Page 9 of Forced Bratva Wife

I swallowed down the growing lump in my throat as I saw the flecks of blood dressing his flesh. The prey mentality in me swirled higher. Even without the obvious proof of his work, this guy was deadly malice wrapped in an attractive shell, oozing charisma and intimidation in equal measure.

It nearly caused me to lose my nerve, but then I registered that evil smirk again, and it doubled down my need to get out of there.

“I’m not going anywhere with you. You can’t just kidnap me. There are plenty of people who will notice I’m missing.”

I decided to use a logical approach and looked directly into Leader Guy's eyes as I tried to make him understand. It was ridiculous; I wasn't someone who drifted from place to place without any true connections. I would be reported missing, and their DNA would be all over this room.

However, taking in this man’s presentation, a small voice in my head whispered that he didn’t give a fuck about any of that. Just standing next to him was terrifying. I’d observed the human condition for a while now, becoming intimately familiar with my species thanks to my work in medicine. Sometimes, you could just tell something about a person at first glance.

This guy? He was a killer.

“Trust me, Parker.” His bravado bled into his voice, and he cocked his head at me. “We know a thing or two about getting what we want and not being noticed. Now, as I’ve already had to explain once this evening, I am not a patient man. Get moving, or…”

My ears hummed with the rush of blood coursing fast through me, and I felt the telltale edge of panic creep up. This was a bit too similar to my father’s demanding behavior for my liking.

But then the guy ducked closer to my ear, whispering so that the only people who would know what he said were me and him.

“Or I can drag you out of here myself, little one.” He breathed deep against my skin. “Which would be such a treat, wouldn’t it?”

Pressure welled up inside me as my entire body fought against several conflicting sensations. I hated to be restrained like this, but the tickle of Leader Guy’s breath against my neck made me tingle all over. I’d never been spoken to like that, never been toyed with so obviously, and in front of a room full of thugs, no less.

My legs clenched together harder on instinct, and it brought my attention to them. I needed out of here. Whatever bullshit, charming magic this guy was working was not a sign that I’d be okay with him. These men had weapons, but if I was fast? Maybe. I had to take a chance—if only so I could look back on this later and say that I didn’t just fold like a cheap suit and give him whatever he wanted. Which was clearly me.

Shifting my weight ever so slightly onto my left foot, I held his eyes as Leader Guy pulled back. This was it. This was my one chance. I definitely wouldn’t be getting another.

In a quick jab, I kicked out hard when I had the space. My socked foot smashed against the thick muscle of his thigh, making him pull it away. The leader grunted slightly, and I knew I’d gotten a decent shot in. I yanked down, slipping free of the man holding me. I rushed forward. I knew I could get out of here through any window or the front door.

Just as I was hurrying past him, Leader Guy righted himself easily enough. His hand was like lightning, snagging my throat and stopping me in my tracks. I clawed at his grip, but it did nothing. When he finally made eye contact with me, turning to face me dangling from his hold, he laughed.

He’s fucking laughing at me? Dammit! No, this isn’t—

But my anger wasn’t doing me any good. As we continued our battle of stares, I made a move to yell, but Leader Guy backed me up into the wall that was his buddy’s chest, and that hand clamped down around my mouth again. The leader stepped back with a grin.

Then, my feet were off the floor as I was hauled up by the arm holding me. I kicked more, harder, flailing wildly to try to get this guy to let me go. At that point, there was no reason to play nice. So, I bit and screamed against the man’s hand, glaring daggers at the leader, who just looked tickled by the whole thing.

He released an exaggerated exhale. “Well, fine then. But I did try to give you another option.”

Leader Guy nodded to the man behind me, and then one of his hands went to his pocket. At least, that’s what I imagined. I tried all the harder to break free of his iron grip on me again, but it was no use, and as soon as he’d retrieved what he wanted, that hand came over my mouth, abruptly silencing my tired screams.

There was a cloth in his palm. As it smothered my mouth and nose, I smelled something off—an oddly sweet chemical aroma that made my nostrils burn for the intensity. My vision immediately began to swim as I felt lightheaded and dizzy. No, no…shit…

I’d assumed he was going to hit me or something to knock me out. I may have preferred that if only because I could recover from it faster. But I was wrong. These assholes were prepared, and as my body went loose in the thug’s arms, I realized they’d upgraded their toolkit of just a run-of-the-mill criminal to include chloroform.

Your head is going to ache after…after…

And then I passed out.

Chapter 5 - Lev

The men had no problem getting Parker to the car once Pietor had taken her out of commission for a while. The dose wouldn’t last overly long, he’d assured me, and I trusted his judgment. Pietor was excellent with chemicals and the like, and I always joked that he’d make a hell of a chemist if it weren’t for the mile-long rap sheet.

As we all got into the Escalade, our driver started things back up, and we set off for the Vadim house I’d been given when I’d arrived in town. Just as we pulled into the basement garage that was always guarded by more Vadim men, Parker began to stir where she lay in the back.

“Get her to my room. We’re not to be disturbed, and no one goes in or out of my room unless explicitly permitted by me. Understood?”

The usual chorus of agreement echoed around the car. We drove into my normal spot beneath the mansion, and I buttoned my jacket as I waited for one of my men to open the door for me. Upon seeing it open, I slid out, tugging bruskly on my suit to settle it in place. I walked around to the trunk, where I nodded for my men to open things up.

The strong smell of gasoline and rubber invaded my nostrils as Pietor opened the door and pulled Parker out with him. She was wobbly, her limbs like cooked pasta, and I couldn’t stop the smirk. She’d been quite the feisty little thing, and for some reason, it tickled me that she actually tried to put up a fight.

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