Page 46 of The Bratva's Secret Twins

What if I hadn’t owned half the city, including law enforcement? I would’ve lost her forever.

I gritted my teeth and tightened my fists at the mere thought.

She was an extension of me now; I wouldn’t let her go—never. Her defiance and desire to run away from me was like a game, a game I would love to play. I would play to win, and when I did, I would punish her however I deemed fit.

While I stood in front of my mansion, the anger still simmered beneath the surface, but eventually, the amusement won out. I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself, thinking how futile her efforts were.

Poor girl. She had no idea what she was up against. I was the master of this game; I was the one calling the shots. Besides, I’d seen this movie before, and I knew it ended how it always ended; she’d lose, and I’d win—rinse repeat. Same old, same old.

A man of my caliber ought to have eyes and ears everywhere, the law enforcement included. She should’ve known that, but I guessed she hadn’t.

Peter must’ve been friendly with her when he’d found her wandering the streets. He always had the effect with his innocent looks. But that dirty cop was one of the worst of them.

She was like a sheep surrounded by a pack of wolves, and I was the alpha.

I waited patiently for her to step out of the vehicle, but she was just sitting there, glancing around. She was obviously cooking up something; her mind must’ve been thinking of ways to escape, but there was no way she’d leave the compound this evening. She was surrounded with nowhere to go. What other choice did she have? She was caught, and now, she would have to face the consequences of her folly.

She frowned at me from within the car, but I didn’t care. She was back to me now, and that was all that mattered.

I squinted as she continued to glance around the compound.

She was a brilliant woman; I knew that for sure. The fact that she was looking around meant that she was up to something. She was clearly calculating her next move.

It seemed ridiculous, and I smirked at the absurdity of it, but then again, I was a bit curious to know what she was planning. She’d almost succeeded once, after all.

Vivian was subtly studying her environment, and like a detective, she seemed to be mapping out a plan in that innovative mind of hers.

What are you up to, milaya?

Whatever she was scheming would be useless. She was back at my place, and there was nothing she could do about it. Yet a part of me still admired her resilience. She wasn’t one to give up easily, and I loved that she was a fighter. Even when the odds were against her, she was still fighting. She wasn’t finished yet; there was a flicker of determination burning in her eyes. It was both hot and infuriating at the same time.

Don’t underestimate her. She’s capable of doing anything just to elude you. She knows you’re mad at her, and she would do anything to get away. You let down your guard once; don’t do that again.

That was true. It wasn’t a good idea to underestimate one’s opponent in any game. This was a game; I was the master, and she was the pawn—or so I’d let myself believe.

You keep forgetting this girl is different. She’s a smart one. If you overestimate yourself, you will lose her. Act now, Daniil. She’s planning something.

Indeed, she was. But what plan would possibly work? She was on my turf, and my men were everywhere.

I took gentle steps forward and locked eyes with her.

“Step out of the car!” I commanded.

She looked me dead in the eyes, her entire body shaking. She was anxious about something, maybe whatever she was about to do.

I’m telling you, she’s about to do something drastic.

Peter, the officer who had brought her to me, opened his side of the door and had almost stepped out of the car when she immediately, with a fierce cry, unleashed all her pent-up energy, kicking the door with every ounce of strength she possessed. The officer, caught off guard, stumbled out of the vehicle, his eyes wide with surprise.

Vivian didn’t hesitate; she grabbed the door handle and yanked the door shut behind him. The slam echoed through the air, a loud crack that seemed to reverberate through every inch of the house.

I told you she was up to something.

My heart leaped into my throat as I watched her launch herself into the driver’s seat without losing a nanosecond, almost moving too fast for me to process. Her hands grasped for the keys, still dangling in the ignition.

She seemed anxious, her nerves frazzled, and it was almost like I could hear the sound of her heart pounding in her chest.

I was too impressed to even give any commands.

---