Page 49 of Forced Bratva Hostage

This was his signature disciplinary tone; someone was clearly in trouble. Sucked to be whoever that was because my cousin would show no mercy.

Alone, I lit my cigarette, its flame casting a momentary glow on my face as I took a long, satisfying drag, the smoke enveloping me.

Not long after, I sensed another presence around me—feminine with a strong perfume, a scent I was very familiar with. The newcomer was lurking in the shadows, watching me.

I lowered my head, fingers scratching my scalp. “What, are you stalking me now?”

Silence.

Leaning against the railing, I fixed my gaze on a dark corner a few paces ahead of me. “I know it's you, Veronica. I can smell your perfume.” I took another drag, savoring the flavor dancing on my tongue.

Out of the shadows, she emerged, her high heels clicking against the floor as she approached me. The scowl on her face deepened the closer she drew, and I couldn't care less.

Veronica, a busty brunette, was a woman I’d used to spend a lot of time with, fooling around with and basically just having sex—tons of sex. But that was all she was good for: pleasure.

She wasn't the kind that I would ever end up with as a wife. Veronica just wasn't cut out for that type of life. She waseasy on the eyes and blessed with a physique that was to die for, but I wouldn't date her, let alone marry her.

The glare in her eyes was because she was mad at me for various reasons, some of which she was about to spill any second from now.

Here we go, in three, two, one…I thought, and immediately, she began.

“Oh, sonowyou can smell my perfume. Is that it?” She halted in front of me, her eyes boring into mine. “I bet you can still remember the taste of my pussy, too, can't you?” Her tone dripped with sarcasm.

I released another puff of smoke, uninterested in her rants. This was one of the major reasons I would never be with her; she talked a lot and could be impulsive.

“How could you just ghost me like that?” she continued, her eyes never leaving mine. “I mean, I know the basis of our relationship, but at least a heads-up would've been nice.” She drew closer, her body inches from mine. “I deserve an explanation.”

I felt a pang of irritation at her demand, and my brows knitted together as I leaned closer to her, my voice dropping to a low whisper. “I owe you no explanation, Veronica.” I cast a condescending look down her slender frame. “You’ve served your purpose…entertainment.”

Her breath hitched in her throat, a gesture that hinted at her displeasure at my words.

“I no longer have any use for your services anymore,” I spat, my words razor-sharp.

She stepped closer, her manicured fingers caressing my body and her seductive eyes cast on me. “I refuse to believe that.” Her hand dared to slide down to my groin. “Last time I checked, you've never been able to resist me. You can't start now.” Shestuck her tongue out and leaned over to kiss me, her voice an alluring whisper.

I grasped her hand before she could feel my cock, my eyes burning with irritation. A woman I once found attractive now meant nothing to me, and the only feeling her touch stirred in me was disgust.

Her eyes widened with shock, a gasp escaping her lips as I tossed her hand off me.

“Get this into your thick skull, Veronica,” I said, looking right into her eyes so she'd realize that I was too far gone. “We're done.”

She blinked rapidly, her chest rising and falling with anger, but I didn’t care. I only had eyes for one woman.

Chapter 18 – Wren

“When my husband told me that his younger brother got married to a woman named Wren, I honestly didn’t imagine it was gonna be you!” Julia's words were laced with excitement, her eyes shining with mirth.

“It's a funny story, actually,” I replied, my lips curling into a bright smile.

“It always is with the Tarasov brothers,” she said, subtly waving at a woman who'd waved at her first.

I hadn't seen her in forever, and the fact that she also married into the Tarasov family was a surprise I wasn't ready for. Julia seemed like she was happy in her marriage; her words were elated when she spoke, and her skin was radiant, simmering under the soft glow of the chandelier.

Julia's smile was still as charming as I remembered. Her bliss was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder if I'd be as lucky with Afanasy.

She'd always been a fun and happy woman, although back then, I knew that beyond the smile was a bitter soul—I could see it in her eyes. I didn't know what her deal was, but I was certain that she wasn't the charming and sweet woman everyone thought she was. She was hiding something.

However, tonight, her smiles and laughs were completely genuine. She wasn't wearing any masks, and her eyes sparkled in ways I'd never seen before.

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