Page 5 of The Bratva Bosses' Surrogate

With caution, I approach her and reach into my pocket for a pair of handcuffs. As I secure them around her wrists, she winces slightly, a soft whimper escaping her lips.

This isn’t how I imagined I would use the handcuffs on her...

I swallow the lump in my throat, my heart sinking at the sound of her moan. This wasn’t supposed to be so cruel, so cold. But I’m in too deep now, and I have to follow through with the plan.

“Stand up,” I say, my voice softer this time. “I don’t want to hurt you.” She slowly rises to her feet, her body trembling under my touch. I lead her towards the door, keeping a firm grip on her arm to prevent any further escape attempts.

We step outside into the cool night air, the dimly lit street casting long shadows on the pavement. Ivan and Viktor are waiting in a sleek black car just a few meters away. They know what needs to be done.

Sofia’s eyes widen as she spots them, her panic growing even more apparent. “Please,” she pleads, her voice filled with desperation. “I can’t go with you. There must be another way.”

I pause for a moment, considering her words. A part of me wants to listen, to find a compromise which doesn’t involve dragging her into this dangerous underworld. But then I remember the stakes—the pressure that hangs heavy over our heads.

“No,” I respond firmly, my grip tightening on her arm. “There is no other way. You made a deal, Sofia, and now you have to fulfill it.”

I grip Sofia’s arm, ushering her towards the car where Ivan and Viktor are waiting. The moment she’s inside, the doors snap shut, enclosing us in a tense bubble.

Ivan shoots me a disapproving look. “I told you to bring her willingly.”

“She called the cops on us,” I snap back, feeling Sofia’s body tremble under my grip.

Viktor curses under his breath. “Fuck. We need to move, now, before they show up.”

Then, the unmistakable sound of sirens slices through the air, getting louder, coming closer.

“Fucking drive!” I bark at Viktor, who’s in the driver’s seat. “What are you waiting for?”

Sofia’s body suddenly goes limp beside me, her head lolling onto my shoulder. She must have passed out, poor thing. “She’s out.”

“Because you scared the living shit out of her,” Ivan shoots back, his tone laced with accusation.

“Maybe you should’ve convinced her instead, huh?” I retort, my frustration boiling over.

Viktor, who’s been focused on the road, snaps at us. “Can you two please shut up?”

The drive to the coast is long, but it’s a relief there’s no sign of the cops on our tail. Sofia remains unconscious, her body slumped against me. I can’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. Why did she react this way? I thought Kayla handled it smoothly.

As we reach the secluded dock where the yacht is moored, I carefully lift Sofia from the car. The cold seaside air hits us, sharp and biting. She shivers a little as I carry her onto the yacht.

As I step onto the deck, I feel her stir in my arms and continue forward. Her eyelids flutter, a sign she’s coming to. I brace myself for the reaction I know is coming.

As Sofia’s eyes flutter open, confusion and fear immediately cloud her gaze. She tries to move, to pull away, but I hold her steady, making sure she doesn’t hurt herself in her disoriented state.

“Where... where am I?” Her voice is weak, barely above a whisper, her eyes darting around, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

I position her on a sofa.

“You’re alright,” I say, though I know my words might sound hollow to her. “We’re on a yacht, heading to a secure location.”

Her panic is palpable, her breathing quickens, and I can see her mind racing, trying to process everything. “Why? Why are you doing this?”

“We needed to ensure your safety and privacy.”

“Safety? You call this safety?” She struggles again, tries to stand, but it’s futile.

“Calm down,” I urge her. “I know this is hard to understand, but it’s for the best. You’ll be taken care of, I promise.”

“Taken care of? By you? You think I’m going to trust you after this? After everything you’ve done?”

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