Page 62 of Arranged to Marry the Bratva

I clench my fists at the thought of Anoushka and our unborn child being hurt in the process. I take a few deep breaths and then realize that Dima speaks the truth.

With a heavy sigh, I sit back on my chair and place my head between my hands. “I’m at a loss, Dima,” I say, my voice cracking in a rare show of vulnerability. “I’m so scared for them. For Anoushka and our child.”

“I understand, Brother” Dima says softly, with deep understanding. “I think it’s time we make a phone call first.”

I look up at him and, after a few seconds of silence, put out my hand. Dima looks proud of the decision I made as he hands me my cell phone from the desk I placed it on earlier.

I go through my list until I find the number I need and then press dial.

The phone rings. Once, twice, thrice. My impatience grows only larger, and then, at last, the familiar voice booms through.

“Nikolai?”

“Boris,” I say, dreading the blow I’m about to deliver. “We need all hands on deck, including yours.”

“What happened?” he asks, an alertness to his tone.

"Anoushka and Fedor have been taken, Boris. Their bodyguards were killed, and we've reason to believe this is the work of Demetrius, seeking revenge for an affair Fedor was having with his wife, Yelena."

There is a pause, a silent understanding passing between us. Boris knows what this means, not just for me but for the entire Zolotov family.

"I'll have everyone ready to leave in fifteen minutes," Boris says, his voice steely. “Send me all the facts you have.”

Chapter 26 - Anoushka

I stare at Fedor, bound and bloodied, as the cronies who kidnapped us continue their brutal assault on him. My heart shatters with each blow, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably. I hear a sickening crunch as a fist meets his jaw, and blood pours down his nose.

I try to run forward but can’t. Some of the men hold me back. Then, Fedor’s attackers pull out a whip.

“Noooo!” I scream, tears pouring down my eyes as they lash him below the knee. “Please, just tell us what you want from us!”

But no one answers us. Fedor is going in and out of consciousness, the torture too brutal for his body to take. I stand by helplessly, gripped into place, as I realize that I might be in more danger than I thought.

No one is answering any of my questions. I don’t know where I am. And I wonder… will they torture me too?

Will my baby feel pain?

Would it matter to them if I tell them I’m pregnant?

"Please, stop!" I cry out, my voice filled with desperation and fear, but they don't seem to hear me—or they simply don't care.

"Pathetic," one of the men sneers at Fedor before delivering another punch to his battered body.

"Enough!" an authoritative voice booms. The room falls silent, and eyes turn behind me. I, too, crane my neck, and then, my knees buck under me. I fall to the ground, arms still held upright, before the men lift me up by my waist to keep me standing.

Demetrius, the notorious Bratva boss, enters the scene. My eyes widen in shock, recognizing him as the mastermind behind this torture. It's difficult to contain the anger and resentment that simmer beneath my fear. He must be doing all this, torturing Fedor, for just one reason: his wife.

But what could be possibly want with me?

"Anoushka Zolotov," Demetrius says coldly, his gaze piercing through me. "I didn't expect the pleasure of your company.”

"Let him go," I plead, my voice trembling. "He's done nothing wrong."

"Nothing wrong?" Demetrius scoffs. "He fucked my wife!" he screams. His men whip Fedor again, and Fedor’s painful scream tortures my soul.

"Please, Demetrius," I beg, trying to appeal to any semblance of humanity left within him. "You don't have to do this. This should remain between Yelena and you,” I try to explain how his wife is the one who made her choices in their marriage.

"Silence!" he snaps, silencing me with a cruel glare. "You're lucky I haven't decided your fate yet, Girl. Keep pushing, and it might be worse than his."

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