Page 18 of Pregnant By the Bratva

As she sits there, processing the new reality of her situation, I can’t help but feel a strange sense of respect for her. She’s been dealt a shitty hand, but she’s playing it with all the skill and determination she can muster. That’s something I can work with—something I can use.

“Welcome to the Bratva, Sarah,” I say, my voice carrying a mix of amusement and finality. “Let’s see how far you’re willing to go.”

Chapter Ten

Sarah

Two days have passed since I made my deal with Ivan, and now I find myself sitting in a dimly lit meeting room surrounded by the most powerful men in the Bratva. Ivan has provided me with everything I could ever need, told me countless times I’ll be safe here, and yet I still find myself fighting a hollowness in my stomach.

The tension in the room is palpable, a thick, oppressive weight that settles over my shoulders as I sit across from Ivan, who watches me with those piercing green eyes. He hasn’t said much since we started, simply waiting for me to lay out my plan.

The room is packed with Bratva men, their faces a mix of curiosity and skepticism. They’re not used to seeing someone like me here—an outsider, a former enemy. They know better than to question Ivan’s judgment. Still, I can feel their eyes on me, measuring, judging, wondering if I’m truly worth the risk Ivan has taken.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself before I begin. “I could hack into the Prestons’ accounts easily enough,” I say, my voice clear and confident despite the nerves gnawing at my insides. “The problem is, they’ve already switched the details and moved the money. After what happened, they’re not going to leave anything exposed.”

There’s a murmur of agreement around the table, but the room falls silent again as they wait for me to continue. I glance at Ivan, who gives me a slight nod, his expression unreadable.He’s given me this opportunity, and now it’s up to me to prove my worth.

“In order to get back into their systems,” I continue, “I need access to a top manager’s phone or device. That’s the only way to bypass their security protocols. They’ve tightened everything up since the last breach, but if I can get into one of their devices, I can break through their defenses again.”

The room remains silent, the men around the table exchanging glances. They know what I’m asking for isn’t easy. Getting close enough to a top Preston manager to access their phone is no small feat. It’s risky, and it requires a level of finesse that not everyone in this room possesses.

I’m not finished yet. I turn my gaze to Yuri, the Bratva’s financial manager, who’s sitting a few seats down from Ivan. His face is impassive, but I can see the tension in his posture, the way his fingers drum lightly against the table. He’s nervous, and I know why.

“Yuri,” I say, my voice firm but not accusatory. “Do you remember the day we broke into the Bratva’s system? The day you lost all that money?”

His eyes narrow slightly, and I can see the memory flicker behind them. He nods, though reluctantly. “Of course. It was a massive loss for us.”

I lean forward slightly, my gaze never leaving his. “Do you remember opening a link that day? Something that seemed harmless, maybe even routine?”

There’s a pause, and I see the gears turning in his mind as he searches for the memory. Then, slowly, recognition dawnson his face. He frowns, realization and anger mingling in his expression. “You sent that link?”

I nod, the truth hanging in the air between us. “I did. It was a phishing attack. Once you opened it, I gained access to your device. From there, I had a backdoor into the Bratva’s financial system. That’s how we got in.”

Yuri’s face hardens, his eyes flashing with anger, but there’s also a hint of respect there. He knows how difficult it is to pull off something like that, and now that he understands what happened, he can see the skill involved.

The room buzzes with low murmurs as the other men digest this information. They’re not happy about it, but they can’t deny the effectiveness of the strategy. Now, they know I’m not just some helpless woman they can push around. I’m someone who can deliver results.

Ivan finally speaks, his voice cutting through the tension. “So, you’re saying you need access to one of their top managers’ phones. You’re confident that’s the only way to break into their systems again?”

I meet his gaze, nodding. “Yes. They’ve locked everything down since the last breach. If I can get into one of their devices, I can trace their transactions, track the money, and even disrupt their operations from the inside. I need that access first.”

He leans back in his chair, considering my words. The men around the table watch him closely, waiting for his response. This is the moment that will decide whether they trust me, whether they see me as a valuable asset or a lingering threat.

“You’ve proven your skills,” Ivan says finally, his tone measured. “But this isn’t going to be easy. The Prestons will beon high alert. Getting close to one of their managers will require more than just technical expertise.”

“I know,” I reply, my voice steady. “I also know their systems, their protocols. I can guide your men, help them get what we need. I can do this.”

There’s a moment of silence as Ivan considers my proposal. Then, to my surprise, he smiles—just a faint curve of his lips, but it’s enough to send a shiver down my spine. He’s interested. More than that, he’s impressed.

“Then we’ll do it,” Ivan says, his voice firm with finality. “You’ll work with us to get that access. In return, you’ll have our protection, just as we agreed.”

I nod, relief washing over me, though I keep my expression neutral. This is a victory, but I know better than to show too much emotion in front of these men. They respect strength, not vulnerability.

Yuri, still fuming, shoots me a glare, but he says nothing. He knows I’ve outplayed him, and there’s nothing he can do about it now. The rest of the men seem to accept Ivan’s decision, though I can see the wheels turning in their minds as they reassess their opinions of me.

Ivan doesn’t miss a beat. As the last of the Bratva men leave the room, he turns his attention back to me, his expression unreadable but focused. “So,” he begins, his voice cutting through the tension still hanging in the air, “you know Kace. Where would he transfer the money?”

I pause, letting the question settle as I run through everything I know about Kace Preston. He’s a cautious man, always looking for ways to outmaneuver his enemies. Hewouldn’t put the money somewhere obvious, especially after what happened last time. No, he’d hide it where no one would think to look, somewhere that would seem innocuous.

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