Page 16 of Pregnant By the Bratva

She doesn’t respond, just watches me for a moment longer, as if making sure I’m actually going to comply. When she’s satisfied, she turns on her heel and exits the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her. The message is clear: I’m expected downstairs, and any delay won’t be tolerated.

I let out a slow breath, trying to steady myself. This is it. Whatever Ivan wants from me, whatever game he’s planning to play next, it’s starting now. There’s no room for hesitation, no time to wallow in my anger or fear. I have to be sharp, focused, ready for whatever he throws at me.

I stand up, my legs a little shaky from the weight of everything that’s happened, but I force myself to move. There’s no use delaying the inevitable. The sooner I face Ivan, the sooner I can figure out what my next move should be.

As I step out of the room, I take a quick glance at the hallway. The house is quiet, almost eerily so, the only sound the soft padding of my feet against the plush carpet. The luxury ofthe surroundings feels like a cruel joke, a stark contrast to the reality of my situation. I push those thoughts aside, focusing instead on what lies ahead.

Chapter Nine

Ivan

I sit back on the leather couch in my living room, the warmth from the fire crackling in the fireplace seeping into the room. The shower I took earlier washed away the grime of the day, leaving me refreshed, but the thoughts in my mind are anything but clean. I’ve changed into something more comfortable—dark jeans and a simple black T-shirt—but the casual clothes do little to soften the sharp edge of my thoughts.

I’m waiting for Sarah—my little prisoner, as I’ve come to think of her. She should be arriving any minute now, escorted by one of the house staff. The same woman who’s been keeping an eye on her since I brought her here. I’m curious to see how Sarah’s holding up after everything—curious to see if the fight in her has dulled or if it’s sharpened into something more dangerous.

I find my thoughts drifting back to the moment she took off her shirt in that cold, dim cell. The image of her standing there, defiant despite the fear in her eyes, the curve of her body barely concealed by the thin fabric of her bra—it’s a sight that’s been hard to shake. There’s no denying that she’s sexy, with a body that could easily distract even the most disciplined of men.

Iremind myself to stay focused. Sarah isn’t just some woman; she’s a weapon, and one that’s been wielded by my enemy for years.

She’s not to be underestimated. That much is clear. She’s smart, resourceful, and she’s been neck-deep in the dirty workof the Preston family. Kace trusted her with some of the most sensitive tasks, including the one that hit us hardest—stealing Bratva’s money. It was her skills, her cunning, that made it possible. The woman is no angel. If anything, she’s trouble wrapped in a deceptively appealing package.

I can’t afford to let my guard down around her. She might be in my house, under my control, but that doesn’t mean she’s harmless. Far from it. Sarah’s proven that she’s capable of doing whatever it takes to survive, and that makes her dangerous. I need to keep that at the forefront of my mind, no matter how tempting it is to get distracted by her looks.

The door to the living room opens, and I straighten, pushing those thoughts aside as I focus on the present. The woman steps in first, giving me a brief nod, then steps back to reveal Sarah behind her. She’s still wearing the same clothes from before, though they’re slightly rumpled now, a sign of the tension and sleepless nights she’s undoubtedly endured.

As our eyes meet, I see a flicker of something in hers—defiance, fear, maybe a mix of both. She’s trying to keep it together, but I can tell the strain is getting to her. Good. It means she’s human after all, not some untouchable force of nature. It means she can be broken.

“Come in,” I say, my voice calm but commanding. “We have some things to discuss.”

She hesitates for a fraction of a second, then steps forward, her posture tense but controlled. I watch her closely, noting every movement, every shift in her expression. She’s been thrown into the deep end, and now it’s time to see if she’ll sink or swim.

“Sit,” I say, gesturing to the spot on the couch next to me. My tone leaves no room for argument, and I watch as Sarah hesitates for just a moment before complying. She moves cautiously, her eyes never leaving mine as she lowers herself onto the plush leather cushion. The tension in her shoulders is unmistakable, but she’s doing her best to hide it, to appear composed even when I know she’s anything but.

A grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. I like that she’s being obedient, though I can sense the fire still burning beneath the surface. There’s something satisfying about seeing this once-defiant woman, who’s caused me so much trouble, sitting next to me, waiting for whatever comes next.

“So,” I begin, leaning back casually, my eyes never leaving hers, “you’ve been quiet since you got here. No more biting remarks? No insults? I was almost starting to miss the sarcasm.”

She glances at me, her green eyes flashing with something between annoyance and amusement. “Just trying to figure out where this is going,” she replies, her tone dry. “I didn’t realize I was supposed to keep you entertained.”

I chuckle at that, genuinely amused. “You’ve done a decent job so far. It’s not often I find someone with your… spirit.”

Sarah rolls her eyes, but there’s a slight curve to her lips that tells me she’s not entirely immune to the banter. “Glad to be of service,” she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I study her for a moment, enjoying the way she’s trying to maintain some control in this situation. It’s entertaining, watching her navigate the thin line between defiance and submission. I didn’t bring her here just to trade quips. There are more serious matters to discuss.

“Let’s cut to the chase, then,” I say, my tone shifting to something more serious. “Kace Preston. You were loyal to him for years, did his dirty work, risked your life for him. Now, he’s tried to kill you. Are you still planning to stay loyal to him?”

I watch her closely as I ask the question, looking for any sign of hesitation, any flicker of emotion that might give her away. For a moment, her expression is unreadable, but then she laughs—a short, bitter sound that holds none of the warmth it should.

“Loyal to Kace?” she repeats, shaking her head. “I was, but that was before he sent someone to kill me.”

Her words are sharp, but I can see the hurt behind them, the way her voice tightens ever so slightly. It’s clear she’s not just angry—she’s wounded. The betrayal has cut deep, and even though she’s trying to brush it off with sarcasm, the pain is still there, simmering beneath the surface.

I lean in a little closer, my gaze steady on hers. “Good,” I say, my voice low. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

She looks at me, and for a brief moment, I see something vulnerable in her eyes before she quickly masks it with a sardonic smile. “What, you’re happy to hear that I’ve been stabbed in the back?”

“Happy isn’t the right word,” I reply, my grin widening. “It works in my favor. A wounded animal is easier to tame, after all.”

---