Page 1 of Knocked-Up Bratva Prisoner

Chapter 1 - Clara

Loud music pulses from outside in the garden area, where a white tent is set up to accommodate all of my uncle's guests. My uncle always goes overboard with these parties. He invites everyone, perhaps trying to impress them all. Who knows. I’m bored out of my mind watching all of his allies mingle, chat, laugh and drink.

To anyone else, I guess it looks like an incredible evening; to me, it’s just another reminder that my uncle never lets me do anything fun.

Even at these parties, I am controlled—how to stand, what to say. Ugh. I can’t wait for it to be over.

My uncle is watching me like a hawk. Ever since he took over raising me when I was really young, he’s been so strict and overbearing. I’ve hardly been able to have any real experiences in life.

I look across the sea of faces, people I know, but not really. I spot Oleg Dubrov, one of the newest alliances my uncle has made—an unstable alliance that I am not even convinced will last that long.

Still, it means all of the Dubrov brothers have been attending our events lately, and they are all so hot. Oleg is here, I wonder if his other brother is here yet? I stand on my tip toes looking around for the hottest Dubrov—Alexei.

Of course, he’s also one of the people responsible for kidnapping me a few months ago. So, you could say I’m a bit nervous around him.

It wasn’t as scary as it might sound. They were only trying to get my friend Tia back after my uncle took her. I had no ideaabout my uncle'sother life. His alter ego, as I like to view it, because it’s all so new and strange to me.

I’m only just adjusting to the idea that my whole family is part of the Bratva mafia.

He kept me sheltered from it, but after the kidnapping, it was impossible not to come clean.

So, now I know—and I’m learning new things every day.

I can’t find Alexei in the crowd. He’s my favorite of all the brothers, but I have to be careful around him. Ever since kidnapping me, Alexei has been flirting heavily.

Of course I love the attention.

But if my uncle caught me enjoying it, there would be hell to pay.

I chuckle quietly to myself. I enjoy Alexei’s advances, but I also continue to give him the cold shoulder. It’s just too much drama, I think, to date a Dubrov. Apart from my uncle having a literal shit fit, they are a dangerous family.

“Giorgio.”

I hear someone calling my uncle and turn towards the loud voice.

My uncle was on his way towards me, but now he’s sidetracked. Should I take this chance and disappear into the crowd? I don’t feel like going on some side mission my uncle is sure to give me.Meet this new client, have a drink with these boring old men—no thanks.

I duck into the crowd and quickly weave my way towards the bar. I think I need more champagne if I am going to survive this already too-long night.

I keep my head down and push quietly past people, right into the chest of a really tall guy wearing a pitch-black suit. My eyes trace up the perfectly tailored, tight fitting outfit, over the very broad shoulders, toned body, and lightly stubbled jaw line of Alexei Dubrov.

My heart beats heavy in my chest when I realize that I’ve walked right into him, and now his hand is resting on my waist.

I chew at my lower lip.

“Clara, you look more beautiful than ever.” His deep sultry voice purrs through me like a lion.

“Alexei,” I say, curt and short.

“Have you been behaving so far? If you’re bored of that, we could always get out of here together.” The grin that spreads across half of his mouth, creating a deep dimple on one side of his cheek—I pull my eyes away from his lips. Don’t do it. Don’t flirt back.

I grin back, sly and mischievous.

My hand has been resting on his chest since I bumped into him. To anyone watching, this would appear to be a very cozy scene indeed.

I slowly drop my hand away, letting my fingers trace over the sculpted muscles of his stomach. Holy fuck, he is built like a demigod.

Clara, you are asking for trouble.

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