Page 26 of The Bratva's Hostage

I inhaled and rushed out the words. “I will be there when he wakes up, don’t worry,” I exhaled.

The sound of soft beeping reached my ears, and I looked down to see that it was my phone. Maksim’s name on the caller ID sent me into a panic.

Dammit, there are cameras. He’s figured it all out. He probably heard what I said too.

My heart drummed faster in my chest, my fingers fidgety as I tapped nervously on the table, my eyes darted towards the doors, waiting for his men to burst into the kitchen at any point.

“I must go, zio. The moment I find what I’m looking for, you’ll be the first to know,” I said, keeping my voice as neutral as I could.

I slipped the little device back into my pocket, careful to make sure that it was secure before I looked back at the phone that had gone blank once again and sighed, knowing he would call back.

Despite expecting it, I jumped as it began to buzz once again, Maksim’s name boldly displayed on the Caller ID.

“Hello?” I answered, a vein in my neck throbbing painfully as I waited for him to tell me he had cameras all around and bragged about telling me he would find out my secret soon enough.

“Elena. Why didn’t you answer just then?” he asked.

I tried to gauge his voice. He didn’t sound angry, nor was he gloating. His voice suggested nothing other than curiosity. Nevertheless, I decided not to tell him anything. If he knew about the device, I would never earn his trust. It was enough that he had hacked into my phone, I wouldn’t let him control any other aspect of my life.

“Oh, uh, I was eating. couldn’t answer until I finished chewing and well…” I trailed off, unsure where to go from there.

“Good. The housekeeper informed me you didn’t have anything for breakfast so make sure to eat plenty,” he said casually.

My brows shot up as he confirmed what I had suspected all along. He had been spying on me. A part of me had thought I was being paranoid since I was the only one in enemy territory but finding out I was right should’ve felt good, but it didn’t.

How many more people does he have watching me?

I let it go, curious as to why he was calling.

“So, why you’re calling me, Maksim?”

“Can’t a man call his wife in the middle of the day to see how she’s doing?” he chuckled.

I glared at nothing as I waited for him to tell me the real reason for his call.

“I don’t believe you would be calling me just to hear my voice,” I said stiffly.

“We will be leaving for an important meeting tomorrow, so make sure you’re prepared,” he said firmly, all traces of humor gone from his voice.

My brows raised. He hadn’t informed me of a meeting before he left. “A meeting? Where? Why do I have to go with you?”

“It’s in Chicago and as for the why, you’ll find out tomorrow.”

Why was he being stingy with the information? It was times like this that made me so mad. He took control over my life; how would I ever be able to defend myself again in a dangerous situation? Why didn’t he show a little faith and confidence in me, instead of treating me like a child? I was constantly reminded of why I could never trust him. He was and would always be my enemy.

“Could you at least tell me who we’ll be meeting with?” I asked calmly, careful not to rile him up and cause him to withhold even that from me.

“We’ll be meeting with the Phillips. Be prepared,” he said in a gravelly tone.

“But why are we-” I stopped when I heard the tone to signify that he had hung up.

I moved the phone from my ear and glared at it like it was him. Letting out a silent scream, I raised my hand to throw it at the wall but stopped myself. I was in no position to do as I pleased out of rage. I could not afford to be phoneless right now, not when news of my father could come in at any time.

I pushed the plate of the already cold crepes away and took a sip of water. I slouched on the chair, my mind racing a mile a minute.

Why do I have to go to this meeting?

No matter how hard I tried, my mind rejected the idea that he simply wanted me with him because I was his wife and he wanted to be seen with me. There had to be some other motivation for this.

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