Page 28 of Virgin Bratva Prisoner

After we have been driving for fifteen or so minutes, I turn to Oleg.

“Why do we need a limousine and all of this flashy nonsense just to meet my brothers? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“We are meeting them at a party. One where a lot of my allies will be attending. Of course, I want to introduce my new wife to the Bratva world—looking as beautiful as ever. But you could have arrived in sweatpants and a hoodie and they would have still seen your beauty—“

“A party?” I stammer in shock. “You didn’t say we were going to a party.”

“Why else would you be wearing something like this?” He chuckles and it flares my annoyance.

“You want me to walk around amongst a bunch of Mafia idiots and you want me to what? Be polite? Be the happy wife? Are you completely out of your mind? I am going to tell every single one of them that you kidnapped me and forced me into this marriage!—” Anger is making me hiss my words at him. I’m struggling to stay calm.

He shifts slightly, turning his body towards me as he glares down at me. “Raisa. Listen very carefully. I will only say this once and you should not dare to doubt it. If you don’t make your brothers believe that you arehappilymarried to me—they will become upset—and when they get upset, they will start fighting against me. When that happens—Leon and all ofmybrothers will open fire on them. People will die. Your brothers will die.”

My mouth drops open in horror. “You wouldn’t,” I stammer.

“I wouldn’t, but my brothers would and you know your brothers would too. So, trust me when I say that it is in your best interest to play along with this marriage tonight. If everything goes smoothly and your brothers believe that you are happy with me—we avoid bloodshed. No violence is necessary. I wanted you to do this willingly. I had hoped that we would have more time together to work through our differences before tonight arrived—but it is what it is and this is happening tonight—so now it is your choice about whether or not you want to start a war.”

I turn my face away from him.

Taking slow breaths to try and soothe my racing heart.

For a long moment I just stare out of the window—fighting the tears that are burning at the back of my eyes. I want to scream. I want to cry and tell him I hate him. But I will not put my family at risk. I have to find another way to escape. I have to figure out some other option for getting back at him.

I quickly brush my hand across my cheek, wiping away the single tear that managed to escape. I won’t let Oleg see me cry.

I won’t let him see any weakness from me. I’ve managed to hold myself together since he forced me into this marriage and I won’t stop now.

I will find a way, though—to escape this. Maybe not tonight. But soon.

We arrive at the party and I feel horribly tense as I climb out of the limousine and walk towards the massive doors of someone’s home. I have no idea where we are. I assume it is one of Oleg’s brother’s mansions. I was so looking forward to justseeing my brothers this evening—and now I have to face a bunch of Bratva mafia families and keep a smile on my face the entire time when all I want to do is curl up and cry my eyes out because I feel trapped into a corner.

This entire situation could not be more opposite from what I want for my life.

Oleg steps alongside me, taking my hand in his.

His skin is warm, and I clench my jaw as I realize how reassuring his hand is over mine.

Dammit.

We walk into the part,y which is already in full swing. So many eyes are on us, so many people I don’t know.

Oleg greets them all and introduces me as we walk through the crowds. They all know him and they all seem to have a lot of respect for him as they treat him almost like royalty.A Dubrov.

Somehow, I am now playing the role of a Dubrov wife. I better do a good job of it. There are so many people watching.

As we move through the party my eyes are peeled, constantly searching for my brothers. They aren’t here yet.

I sip my champagne and stand against Oleg’s side—his arm wrapped around my waist—I smile and talk happily. Outwardly we are the perfect, happy couple. Newlyweds, basking in the excitement of it all.

Inside, I am in a knot of frustration and anxiety.

I feel the tension building inside me—the longer my brothers take to get here the worse it is getting. Where are they? Why aren’t they here already? I just want to see a familiar face. I want someone to tell me that everything is going to be ok.

I need my brothers. I need them to be here for me now.

I smile tightly, leaning against Oleg. Waiting.

Trying to be patient.

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