Page 47 of Forced By the Bratva Beast

He’s brought people here before. Why would he?

Andrei immediately came to mind. He would send someone out to look for me, I was certain of it. That’s the positive thing about the Bratva. It’s a brotherhood.“I’ve always got eyes on you, Sophia.”His threatening phrase irked me at the beginning, but now it’s a source of comfort in dark times.

Theclick-clackof shoes entering fills me with a sense of doom. Forcing my head upwards, I see it’s Christopher, and what’s worse he’s wearing slacks, a vest, and a collared shirt. He’s sporting a huge grin. If you saw the man on the street, he would present as one of the most unassuming men on the planet. The type to walk old ladies across the street and help them with their groceries.

“Sophia, Sophia, Sophia.Oh sweetheart, what a bind you’ve got yourself into.Literally.” He guffaws, scuffing his high-shine polish shoes on the concrete floor.

Bile swirls at the back of my throat, my tongue stuck hard to the roof of my mouth. “Stay back.” My deep hoarse cry comes out more like that of a frog.

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. I only want to help. I’m going to give your arms a break and tie your hands to the front. That’s the type ofgenerous-hearted guy I am. I wanted to be that for you in New York, but you missed your chance.” Tensing up, Christopher’s face bears down on mine, his breath landing on my face as he rounds to the back of me, his eyes traversing to my chest. Whimpering in fright, I prepare myself for the worst, but all he does is cackle as he brings my hands to the front.

For a split second, I think about getting loose from him, but the large hunting knife in his hand keeps me locked in place. “You’re not going to get far,” I warn him, thinking about how relentless Andrei is when he wants something, orsomebody.

“I’m going all the way, baby. Trust me,” Christopher replies slimily, drawing the tip of the knife around my belly button in a circle. Tremors of fear overtake me, the possibility of passing out very real. I suck in my tummy as much as I can upon seeing the sinister glint in his evil eyes. “Pretty girl, you should have just abided by the conditions I gave you, and you wouldn’t be in this position.”

“No!” I want to scream it, but it only exits in a fainthearted attempt.

“No? Fuck that. No girl, especially not a twenty-two-year-old second-year has ever told me no.” Chris skims a hand through his cropped hair.

Don’t irritate him. Look for an exit.

His ego’s getting the best of him, and I’m repulsed with every word coming out of his mouth, but as my eyes case the corners of darkness, I notice the door behind Chris. We are on the ground floor, but I would need him to leave, and for me to get rid of my bindings. There’s too much involved.

Have faith, Andrei will be here.“Sorry,” I respond, attempting to placate him.

“It’s too late for sorry now,” he scoffs. “Oh, there’s no coming back from what you did. I had to have surgery to sew my tendons back together because of your stupid husband,” he replies angrily, raising his hand.

Serves you right. “Sorry.”

“Shut up!” he barks. “Your sorries are piss weak. You could have had it all, Sophia. You could have worked your way up to partner in my law firm, making a shitload of money.” He sighs, giving me a sign he’s calming down, but it’s highly unlikely. “You could have been reaching the pinnacle of success, but oh no,” he snarls in my face, globs of his saliva dotting my cheeks he’s so close.

“Stop!” I croak. “Don’t hurt me.”

“No.” He places the blade of the knife under my chin, my pulse jumping through the roof as I feel the sharpness of the tip. “All the other ones did. Maybe your friend Ava will be more giving. Thanks for the recommendation.” I say nothing, but I want to tell him Ava already knows he’s a pig.

Slowly he takes the knife down from my chin dragging it down to my belly where I have a slight bump. Closing my eyes, I can’t see if he’s going to cut me. I don’t want to see, and the lack of light isn’t helping. “You’ve got a sweet cub inside the womb. Oh, how nice. So, you could fuck him, but not me?” Christopher says, leaning in.

“You’re supposed to uphold the law,” I declare bravely, even knowing I shouldn’t.

“Huh! Don’t talk to me about upholding the law. You don’t even know the system and how the game is played, Sophia. I would have shown you the ropes, and how to win. But no.” He steps back, waving his knife and appearing delirious. “Youpicked a mobster. Well, guess what? Bruno’s one too, and you’re little Russian Bratva men are going down!”

“Please. You don’t have to do this.” Sobbing, tears fall onto the grease stains draining away.

“Oh yeah, I do. I wonder what Mr. Utkin will do when I kill your unborn child.” I hear the laughter of a second person, Bruno, walking in to stand beside Christopher.

“Let’s shed a little light on the subject, shall we?” There’s a light I didn’t see that’s now turned on as Bruno flips a switch. I figure while he’s here, I should find out what his involvement is and stall them both in the process.

“Can I have—can I have some water?” I choke out, my tongue feeling like sandpaper. Bruno analyzes me, coming closer.

“Parched huh?” He grunts. “You and that baby are going to be more then parched by the time we’re done with you.” I’m growing so tired, and running out of strength, but I’m determined to keep them talking for as long as I can.

Use the skills, Dr. Perri taught you. Digging deep, I wriggle a little, my wrists itching and sore from the rope. “I think we can get her some water. It’s probably the last one she’s going to drink anyway,” Chris says, laughing.

“Yeah, let’s get Mrs. Utkin a little water,” Bruno joins in, careful with his speech, his face reminding me of a smushed-up bulldog.

I don’t care what they say about me. Staying alive and stalling them is my objective. “How are you involved?” I ask Bruno.

“I’ve come to relieve him of his Bratva duties.” His belly jiggles as he laughs and Chris returns with a glass of water. I think twice about having asked him, staring into it for signs he’s spiked it.

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