Page 74 of Innocently Imprisoned By the Bratva

"Tell me again why we're meeting at La Fantasia?" I ask, trying to keep any trace of impatience from seeping into my voice.

Boris grunts and shoves a note in my hand, displaying a cryptic message: Meet me at La Fantasia. Private Room. They'll know to bring you here. The caller.

I feel a gush of energy pass through me. “So, today, we get to meet our mysterious benefactor.”

The three of us exchange looks, the weight of this moment not lost on either one of us.

"Let's go inside and find out who this person is," Boris says at last, taking the lead on it.

We exchange one last wary look before stepping into the dimly-lit club, the smell of stale champagne and expensive perfume assaulting our senses. A hostess appears out of nowhere, her painted smile more than a little unnerving. "I've been expecting you. He's waiting for you in the private room."

"Of course he is," I mutter under my breath as we follow her through the empty club, wondering how she knew who we are and, more importantly, who he is.

"Lev," Damien murmurs, leaning closer to me. "Do you think this 'caller' is on our side, or just another enemy waiting to stab us in the back?"

"Who knows?" I reply with a shrug. "But one thing's for certain: we're about to find out."

***

The hostess leads us down a narrow, dimly-lit hallway that seems to stretch on forever. Shadows dance along the walls, and the air is thick with secrecy. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as we approach the door at the end of the passage.

"Here we are," she says softly, pausing before the door. "He's waiting for you inside." Without another word, she turns and disappears back down the hallway, leaving the three of us standing there, tension coiling around us like a python.

Boris pushes open the door when Damien and I don’t make a move.

The room we step into is luxurious, draped in rich velvet and bathed in a soft golden glow from the chandelier overhead. A man stands by the window, his back to us, staring out into the night.

"Ah, the Zolotov brothers," he murmurs, turning to face us. My first impression is that of a charismatic man, someone who knows how to command a room without even trying. He approaches us, a confident smile playing on his lips. "I'm Nikolai Orlov."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Orlov," I say, trying to sound relaxed despite the unease gnawing at my gut. "What made you bring us here today?” I cut to the chase, ignoring the small talk.

"Lev," Boris warns, but I ignore him.

Nikolai gazes at me, seemingly amused by my brashness. “I own the club and a hundred others like it across the world. I thought there’s no place more befitting than this for what I’m about to propose.”

"Congratulations," Damien says dryly. "So, what can we do for you today?”

Nikolai replies cryptically, his eyes reaching for each of ours. “For now, let's just say I'm here to offer you something you can't refuse."

"Ah, I love a good Godfather reference," I quip, smirking at him. "But seriously, Mr. Orlov, cut the crap and tell us what you want."

He chuckles, an amused look crossing his eyes.

"Very well, Lev," he says. "I want an alliance. A partnership between our families that will benefit us all."

Boris and Damien exchange wary glances, their skepticism clear. But I can't help but wonder if Nikolai Orlov might just be the answer to our problems—or the beginning of an entirely new set of them.

When no one speaks, Nikolai clears his throat, drawing our attention back to him. "I believe it's time for some transparency," he says, his voice steady and confident. "I used Lenny Ramsey to gather information about your family. He was a useful pawn in my plans."

“You what?” Boris growls, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Let me explain," Nikolai continues, unfazed by my brother's anger. "You see, I'm Bratva as well. Our parents were enemies, but we don't have to be. I hate traitors, and when I learned Lenny was embezzling from you, I decided to step in and save the women he wished to use in his wrongdoing. Why involve innocents when it’s the men who cause the chaos, no?"

"Save them?" Damien scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest. "Or use them as leverage to get what you want from us now?"

"Damien has a point," I chime in, trying to hide my own curiosity behind a mask of skepticism. "Why should we trust you, especially after using Lenny like that?"

"Because I knew you wouldn't hesitate to take care of Lenny once you found out his betrayal," Nikolai replies with a shrug. "And I was right. You took care of him, and now I'm offering you an alliance that would benefit both our families."

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