Page 25 of Forced Bratva Prisoner

I nod, and we sit in silence for a moment.

After a while, Maxim leans over and grabs my shoulder, squeezing it tightly.

“Look, Leon. I am going to leave this whole thing alone. It’s yours to do with as you wish. But I need you to know that if anything happens, if you need me at any point, I am just a phone call away. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it, okay?”

My heart warms at his words.

Maxim and I have always been close, even when we were kids.

I smile. “Thanks, Max. I really appreciate it.”

“Maybe you should let her out of the room?” He shrugs. “I wouldn’t mind meeting her.”

“It’s risky, with the mood she seems to be in.”

“Well, she can’t go anywhere, and you said it was voluntary.”

“I suppose you are right. What will Chiara think of all of this?” I glance out at the garden, where the kids are playing around the wedding arch, pulling at the flowers while Chiara tries to chase them away as they grin and bolt from her.

“Do you remember how she and I met?” Max laughs.

“Good point. Okay, I’ll go get her. Do you want to update Chiara on what is going on?”

“Probably best, hey.” Max stands up and heads out into the garden.

I take a deep breath, pulling my thoughts together before heading upstairs to fetch my wife.

Chapter 8 - Sasha

After a long while of shouting all my frustration at his closed bedroom door, my throat starts hurting, and I feel too tired to bother carrying on. It’s not like it’s making a difference, anyway. I was really rude, which isn’t normal for me. I’m usually so poised and polite. I know it’s because I am terrified of my father back home, so I prefer to go as unnoticed as possible.

But for some reason, I just hit my limit with this asshole after he threw me in the bedroom and locked the door. I hate the idea of sharing a room with him and the stark reality of the fact that he expects us to share his bed.

And why the hell did I enjoy that kiss after our wedding ceremony? I think I am also a bit angry with myself about that, too.

I huff loudly and flop down onto the bed. I want to get out of this dress, but there is nothing here for me to change into, and there is no way in hell I am going to have him come in and find me buck ass naked in his room. He’ll get the wrong idea for sure. Because that is not going to happen.

Maybe under other circumstances. He is freaking gorgeous.

Nope. What in the world am I thinking?

I sigh again and grab a pillow, throwing it over my face to try and blot out my thoughts.

But the pillow smells like his cologne. Wild forests.

I throw it across the room, knocking over something on his chest of drawers, which falls to the floor with a loud crash.

But even that doesn’t have him running in here to see what I am up to.

I lie alone for a long time, finally managing to calm myself. Shouting at him did feel good. Even though it didn’t seem to have an effect on him, it made me feel better. I got a lot of frustration out in the process.

I roll onto my side, pulling the long dress with me, and curl up into a tight ball, closing my eyes for a bit.

Whatever. None of this matters. I mean, if I was back home, it wouldn’t be any better than this, that’s for sure.

I am about to drift off to sleep when I hear the door unlocking.

I sit up quickly, ready for almost anything.

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