Page 55 of Forced Bratva Hostage

Everything about this man screamed trouble as he glared at me with that evil smirk. My heart stuttered more with every passing second.

“Who…who are you?” I finally summoned the courage to ask, the words tumbling out of me.

He hesitated for a moment, as if reveling in my fear. “My name is Kolya,” he said, his voice calm but threatening.

“You've made a big mistake kidnapping me, Kolya,” I said, steeling myself in an attempt to sound tough or at least scare him a little.

“Did I?” He stepped forward and then began circling me with slow, deliberate paces.

Despite Afanasy's rough edges, I somehow had unshakable faith in his promise of not letting anything bad happen to me. I was certain beyond reasonable doubt that he would do everything in his power to save me and our unborn child.

“My husband will come for me,” I declared, feeling a subtle glimmer of hope swelling within me, my confidence boosting.

“Oh, I'm counting on that, Mrs. Tarasov.” He unleashed another rough chuckle that sent shivers down my spine.

I jerked my head, squinting at his words as he stood in front of me.

“Why do you think I took you?” His flashed that corny smirk, his eyes revealing the evil dancing in their depths. “You're a pawn to lure him out here.” He paused as if letting the words sink in. “Afanasy thinks he's unpredictable.” Kolya scoffed, brushing a thumb over his nose. “And the truth is, hewasunpredictable…until he married you.”

My heart sank into my stomach.

Was that a good thing or a bad thing?

Well, clearly, in this case, it was bad.

“Every man—no matter how tough—has a weakness,” he said, his blazing eyes never leaving mine. “Once you find it, you have control over him, and boy, have I been waiting for the perfect leverage!”

His words were dripping with venom, pain and fury etched on his disfigured face. I could tell that he had an ax to grind with my husband, and from what I gathered, I was never the target. Afanasy was.

He bent over, hands pressing against mine as he looked into my face. “You, Wren Tarasov, will play a big role in the success of my revenge.”

His bad breath brushed against my skin, prompting me to push my head back in disgust. I shut my eyes, stiffening my body and hoping not to die from his mouth odor before Afanasy got the chance to save me.

He raised his head, straightening as he backed away. Discreetly, I let out a sigh of momentary relief, finally able to breathe fine. However, the bigger threat still loomed before me.

“For a long time, I've searched for ways to get back at Afanasy, but the man didn't have any weaknesses,” he explained, walking over to a small table in a corner.

I squinted, wondering what he was up to, my sharp eyes wildly roaming the room for possible exits or anything to help me out of these ropes.

“Imagine my surprise when I heard that he was getting married.” Kolya laughed, setting the device in his hand on the table before turning to face me, disbelief flickering in his eyes. “Afanasy Tarasov, getting married—didn't think I'd live to see that happening.”

There was no way I was getting out of here on my own. These restraints were relentless; plus there were two doors: onein front and another behind me. Even if, by some miracle, I was able to break free, I wouldn't make it to either of the doors before he grabbed me again.

Both doors were twenty paces away, meaning I'd have better luck waiting for pigs to fly.

I watched him return to working on the device, his hands moving expertly, cutting and joining colorful wires with his tools.

I couldn't tell what he was up to; however, I was certain it was nothing good—not for me, anyway.

“You know, Wren, I could've chosen any of Afanasy's lovers, but instead, I chose you,” he said, tightening a screw into the device. “Do you know why?” Kolya turned around with the device in his hand.

He was done working on it, and now my heart was racing as he approached me with slow, menacing steps. “I didn't choose you because you're the prettiest, nor did I choose you because you're his wife.” Kolya halted in front of me. “I chose you because you're the only woman that cold bastard ever really cared about.”

I am?

My heart gladdened for a fleeting moment, but my reality set back in so quickly, stealing my joy.

“If I had taken any one of those girls he fooled around with, my plan would go down the drain,” he continued, a hand in his pocket. “He'd never come for them because he wouldn't give two fucks.” Kolya clicked his tongue. “With you, though, things seem different, and that's how I know he'll come for you.”

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