my child to the same childhood I had. No. I was going to make sure that they got the love, care, attention, and everything that I’d missed out on.

Niall was still trying to come to terms with my revelation when heaved a sigh and walked away without saying anything.