Page 27 of Innocent Bratva Hostage

He turns to me, his sharp gaze cutting through the dim interior. “Listen carefully,” he says, his voice low and edged with warning. “Not a word about your little stunt back there. To anyone.”

I cross my arms over my chest, glaring at him, but my pulse quickens. “Why? Afraid of what Makar will do toyou?”

He doesn’t flinch, but the faint tension in his jaw betrays him. “This isn’t about me,” he snaps, his tone clipped. “If he finds out, it won’t just be my head on the block—it’ll be yours too. Trust me, his patience with you is wearing thin.”

I raise an eyebrow, trying to mask the fear gnawing at my insides. “What will he do if he finds out you almost let me escape?”

Andrei doesn’t answer right away, his expression hardening. “That’s not something I plan on finding out,” he says coldly.

I lean back against the seat, exhaling sharply. “Relax. I won’t tell him. It’s not like I want to get myself hurt.”

His eyes narrow slightly, as if assessing whether I’m bluffing. Finally, he nods once, brusquely, and opens his door.

“Come on,” he orders, stepping out and waiting for me to follow.

I hesitate for a moment, my body heavy with exhaustion and defeat. There’s no choice. I climb out of the SUV, the cold evening air brushing against my skin as Andrei motions me toward the house.

The mansion feels even more oppressive now, its grandeur dark and uninviting. Andrei walks ahead of me, his pace brisk and his demeanor sharp.

When we reach the door, he unlocks it quickly and pushes it open, gesturing for me to step inside. The warm interior does little to ease the chill in my bones as I cross the threshold.

Andrei follows, shutting the door behind him with a heavy thud. His expression is unreadable as he leads me down the hallway and into my room—the one with the locked door and the lack of freedom.

He steps aside, watching as I walk in, then leans against the doorframe. “Stay here,” he says flatly. “Keep your mouth shut. I’ll deal with Makar.” My stomach twists at his words. “Let’s hope those test results are what he wants to see,” he adds, his tone almost mocking but tinged with unease.

Before I can respond, he steps back, the door closing with a soft click.

The lock turns, sealing me in once again.

I sit on the edge of the bed, the weight of the day pressing down on me. Whatever happens next, one thing is clear: I’m out of options. For now, all I can do is wait.

Chapter Ten - Makar

The soft glow of the desk lamp bathes the papers in front of me in warm light, the faint scent of leather and aged whiskey lingering in the air. My office is quiet, a rare and fleeting luxury in my world. The evening’s events weigh on my mind, but I let the silence settle, savoring the calm before the inevitable storm of interruptions.

It doesn’t take long.

A knock sounds at the door, sharp and deliberate.

“Enter,” I call, my voice steady.

Andrei steps inside, his face carefully blank, though the tension in his shoulders betrays him. He shuts the door behind him, his movements precise but not rushed, and stands before my desk.

I glance up, leaning back in my chair. “Andrei,” I say smoothly, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. “How was the trip to the clinic?”

His expression hardens ever so slightly, and I chuckle, already knowing the answer. “I heard she tried to escape,” I add, my tone light with amusement.

Andrei doesn’t flinch, but I see the flicker of unease in his eyes. “She did,” he admits reluctantly. “Didn’t get far, though.”

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk and steepling my fingers. “Tell me,” I say, my smirk widening. “Did she run like a terrified rabbit, or did she put up a fight?”

“She screamed bloody murder,” Andrei replies, his voice clipped. “Tried to get the nurse to help her. Made a scene.”

“And?”

“No one moved,” he says simply, his tone edged with irritation.

I can’t help but laugh, the sound low and genuine. “She has spirit,” I say, shaking my head. “I like that.”

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