Page 17 of Kidnapped By the Bratva

He nods, glancing at the car’s open hood. “Mind if I take a look?”

“Please,” I reply, stepping aside to give him room. “I was just about to try a YouTube tutorial, but… yeah, not really my area of expertise.”

He chuckles softly, the sound low and comforting. “YouTube’s good for a lot of things, but cars? Maybe not so much.” He steps closer to the engine, peering inside like he’s done this a hundred times before. “I’m Artem, by the way.”

“Sophia,” I say, offering him a small smile. There’s something about his presence that feels solid, dependable. Not like Jackson, whose charm always feels rehearsed. Artem seems real.

He starts fiddling with a few parts under the hood, his hands moving with practiced precision. “Sounds like it couldbe an issue with the alternator. Either that, or maybe a battery problem. Did you notice anything weird before the car shut down? Flickering lights, strange sounds?”

I shake my head, leaning against the side of the car. “No, nothing like that. It just… stopped. One second it was fine, and the next, it was dead.”

“Happens sometimes,” Artem says, nodding to himself. “Don’t worry, it’s probably not too serious. I can help you get it sorted out.”

I watch as he works, feeling oddly reassured by his calm demeanor. There’s something about him that feels different from most men I’ve met. Maybe it’s his quiet confidence, or the fact that he’s not trying to make small talk or impress me. He’s just helping, without any expectations.

“You seem to know a lot about cars,” I say, trying to keep the conversation light.

“I’ve been around them a lot,” he replies, glancing up at me with a small grin. “You pick up a few things over time.”

I nod, watching him as he continues to work. There’s something about the way he moves—so sure of himself, so comfortable in his own skin. It’s… refreshing.

“Thanks for stopping,” I add after a moment. “I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.”

“No problem,” Artem says, his voice calm. “You’re lucky I came by when I did. Could’ve been stuck out here for a while.”

As he leans in closer to the engine, checking something under the hood, I find myself relaxing a little more. It’s strange how easy it is to talk to him, how normal this feels, even thoughwe’re complete strangers. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t seem to have any agenda—he’s just here to help, and that’s it.

After everything going on in my life lately, the simple kindness of a stranger is a relief.

Artem straightens up from under the hood and wipes his hands again on the rag from his back pocket. His gaze turns thoughtful, as if he’s processing something unexpected. “It’s strange,” he mutters, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Someone did this on purpose.”

I blink, caught off guard by the shift in his tone. “What do you mean?”

He glances at me, then back at the engine, pointing to some exposed wires. “The car didn’t just break down. The wires were deliberately tampered with. Whoever did this wanted you stranded.”

I take a step back, feeling a chill creep up my spine despite the heat of the afternoon. “Why would anyone do that?”

Artem shuts the hood of the car with a decisive thud, wiping his hands one more time as he turns to face me fully. His expression shifts again, growing more serious. “It’s like they wanted your car to break down in the middle of nowhere… where you’d be alone.”

My heart starts to race, the sense of relief I’d felt only moments ago completely evaporating. The idea of someone deliberately sabotaging my car doesn’t make any sense—why would anyone target me? I’m not some important person with enemies. I swallow hard, trying to calm myself as I look at him.

“That doesn’t make sense. I don’t have anyone who would—” I stop myself, glancing around nervously, the emptiness of the highway suddenly feeling much more isolating.

Artem takes a step toward me, his expression softening as if he’s trying to reassure me. “I’m sure you’re confused,” he says, his voice low and calm. “Trust me. Whoever did this… they wanted access to you. Alone.”

It takes a moment for his words to sink in, and when they do, my heart drops into my stomach. There’s something in his voice that’s different now. Something cold and calculating. I stare at him, the realization dawning far too late. This wasn’t just a coincidence. This was planned. My breath catches, and I take a step back, but his eyes follow my every move. That once comforting smile is gone, replaced with a grin that chills me to my core.

He steps closer, his voice dropping to a quiet murmur. “They wanted you vulnerable, Sophia.”

My blood runs cold as I process the situation. He’s not some helpful stranger. He’s the one who did this. He’s the reason my car broke down. Now I’m alone with him.

Without thinking, I turn on my heel, ready to run, my heart pounding in my chest. I don’t get far. His hand shoots out, gripping my arm tightly before I can take another step. I try to pull away, but he’s too strong, his fingers like iron bands around my wrist.

“Let go!” I shout, panic surging through me. I yank at my arm, my pulse skyrocketing as I twist and turn, desperate to break free. His grin widens, and that’s when I see it—the needle in his other hand, glinting in the sunlight.

“No!” I scream again, but before I can do anything, I feel a sharp prick at the side of my neck. The sting is brief, but the effects are immediate. Warmth spreads through my veins, slow and insidious, and my limbs start to feel heavy.

I struggle, trying to push him away, trying to move, but it’s like my body isn’t responding. My legs buckle, and I reach out to steady myself, but there’s nothing to hold on to. My vision starts to blur, the world tilting dangerously. I’m losing control.

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