Page 31 of Forced By the Bratva

“Thank you for sharing,” Alyssa said softly. “It’s not that I’m not scared. I am, but I don’t want fear to rule my life. I have lived under dictatorship for so long with Jones that I need to face my fears.”

Moving to my knees before her, I took her hands in mine. “I am sorry; I didn’t mean to make you feel as if I was dictating you.”

Alyssa looked at me, a soft smile forming on her lips. But her eyes were filled with pain and tears. “It’s not you,” she said, wiping her eyes. “My mother died when I was still very young.” She swallowed hard and turned her gaze to the window.

I could feel her pain as she continued. “I grew up learning the ropes of Jones’s sordid business. He had me doing his dealings and also…”

She wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks as she inhaled deeply. “I was forced to keep his customers happy.”

As she spoke, my anger flared up again, but not at her. I wanted to storm out and teach Jones a life lesson. How could anyone treat a young woman that way?

“I was lucky, I guess,” Alyssa said as she started sobbing. “I wasn’t forced to sleep with them like some other girls.” Alyssa tried inhaling, but her breathing was erratic. “Their hands, I can still feel their disgusting hands on me.”

Sitting up on my knees, I pulled her into my arms. “Please don’t hate me, I had no choice.” She breathed out into my neck, her voice cracking.

“Never, princess, never,” I whispered. As I carefully picked her up, Alyssa wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her head into my chest. I carried her to my bed and gently laid her down.

Sitting down next to her, I tenderly played with her hair. “I am sorry for all you have gone through. That life is over; you are safe now.”

Alyssa glanced up at me, trying her best to smile. My heart ached for her, and my rage at Jones was almost unbearable. I would deal with him in due time though. I silently vowed that he would not get away with what he had done.

“Can you tell me about a close encounter you had?” Alyssa asked softly. Her voice was still a bit shaky, but her breathing had steadied.

Laying down next to her, I pulled her into my arms. Taking a deep breath, I kissed her forehead. “Sure,” I replied. I had never spoken to anyone about it. My family knew, of course. But it wasn’t something we talked about.

“The four of us grew up together in an orphanage. Before we became the Ungodly Brothers and took on one surname, we had other means of earning our keep.”

Alyssa didn’t move as I spoke; she just lay on my chest, listening. Her hand moved tenderly left and right. She appeared to fill me with a calmness, which I liked.

“We were petty thieves. We would steal and do odd jobs here and there when we could find some. I was also involved in underground fighting.” Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. Thinking back on those years, it wasn’t a place I wanted to go. But I understood her need to know more about me.

“I was quite good at fighting. Well, I suppose I still am,” I said softly. “One night, my sponsor came to me before a big fight. He asked me to throw the fight. I had never done that before and didn’t want to. He told me if I didn’t, there would be consequences.”

“So did you?” Alyssa interrupted me as she looked into my eyes.

Taking a deep breath, I continued. “As I was saying. I had never before, and I never would. I entered the ring, determined to win. It took about three rounds, but I won with a knockout. I felt very proud of myself. But as I got out of the shower, my sponsor entered the locker room. He was pissed at me.”

Alyssa took my hand and squeezed it tightly. Her calmness made me feel better, and I continued. “After a screaming match, he left. His last words to me were, watch your back. I gathered my things and left through the back entrance. From there, I had to go down a narrow alley to the gate where Mila and Konstantin were waiting.”

I took a deep breath before speaking further. My mind was whirling with all the memories and the emotions they brought.

“In the distance, I saw them as I entered the alley. I heard a loud bang. Turning, the flash of a muzzle blinded me, but it was too late. My chest instantly burned; I saw the thick red liquid flowing through my shirt. I knew I had been shot. I went down on my knees, and then three guys were on top of me. They beat the living hell out of me.”

Glancing at the window I inhaled deeply again, my chest stung. The memories of that day had been buried for so long that I had almost forgotten the pain I had suffered.

“I heard Mila screaming as they came running over. Before they got to me, the men had left. I was barely conscious when they came to my side. The two of them dragged me to the car and took me to hospital. But that was when things changed. It left a lasting impression on them.”

Alyssa lifted her head as she spoke. “I’m so sorry, Piotr.”

I tried to smile at her as I nodded. “It was in the past, but I was in a coma for about a month. They thought they had lost me. Once I was better, we decided to form the organization. This way, we could protect each other, stick together, and make our lives work. The three of them decided I was the most logical person and, therefore, I would be in charge. However, Leon is my right-hand man, and I make no decisions without him.”

Alyssa pushed herself up and leaned closer, kissing my cheek as she whispered. “They made the right choice.”

Kissing her forehead, I decided to give her a chance. Even though I wanted to protect her, I knew she needed my support. “Okay, you can join us,” I whispered in her ear.

Beaming, she hugged me. “Thank you, you won’t be sorry.”

“Just promise me you won’t be reckless. Learn for us and know what you are getting yourself into. Don’t go stumbling into things.”

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