Page 23 of Kidnapped By the Bratva

I nod, appreciating Timur’s insight. The last thing I want is another distraction, but ignoring Fernando could be a mistake. If he’s growing as fast as we think, we’ll need to act sooner rather than later. Still, I’m not concerned. Fernando may be smart, but the Italians don’t have the same reach or resources we do. They’ll be a challenge, but not one we can’t handle.

“Keep your eyes on him,” I order, turning my attention back to the game. “We’ll watch Fernando’s next moves, and if he becomes a problem, we’ll deal with him. No need to act just yet.”

Timur nods, though his expression remains tense. “Just be careful, Maxim. Fernando’s not to be underestimated.”

I offer him a sharp grin. “I never underestimate my enemies, Timur. I know when to strike.”

Timur sighs, moving his last piece across the board, and I checkmate him with ease. He curses under his breath, shaking his head. “Should’ve seen that coming.”

I chuckle, standing up from the table. “You’re getting better. Not good enough, though.”

Just as I’m about to sit back down, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and glance at the screen, and immediately, a grin spreads across my face. There it is—a little red dot moving on the map, right where I expected it to be.

“Well, well,” I murmur, slipping the phone back into my pocket. “It seems our little prisoner’s on the move.”

Timur raises an eyebrow, still annoyed from his loss at chess. “Sophia?”

I nod, grinning wider. “She’s restless. Probably trying to find a way out. It’s cute, really. Like a pet trying to escape fromits cage.” I shake my head and stand up, stretching my arms. “I’ve got to deal with her before she gets any bright ideas.”

Artem chuckles from his spot by the wall, his arms still crossed. “What’s she gonna do, walk right out the front door?”

I smirk. “She might try. She won’t get far. That anklet makes sure of that.”

Timur leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. “You talk about her like she’s some rebellious teenager sneaking out past curfew.”

I glance over my shoulder at him, my grin widening. “That’s because she is—at least in her head. She thinks she’s clever, that she can outsmart me.” I pause, my tone shifting to something almost mocking. “She’s not. She’s just a little girl playing in a world she doesn’t understand.”

Artem snorts. “So, what’s the plan; you want to drag her back, put her in a timeout?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Something like that. I think it’s time for another reminder of where she stands.” I grab my jacket from the back of the chair and throw it on. “She’s been quiet for too long, and now she’s starting to test the limits. Maybe it’s time to show her just how small those limits really are.”

Timur watches me for a moment before shaking his head, a small smirk on his lips. “You really enjoy this, don’t you?”

I pause at the door, glancing back at both of them. “What can I say? She’s a fun project.” My grin fades slightly as I turn back toward the hallway. “Make no mistake, I won’t let her become a problem. She’s useful now. When she’s not… we’ll deal with her like any other loose end.”

Artem nods. “Fair enough. Just don’t take too long, Boss. We’ve got bigger fish to fry.”

As I walk toward the door, Timur calls after me, his voice laced with amusement. “You sure you’re not getting attached to her? She’s not like the usual prisoners we deal with.”

I stop and glance back, raising an eyebrow. “Attached to her.” I let out a short laugh. “Don’t mistake my patience for something it’s not, Timur. She’s a means to an end. I’m just making sure she understands her role in this.”

“Yeah, but there’s something different about how you handle her.” Artem chimes in from his spot, his eyes watching me carefully. “You’re… enjoying it, a bit too much, maybe?”

I turn fully, my eyes narrowing slightly. “Sophia Preston is nothing more than leverage. That’s it. As long as she plays her part, she stays alive. If she steps out of line, I’ll deal with her.” My voice drops a bit, cold and sharp. “It’s strategy. She’s Kace’s Achilles’ heel.”

“Just be careful,” Timur says, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. “She might end up more trouble than you think. Women like her don’t just stay in line forever.”

I meet his gaze, my lips curling into a slow grin. “That’s the fun part, isn’t it?” I turn back toward the door, my voice dropping just loud enough for them to hear. “She thinks she has options. I’m going to remind her she doesn’t.”

The room falls silent for a moment, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Artem and Timur exchange a glance, but neither of them says anything. They know better. I’m not interested in debate. Sophia is mine to control, and I’ll handle her however I see fit.

I start down the hallway, my footsteps echoing against the hardwood floor as I make my way toward her room. The house is quiet, save for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. Each step brings me closer to her, and the anticipation builds inside me. She’s been too quiet lately, but now she’s testing her boundaries. I expected it, of course—no one stays compliant forever. Especially not someone like her, who’s been sheltered her whole life, coddled by her father.

The thought of her trying to escape, to outsmart me, almost makes me laugh. She still doesn’t get it. She doesn’t understand that every move she makes, I’m already five steps ahead. The tracking device, the cameras, the security—there’s nowhere she can go without me knowing.

Chapter Twelve - Sophia

The moment I step out of the room, I realize the door wasn’t even locked. For a second, I pause, my heart racing.

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