Page 38 of Kidnapped By the Bratva

I slip into the bathroom, closing the door behind me, and lean against the cool tile, trying to make sense of everything. Maxim is a monster. He’s the man who took me, the man who forced me into this marriage. Yet, I can’t shake the way his touch made me feel last night—the way he made me feel alive in a way I haven’t in a long time.

That terrifies me.

I sit on the cool tile floor for a moment, trying to process everything that’s happened. My body still aches, a constant reminder of last night, and my mind is in a whirl of conflicting emotions. I know I shouldn’t feel anything for Maxim—he’s the man who took me, after all. He’s ruthless, cold, and calculated. Yet, I can’t deny the strange pull I feel toward him, the way his touch lingers on my skin, making me want more, even when I hate myself for it.

The door creaks open, and I look up, startled. Maxim steps in, his eyes locking with mine. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but the intensity of his gaze makes my heart race. I’m still sitting on the floor, wrapped in nothing but his oversized T-shirt, feeling small and vulnerable under his scrutiny. I open my mouth to say something, anything, but no words come out. The embarrassment is too much.

Without a word, he walks toward me, his expression unreadable. Before I can react, he scoops me up effortlessly, his strong arms wrapping around me as he lifts me off the floor. My body tenses, but I don’t resist. I’m too surprised by the suddengesture, too overwhelmed by how easy it feels to let him carry me.

He carefully lowers me into the bathtub, turning on the warm water. Then, he lifts my shirt over my head. The heat immediately soothes my aching muscles, and I sink into the tub, letting the tension ease from my body.

I glance up at him, feeling a strange mix of gratitude and confusion. “Thank you,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. It feels strange to say those words to him, but I mean them. For all his cruelty, this moment feels almost… kind.

Maxim doesn’t respond right away. His eyes linger on me for a moment, studying my face as if searching for something. Then, with a nod, he turns to leave, his heavy footsteps echoing against the tiled floor.

Just as he reaches the door, something surges within me, a fire that I’ve been trying to keep down since I learned of my father’s death. I can’t let this go—not his murder, not the injustice of it all. My voice comes out stronger than I expect, filled with a rawness that surprises even me.

“Maxim,” I call out, my words stopping him in his tracks. He turns slightly, looking over his shoulder. “Avenge my father,” I say, my voice steady, determined.

There’s a beat of silence as he stands there, his back still turned to me. I can see his shoulders tense slightly, the muscles in his back rippling beneath his skin. He doesn’t say anything for a long moment, and I begin to wonder if he’s just going to leave without a response.

“I haven’t forgotten,” I continue, my voice softer now but still firm. “I know this is all business to you. I know what this marriage is. My father’s death—it wasn’t supposed tohappen like that. He didn’t deserve it. None of this should have happened.”

Maxim turns fully now, his face still impassive, but there’s a flicker of something in his eyes—something darker, something dangerous. He takes a step toward me, his presence filling the room as he moves closer. The air between us feels thick, charged with tension.

“You think I don’t know that?” His voice is low, a quiet fury ready to erupt. “You think I’ve forgotten what Fernando did to my father? What he did to yours?” He steps closer, his gaze locked on mine, unyielding. “I don’t forget. I certainly don’t forgive.”

I can feel my pulse quicken as he looms over the tub, his intensity wrapping around me like a vise. I swallow hard, but I don’t back down. “Then do it,” I say, my voice firm. “Avenge him. Make them pay for what they did.”

Maxim’s eyes flash with something dark and dangerous, and for a moment, I think he’s going to snap at me. Instead, he leans down, his face inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin.

“They will pay,” he says, his voice a low growl. “Every single one of them.”

I hold his gaze, refusing to look away. For all his faults, I believe him. I can see it in his eyes—the same hatred, the same hunger for revenge that’s burning inside me. He means it.

Maxim straightens up, turning toward the door again. “Rest,” he says, his tone softer now, though still commanding. “You’ll need your strength.”

I watch him go, the door closing behind him with a soft click. The sound lingers in the air, but the weight of our conversation hangs even heavier.

I sink deeper into the warm water, my body finally relaxing, but my mind is racing. The images of my father flash through my head—the way he smiled, the way he cared for me despite everything. He didn’t deserve to die. I squeeze my eyes shut, letting the heat of the water soothe my aching heart.

Maxim may be ruthless, cold, and brutal. But I know one thing for sure now—he hasn’t forgotten. And he won’t stop until he’s exacted his revenge.

For the first time in days, I feel a strange sense of relief, even in the midst of my confusion. At least I know that my father’s death won’t go unanswered. Maxim will see to that.

Chapter Nineteen - Maxim

As I drive toward the Bratva’s main office building, my thoughts keep drifting back to last night. I’ve tried to shake it off, to focus on the business at hand, but the way she felt against me, the way her body responded—fuck. It’s burned into my mind, no matter how hard I try to ignore it. Sophia. She’s not just Kace’s daughter anymore. She’s my wife.

That brings complications I never wanted to deal with.

I clench my jaw, gripping the steering wheel tighter as the memory of her soft moans echoes in my head. I need to stop this. There’s too much going on right now to let her distract me. It was just business. She was just part of the deal.

As I pull up to the office building, the familiar sight of the towering structure brings me back to reality. This is where the real power lies. This is where I need to keep my focus. The future of both the Bratva and the American Mafia rests on the decisions made within these walls.

I step out of the car, adjusting my suit as I head inside. The sleek, polished floors reflect the dim lights overhead as I make my way through the hallways, the weight of what’s about to happen pressing down on me. It’s not just about revenge anymore. It’s about control. Dominance. Keeping the Americans in line while ensuring the Italians pay for what they did.

As I reach the meeting room, the doors open, and I step inside. The room is already filled with top officials from both the Russian and American Mafia, their faces tense but expectant. This is the moment they’ve all been waiting for—the deal that will officially seal our alliance.

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