Page 41 of Kidnapped By the Bratva

I stand up, brushing the dirt off my hands, lost in thought as I take in the sad state of the place. I make a mental note to find out what these plants need, maybe fix up the garden myself.It’s not like I have much else to do here, and maybe it’ll give me some peace of mind.

Just as I’m thinking this, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and see Maxim approaching, his expression unreadable as always. My body tenses instinctively at the sight of him. He’s such a complex man—harsh, controlling, yet in certain moments, like the night of our wedding, there’s something softer underneath. Something I don’t understand.

He stops a few steps away, looking around the garden with mild curiosity. “What are you doing out here?” he asks, his deep voice breaking the silence.

I hesitate for a second, unsure how much to share, but then I gesture to the plants. “The garden… it’s dying,” I say simply. “The plants need proper care, the right soil, water, sunlight. They’ve been neglected.”

Maxim raises an eyebrow, glancing around at the drying leaves and browning flowers. “You know a lot about this?” he asks, his tone neutral, but there’s a hint of interest there.

I nod, feeling a little more comfortable as I talk about something I actually enjoy. “Yeah, I’ve always been passionate about gardening and the environment in general. I was part of several NGOs in college, working on conservation projects, trying to make a difference.” I trail off, feeling a bit awkward. Why am I telling him this?

Maxim’s eyes narrow slightly, and for a moment, I wonder what he’s thinking. He’s so hard to read, always keeping his emotions locked away behind that cold exterior. I wait for him to say something dismissive, maybe tell me I’m wasting my time. But instead, he surprises me.

“You think you can fix this garden?” he asks, crossing his arms as he leans against one of the stone pillars.

“I… I don’t know,” I admit, glancing around at the mess. “It’s pretty bad. With the right tools and some time, I could try.”

Maxim nods, his gaze still focused on me. “If it’s something you care about, then do it.”

His words catch me off guard. I wasn’t expecting him to care or even give me permission. He’s never really asked me about what I want or what I enjoy before, and I don’t know how to process the fact that he’s being… supportive? Or maybe he just doesn’t care what I do, as long as it doesn’t interfere with his plans.

Still, the idea of fixing the garden, of bringing something back to life, fills me with a little hope. It’s something to focus on, something that feels like me in the midst of all this chaos.

“I’ll need some supplies,” I say after a moment, testing the waters. “I’ll have to get new soil, some tools, maybe even new plants.”

“Make a list,” he says, straightening up. “I’ll have Artem get everything you need.”

I blink, surprised at how easily he’s agreed. “Really?”

He shrugs, his eyes locking on to mine. “You’re my wife, Sophia. If this is what you want to do, then do it.”

I swallow, nodding slowly. It’s strange, feeling like I have some sort of control over something, even if it’s just a garden. I’m not sure how to feel about the fact that he’s giving me this, but for now, I’ll take it.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, almost unsure of how to express my gratitude without feeling… beholden to him.

I walk closer to him, feeling a small smile tug at the corners of my lips. “I appreciate this, you know,” I say, my voice soft but filled with more certainty than before.

Maxim watches me, his intense gaze never wavering. For a moment, I expect him to brush it off or tell me it doesn’t matter, but instead, his lips curve into a faint smirk. “What’s mine is yours,” he says. “You don’t need permission for it, Sophia. You can do whatever you want.”

His words take me by surprise. There’s a strange sincerity in them, something I didn’t expect from him. Maybe he’s not as bad as I thought. Maybe all of this—the tension between us, the power struggles, the fear—stemmed from the horrible circumstances we were thrown into.

My father’s death, his need for revenge… I realize that, in a way, Maxim’s anger was valid. He’s lost people too. He’s had to carry that same rage I feel, and maybe, just maybe, that’s something we have in common.

A sudden awareness fills the space between us. I meet his eyes, feeling something shift, like I’m seeing him for the first time, not as the man who kidnapped me or the man who married me out of necessity, but as someone who might understand me more than I initially realized.

“That smile suits you,” he says, his voice dropping slightly, a hint of warmth creeping in. “You should wear it more often.”

I blink, caught off guard by the compliment, and before I can stop myself, I blush. The heat spreads across my cheeks, and I look down, embarrassed. How does he do that? How does he make me feel so exposed with just a few words?

Maxim takes a step closer, his body now only inches from mine. His presence feels overpowering, but not in a way thatscares me—more like a force that pulls me in. My breath catches in my throat as I feel the tension between us thicken, the air around us buzzing with something electric. He reaches out, his hand grazing my chin, lifting my face so that I’m looking directly at him.

“You’re beautiful when you blush,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing lightly over my cheek. “I want to see that look on you more often.”

His words send a shiver down my spine, and before I can think, before I can stop it, the distance between us disappears. Our lips crash together, and it’s not gentle like before. This kiss is rough, heated, filled with the arousal that’s been simmering between us since our first time.

Maxim’s hands grip my waist, pulling me flush against him as he deepens the kiss, his tongue demanding entry. I gasp into his mouth, my fingers instinctively finding their way to his hair, tugging slightly as I give in to the heat building between us. He groans into my mouth, his need for me palpable in every touch, every movement.

I don’t know how we ended up here, but I can’t stop it. I don’twantto stop it.

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