Page 65 of Paid for By the Bratva

"Your brothers…They were taken by some enemies and needed help,” the words spilling out as fast as my racing heart beats.

"Are they okay?" she inquires, her hand instinctively going to her chest.

"Safe and sound," I assure her, feeling relieved just saying the words. "Fedor and I got there in time. You see, Nikolai called when you were asleep and…"

I tell her all that happened.

Once the story is complete, Lara's face crumples with emotion, and she throws her arms around me. "Thank you," she whispers into my ear, her breath warm against my skin. "Thank you for looking after them. Without you, god knows what could have happened."

“They would have done the same for me, I’m sure,” I try to comfort her.

She looks up at me with a smile and takes my hand in her own. “After tonight, I know they will. At least from this point on, you’re going to get along like peas in a pod.”

“You really think so?” I ask curiously.

“I know so,” she whispers.

"At last. That’s a relief, my love," I murmur, holding her close. I hear her chuckle into my chest.

Chapter 23 - Lara

The bass pounds in time with my heartbeat as Anoushka and I chat over cocktails. The atmosphere is electric, a symphony of laughter and clinking glasses that fills my senses. I feel alive, free. Life’s finally falling into place, it feels.

"Another round?" Anoushka asks, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “To celebrate your brothers and Dima finally coming around to friendly terms?”

"Sure, why not?" I reply, feeling a rush of warmth from the alcohol and camaraderie. "We deserve a little fun, right?"

Our drinks arrive, and Anoushka is now regaling me with tales of her latest shopping spree when a stout man catches my eye.

Even before I see him, I know. With a racing heart, I crane my neck just a little, fearful that he’d see me.

Marv.

He's sitting in a dimly lit booth, one arm draped over the shoulders of a statuesque blonde who can't be more than twenty. The predatory gleam in his eyes sends a chill down my spine, memories of that night flooding back unbidden.

I grip the stem of my martini glass, knuckles turning white. How dare he. Hasn't he taken enough from me already? From the nervous way the girl keeps checking her watch, it's clear his attention is unwanted. She's looking for an escape, but he holds her in place with a possessive hand.

Rage bubbles up inside me, hot and acrid. I shouldn't have come out tonight. I'm not ready to face my demons, not when they wear the face of the man who nearly ruined me and then threatened to have me sold to a brothel, for god’s sake.

"Hey," Anoushka's voice cuts through my thoughts, her hand gently squeezing my arm. "What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I glance at her, realizing that my internal turmoil must be written all over my face. Swallowing hard and seeing no reason to lie now, with the entire family aware of my partying ways thanks to the video that was circulated, I lean closer to her, lowering my voice. "Anoushka, I need to tell you something. You remember those videos of me partying around Philadelphia?”

“Uh-huh,” she nods curiously.

“Well, back then, a guy called Marv tried to blackmail me. One night, we met at a club, and he convinced me to drink too much. We went back to his place, and nothing really happened, but he took some photos of me in mildly compromising positions and tried to blackmail me. Don’t worry—” I stop her when I see her eyes widen. “Dima knows and helped me out of that mess. Anyway, he’s here tonight.”

Her eyes widen in shock, and she wraps her arm around my shoulders protectively. "Lara, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. Where is he?"

I look over at Marv again. Her eyes follow mine and narrow in rage.

I watch as Marv leans in closer to the woman, an all-too-familiar predatory grin plastered on his face as he pours her another drink. She shakes her head, but he then takes a shot glass and pours the shot down her throat forcefully, laughing like it was only a joke. It sickens me to see him exhibit the same behavior I had to endure during our own encounter. I clench my fists, anger bubbling up inside of me. How can he continue to prey on innocent women like this?

"Let's just keep an eye on them," I suggest, trying to rein in my emotions.

"Agreed," Anoushka says, her voice laced with concern and protectiveness on behalf of the girl.

Marv whispers something into the woman's ear, and I catch a glimpse of her wide-eyed reaction. I can't ignore the discomfort she's experiencing, and I know I have to do something to help her.

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