Page 44 of Forced Bratva Prisoner

“I have been,” I confirm. But I know that the Dubrovs' version of torture is not at all what I have been doing to Sasha. I can’t tell him that, though. I don’t want to come across as weak. My entire plan was to make her life an absolute misery. A living hell.

What have I been doing? Taking away her luxury. I mean, honestly, can I even call that torture?

“So, the entire circle of allies knows that she’s your wife now. They know what’s going on. Rico obviously made such a scene that it caught everyone’s attention. They are all talking about it amongst themselves. Danil is sure to find out where his daughter is sooner rather than later because of that.”

“No, our allies won’t give that information to Balakin. I trust them.”

“But what is your plan from this point on?”

“Just be patient, man. I’m taking this slow. It’s a slow burn. I have her, that’s what counts. At the moment, her father is probably going crazy wondering where she is. I want that. I want him to be suffering with worry and stress over his precious little girl.”

Maxim seems unconvinced. He stands up and paces around his office.

“If you don’t want Balakin to know where she is yet, why did you bring her to the party? It seems risky.”

“Because now our allies know that I have her and that I have the leverage against that asshole. I guess I was making a statement. Introduce her as my wife and show them that I am in control.”

“Well, it certainly caused a stir. That’s for sure. A lot of people are asking a lot of questions,” Maxim says, pulling a bottle of sparkling water from his small office fridge. “You want one?”

“No, thanks. Well, let them ask questions. They’ll see what I’m up to soon enough.”

Maxim returns to his chair behind his desk and leans back, stretching his legs out in front of him. “OK, just keep me in the loop. It’s good to know what’s happening on your side so that if Balakin does try anything we can be ready.”

“Oh, I’ll be ready.” I smile darkly. “That asshole is going to get what’s coming to him. You don’t tear someone’s family away like that and not see the karma of those actions.”

The rest of the meeting with Maxim, I do my best to focus and get through it without thinking about Sasha and what did, or didn’t, happen this morning.

Once we sort out what we need to go through I head out, ready to get home. I want to know what Sasha is up to. I have my guards watching her every move, so I know she can’t get out of the house, but I am just curious what she’s been doing since this morning’s awkwardness.

I also want to know how she is going to act towards me after all of that.

I drive back towards home and realize that I don’t even know how I am going to act towards her. I still feel a lot of tension and possibly some confusion. Because, again, she started with me this morning. I didn’t do anything to force the issue, even though I definitely wanted to. No. No, she is here for one reason, and one reason only.

I need to stop letting my mind and body wander like this.

I park outside and see Chiara’s car in the driveway. My guess is that Maxim told her what happened at the party and she’s here to check on Sasha.

In the kitchen, Penny lets me know that the girls are out on the patio despite the colder weather.

When I walk outside, Chiara is her usual friendly self. Sasha seems awkward and stiff. But I can’t take my eyes off her. The more I look at her, the more the images of what happened this morning flash through my mind.

“I want to take Sasha shopping later this week,” Chiara says, standing, ready to leave.

I turn towards her. She wants to take Sasha out without me. I’m not sure I like that idea. Even if I send a guard with them, it’s risky.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Good. Let me know,” Chiara replies before heading out.

I walk closer to Sasha, standing right in front of her and looking down at her. “Shopping?” I glare at her.

She is here to be tortured, not to go shopping. I am meant to be making her unhappy, yet she is sitting out here on the patio having an afternoon chat like it’s a girls' tea party.

“She just invited me. I didn’t ask,” she replies defensively.

“I see. So you don’t want to go shopping?”

“I—um—no, maybe. It would be nice to just get out a little. But I don’t have any money, so I guess it would just be to walk around. That’s all.”

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