Page 19 of Forced By the Bratva Beast

She shuts off the recorder. “Your criminal activities are a huge turn-off, and I never would have slept with you if I knew what you’ve done!” Her face is straight and stern as she relays the information.

“Seems like you’ve made your assessment already without knowing me, but you’re on the money. I am part of Bratva, it’s a brotherhood. Yes, we have some different activities going on in the business, but you’re very naïve to think this world is full of do-gooders.”

“You did all these things? The drug smuggling, the gun trafficking to the military? The aiding and abetting of criminals?” she questions, breaking her calm disposition.

“Worse,” I reply with a hoarse tone, opening her up to the dark side since she’s stupid enough to reject me. “You shouldn’t have come here, Sophia. You don’t want to know who I really am underneath, and you’re very, very vulnerable, Sirota.”

“What did you call me?”

Chuckling, I lean back again, straightening out my leg. “Orphan girl. You’ve got a long way to go before you can become a lawyer. It’s a tough profession full of snakes.” Slapping at the table, I watch her stoic face remain intact. She doesn’t budge, and it only serves to tickle my fancy further.

Maybe she’s stronger than I’ve given her credit for. “I think I’m doing just fine.” Again, she holds her ground.

Well, well. I’ve got a challenge on my hands. I take it one step further. “Let me tell you, Sophia. You don’t want to make an enemy out of me. It will be your worst mistake,” I promise. Sherises to her feet, stretching down her skirt, the full length of her body arousing me. Now I wish the interview would continue.

She knocks on the door, speaking to the officer just on the outside of it. “You can take him now. We’re done here.”

Getting up, with a tight burning sensation in my chest, I stare at her one last time, meeting her glare with an arrogant smirk eclipsing my face. “Until next time, Sophia.”

Not so innocent. Naïve, yes. But strong. She is as captivating as when I first met her.

Chapter Nine – Sophia

Packing up all my things, I mutter under my breath, stuck in disbelief about the interaction I just had. No. No. No. That didn’t just happen. It was all a bad fever dream. Did I really interview a Bratva boss, who is the same man I slept with?

The manila folders slip from my grasp to the floor, and as it opens, there are pictures of a man slain in a pool of blood. And another, with police tape across the middle of the glossy photo. Shit. This is from the crimes the Bratva have supposedly engaged in. Swallowing down my regret, I quickly scoop up the folder, my heart beating faster than it should.

Fuck. I have to get out of here. A second officer meets me at the crossover from the back of the police station to the real world where people aren’t criminals, just ordinary law-abiding citizens. “Did you get all the information you needed today?” he inquires politely as I look at him, a deep sense of fear hanging over me.

“Yes. I think I got more than I wanted. That’s okay. I can trim it if need be,” I tell him, glad that Andrei is locked away in prison.

“Good. See you next time.” As I walk out to the front, I stop at reception, a kind-faced woman at the desk. “Umm, can I ask you a question?”

“Sure. What can I help with?”

“Ah, it’s just a research question I didn’t get a chance to ask Andrei Utkin in there. I’m a second-year law student—”

“That’s okay. I know who you are. I was told about you being here. Dr. Perri told me as well. We’re a big fan of hers here at the department.”

Slightly relieved, I muster the courage to ask her about what I have to say. “What’s his sentence term?”

“Ah, that’s easy and one I can answer because it’s technically public record. It’s likely he’s going to be in jail for a few months. If he’s proven guilty, he’s going to be in the can for years.” A huge weight falls off my shoulders when I hear the word “years.” Great. He can’t make good on his threats.

Smiling thinly at the receptionist, I nod my head, the laptop strap digging into my shoulder. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. Say hi to Dr. Perri for me when you see her.”

“Will do.”

As I walk out into the sunshine, I realize my hands are shaking. It’s the residual impact of Andrei’s presence on me. His silent threats ring loudly in my ears as I scan the prison parking lot.

“You don’t want to make an enemy out of me.” As I breathe shallowly, I let the wind grace my face, hoping it’s enough to draw me out of the waking nightmare I’ve found myself in. Lost in a muddle of confusion, a horn blares at me violently as I stop in my tracks, gasping sharply.

“What the fuck are you doing? You walked right in front of the car!” the angry man behind the wheel declares.

Blinking rapidly, I blow out a breath. “Sorry, I’m so sorry!” Grimacing, I scurry along to my vehicle, dumping all my crap inthe back of the car. Leaning forward on the wheel, I hold on to it for dear life, wishing I never met Andrei.

But why did it feel so good when he touched me? I do my best to convince myself I’m never going to have to deal with him again. He can’t hurt you. He’s going to stay in jail. Because that’s where bad people go, Sophia. To fucking jail.

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