Page 14 of Claimed Bratva Virgin

I coughed, spat up more blood, and allowed my head to drop with resignation.

“Fuck you, Ivan.”

He sighed. “So be it.”

A heavy cloth was pressed against my nose, and a hazy spell dragged me down faster than I could conjure any thought. The stars multiplied, and my vision turned bleak and darker than the night’s sky.

There was no use struggling.

Even as a champion, I knew when to accept defeat.

Chapter 5 – Rafayel

Where I came from, we were in the business of calling a spade a spade; operate with things as they are, not the way you want them to seem. For years, that tactic worked effectively. That was why, with Enzo’s daughter, I had every intention of applying for the same.

Ivan’s problem was that he underestimated the girl, and that was one mistake I wasn’t going to make.

“You’re done.”

His hand covered the brown envelope I’d slapped on his chest, and confused grey eyes met mine halfway down the stairs. Brows drawn, Ivan raised the package in the air. “What’s this?”

“What do you think it is?”

“Money?”

I lifted a brow. “Then?”

He was questioning the reason for the money, especially when his eagerness to follow me down the rest of the stairs and into the dark space to visit our beloved prisoner was as clear as day.

“Money for what, Rafa?”

I didn’t answer him. I turned back around to continue down the stairs, and when he followed, I paused. “Jesus. Do I have to explain everything to you, kid?”

“Silence is an explanation?” I almost laughed. His response was a very Ivan-like thing to say. “I’ll take that as a no and still ask again anyway. Money for—”

“Your little beef with the girl ends here, Ivan. Right here on this step.” I didn’t let him finish. If he wanted me to spell it out, then I was going to spell it out. “Take the money as whatever you want to take it for: ticket to see the northern lights, one night at a fancy restaurant, spend it on one of your trulls, get a new toy…whatever. You’re out, and I’m taking over.”

When he nodded, I already knew he understood. Ivan wasn’t going to argue with me. Not because he couldn’t but because he knew the money wasn’t the only thing I’d take back from him if he dared counter my orders. The kid’s fear of me surpassed any sliver of respect he thought he had for me.

“Message received.” He didn’t like it, but he was going to leave anyway.

I watched him ascend back up the stairs and didn’t move an inch until his shoulders disappeared from the door frame.

Then I fished the blade from my pocket and went down as quietly as I could.

****

I dragged a hand against the wall, searched, and stopped after I found what I was looking for. I flicked on the switch and soaked myself in the satisfaction of seeing her rattle when her eyes met mine.

Sitting there, she looked small and fragile—nothing like the Viper that plagued my cousin and my mind. She didn’t look like much, like a girl that could outsmart grown combat-trained men or skilled drivers. But that was just it about this one.

She blinked, initially disoriented, and after a moment of struggling with the ropes binding her securely to the iron chair, her eyes grew wide, and her jaw dropped.

First, I saw raw fear swimming in her hazel eyes before she clamped down, shielding herself with the familiar brave façade I recognized.

I stood close enough, blocking the single white light hanging from the ceiling above our heads. She had to tilt her head back for a better view. Her full lips twitched, but her eyes held disdain.

“If it isn’t the devil himself? The almighty Rafayel Yezhov.”

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