Page 43 of Innocent Bratva Hostage

She shifts in her seat, frustration radiating off her. “What else?”

“You will follow Bratva protocol at all times,” I continue. “That means respect for my men, adherence to my commands, and no interference in matters that don’t concern you.”

“If I don’t?” she asks, her voice sharp but trembling slightly.

I meet her gaze, letting the silence stretch for a moment before speaking. “Disobedience will result in consequences, Hannah. Severe consequences.”

Her defiance falters briefly, a flicker of fear passing over her features. She lifts her chin, refusing to look away.

“You reallyarea monster,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

I lean back, watching her carefully. “Perhaps,” I say evenly. “I’m the monster keeping you alive. Remember that.”

She doesn’t respond, her hands clenching in her lap as she stares at the floor.

This is her reality now, and whether she likes it or not, she’ll adapt. I’ll make sure of it.

Hannah stands abruptly, her hands braced against the arms of the chair as she pushes herself up. Her defiance lingers in the way she holds her chin high, but there’s something else beneath it—something I can’t quite name but find myself wanting to uncover.

“I’m hungry,” she says simply, her voice sharper than it needs to be.

I lean back in my chair, my gaze sweeping over her. The faint flush on her cheeks from our earlier exchange hasn’t faded, and her dark hair is still slightly tousled from the bed.

There’s a certain charm to her disheveled appearance—innocent yet undeniably alluring. She looks like she belongs here, standing in the soft morning light, even if she doesn’t realize it yet.

“Hannah,” I say smoothly, rising to my feet in one fluid motion.

She turns slightly, her eyes narrowing as she watches me approach. “What?”

“You forgot something,” I murmur, my hand reaching out to catch hers as she tries to step away.

Her brows knit together in confusion, and before she can respond, I pull her closer, my free hand tilting her chin up. My lips capture hers in a kiss that’s far from gentle, my grip firm enough to keep her in place but not enough to hurt.

She stiffens for a moment, her hands pressing against my chest as if to push me away. But then she melts, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt as her lips move against mine.

Good girl.

When I finally pull back, her breath is ragged, her lips slightly swollen. She stares at me, her wide brown eyesflickering with a mixture of emotions—confusion, frustration, and something she’s trying desperately to suppress.

“You didn’t pull away,” I say, my voice low and laced with satisfaction.

Her blush deepens, and she quickly steps back, tugging her hand free from mine. “I didn’t because…,” she starts, searching for an excuse but coming up empty. Her gaze drops to the floor. “Because I’m starving, and I’m not thinking properly,” she finishes weakly.

I chuckle softly, the sound deep in my chest. “Then let’s get you fed.”

The dining room is quiet, the expansive table stretching between us. I sit at the head, my usual spot, while Hannah is to my left. The sunlight streaming through the windows highlights her features—the curve of her cheek, the slight furrow in her brow as she toys with her fork.

Breakfast is laid out before us, a spread of fresh fruits, pastries, and eggs prepared to perfection. She eats slowly, her movements deliberate, and the silence between us feels heavier than it should.

I sip my coffee, watching her with a mix of amusement and curiosity. She’s guarded, her eyes flicking toward me occasionally as if she’s waiting for me to speak first.

When I finally do, it’s with purpose. “You’ll need something to occupy your time,” I say, my tone calm but firm.

She looks up, her fork pausing midway to her mouth. “What do you mean?”

“You can’t work,” I continue, setting my coffee cup down. “It’s not safe, and I can’t keep tabs on you if you’re out of the house.”

Her lips press into a thin line, and I can see the spark of resistance flare in her eyes. “So, what, I’m just supposed to sit around all day doing nothing?”

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