Page 64 of The Lazarov Bratva

Thank you for the attention, for the pleasure, for choosing me. Thank you for seeing the good in me.

All things I want to say, but I can’t because in the space of a day, Kristof has shown me more care and attention than anyone else ever has in my life. More than that, in the space of ten minutes, he’s told me all the things I’ve yearned to hear from anyone for years.

To be seen.

To be loved.

“I’m proud of you, Alena,” he says, still petting my hair and cuddling me close as if trying to fuse us together. “I knew you were perfect.”

His words make me cry harder, and my heart swells.

I am good for him.

That is all I care about.

19

KRISTOF

Leaving Alena is the last thing I want to do, but duty calls.

I spent two hours taking care of her after our session, a session that I never expected to end in sex, but just the thought of her begging me to fuck her brings a smile to my face as I drive back to the Orlova manor.

I made sure Alena was showered, washed up, pampered, and well-fed before I locked her back up in the cage. I expect sleep will take her quickly because of the intense punishment. She needs her rest.

Although, can I really call that a punishment if she grew so aroused?

As I take the winding roads toward the manor, it plays on my mind. She was beautiful, obedient, and surprising. I’d prepared myself for more pushback and attitude, but I knew we were cut from the same cloth when she thanked me through her tears.

Alena is mine.

I just need to keep it that way.

When the Orlova Manor gates loom into view, I push Alena from my thoughts. I can’t afford to be distracted here, not when Aleksander has been blowing up my phone for the past twelve hours, demanding information and answers. As I park in front of the manor, my heart tenses slightly at the sight of Nastja’s car. Ivan’s is parked just behind it.

They didn’t tell me they were going to be here.

There must be a reason.

That reason becomes clear the moment I step inside the house, and I’m greeted by Alexei, who gives me a bright smile that then turns apologetic.

“Kristof. I’m going to need your phone.”

“My phone?” I lift a brow and carefully straighten the sleeves of my leather jacket. “What for?”

“Pakhan’s orders. No tech for this meeting.”

We haven’t had a rule like that since the first war that existed between the Families. Aleksander is really taking this seriously. Sighing, I take my phone from my back pocket and pass it across without worry. Even if they look through it, they’ll find no evidence. Besides, it’s not even my real phone. This one is just a clone. My real one is back in my car, and no one is getting into my vehicle without my say-so.

“Thanks.” Alexei takes my phone and adds it to the collection of devices in the box in his hand. “He’s waiting for you in the rear office.”

I nod and step past Alexei, striding away until a thought strikes me, and I pause, turning back on my heel.

“Alexei.”

He lifts his head from the box and straightens immediately. “Sir?”

“Come.”

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