Page 11 of Claimed By the Bratva

Nodding, I thought about it as I finished chewing and swallowing. As I tried to think of what was important, my mind played with the idea of asking him if he was single. Glancing down at my plate, I pushed the thought from my mind, unsure where it came from.

“If you could be anywhere in the world with anyone right now, where and with who would you be?” I asked lightly.

Anton pushed a hand through his hair as he leaned back. His shirt stretched tightly across his chest. I could see his muscled physic and felt a tingling in my bones. “Well, here, of course, with you,” he replied, grinning. “Now, tell me why you decided to go into the monitoring business?”

He was surely charming if he wanted to be, I thought, tapping my chin with my forefinger. “I like rules and order, I guess,” I replied softly.

“Oh, nice one,” he said, filling our wine glasses. “Yet, you have little to no control over the information you have, as you stated. Why is that?”

Looking up, our eyes met with passion as I spoke. “No, it’s my turn now. I would like to know why you chose me out of all the people working at my firm. I am sure others would gladly have parted their knowledge with you for money. Plus, most of them would have more access than me.”

Anton looked around. He appeared uncomfortable with my question as he shifted in his seat. He took a big swallow of his wine and cleared his throat.

“I don’t have a lifetime to wait, you know,” I said gently.

Glancing at me, he smiled and shook his head. “You know,” he said, looking around again. Turning back to face me, he stared into my eyes, placing his hands open on the table as he continued. “You are something else.”

Grinning, I felt a smile crossing my lips. Before I could think it through, the words just poured out of me. “I know. But you will just have to deal with it as you decide what you want from me.”

Anton sat up instantly, a devilish smile forming. I felt my face heating up. Thinking about what I had said, suddenly sounded dirty in my mind. “That’s not…” I started saying as he slid around to sit next to me.

I felt my words choking me. My heart raced as he tenderly took my hand. I tried to pull back but couldn’t make my arms move; my body felt numb. What was happening? Why was my body betraying me again?

Looking around frantically, I sought a way out. Anton gently turned my face to him as he spoke. “You are the prettiest one at that place, out of everyone.” He licked his lips as his fingers caressed my cheek. “You know that you stand out, and I think you have a lot more to offer than any of the other workers.”

His fingers sliding to the back of my neck sent a tremble down my spine. I couldn’t take my eyes off his lips as he spoke. As he came closer, I noticed his gaze had dropped to my breasts. The air was filled with more heat and tension than I had ever experienced.

I felt like I was about to blow. Closing my eyes as he leaned in, preparing for the kiss, my mind fired up. He was using me to get more information, it screamed. I felt sure of it as all his questions had somehow moved back to my work.

Shoving at his chest unexpectedly sent him flopping backward. His eyes were filled with uncertainty and questions. “Please take me back,” I huffed as I rose.

Before he could ask or say anything, I turned and headed out. I stared out the window the entire drive back, refusing to speak to or look at him. Once we stopped, I got out and waited by the door for him to open it.

Feeling betrayed and used, I stormed into the room that had been my new home the last week. I plucked the keys from the door. Slamming it shut, I locked myself in. I didn’t want to see him. And now he wouldn’t be able to sneak in without me knowing.

Chapter 7 - Anton

“Joyce, please,” I said as she stormed to her room. I went after her, but after slamming the door on me, I heard it lock. Glancing down, I noticed the key was gone. She had locked herself in. I knew to step back; she wanted some space.

Walking across the room, I stared out the window into the dark; I wondered what I was thinking. This was now the second time I fucked up. Pushing my hands through my hair, I felt like slapping myself.

I was irritated and felt guilty. With all these new emotions and feelings, I felt like a ticking bomb. Heading out, I decided to take a drive around town to calm down a bit. As I drove, trying to clear my mind, I considered ways of making things right.

My mindless driving landed me before a gift shop. Staring at the signs and carts lined up outside the store, I made up my mind. I bought her some flowers and two boxes of chocolates..

Driving home, I felt an urgency and stepped on the pedal. I wanted to get back to her as soon as possible. Something in me had shifted, and I felt a drive I didn’t know I had.

Pulling into the driveway, I killed the lights. I was bubbling with excitement and wanted to surprise her. My phone vibrated in my pocket. Ignoring it, I rushed inside. I headed straight for her door, armed with the flowers and chocolates.

I was about halfway across the floor when I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket for the second time. It had to be important if they kept calling. Pulling it out of my pocket, I glanced at the screen. It was Alexandr. I was surprised to see him calling. He only contacted us directly if something was going down.

I placed the flowers and chocolates on the table next to the couch and answered my phone. “Yes, what’s happening?” I asked in a rushed tone. It felt like my chest was closing in on me. I didn’t want to worry about the family right now. I wanted to see Joyce. But I had responsibilities.

Alexandr’s voice sounded slightly raised as he replied. I felt sure, I could hear some distress in it. “We need you to join us at the main warehouse downtown. There’s been a break-in. We must get our stock back tonight before it’s too late!”

My skin suddenly felt cold as ice. I felt the blood draining from my body and stood in utter silence as I tried to absorb all he had said. “Right,” I mumbled, turning on my heels and returning to my truck. “I’m on my way, be there in a second,” I added, getting in.

As I raced through traffic, stopping nowhere, I felt sweat forming on my brows. This was serious. We have never had a breach. This was a first for all of us. Pulling up to the warehouse, I noticed the double doors were wide open. Stopping, I jumped out and went inside to find Alexandr.

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