Page 49 of Innocent Bratva Hostage

Miron and Rafayel had the same looks on their faces, as if I was committing a crime against humanity or something even worse, like drowning a puppy.

It wasn’t as dramatic as I’d suspected, but Egor’s absence played a role in that, I supposed.

Despite being cousins, everyone tensed in his presence to some degree, but it wasn’t out of fear; it was how much we respected him.

I stared ahead, pretending to have the slightest interest in the stripper dancing on a pole ahead.

Her red hair cascaded over her back in curly waves, her silver lingerie catching the neon light.

I used to enjoy strip shows like this until I met Giselle. Now, all I could think of was going back home to my woman; just watching her sleep would spike up my dopamine more than a half-naked woman dancing on a pole.

I peered at each and every one of the men sitting in the VIP section of the club with me.

Miron and Dobryn had the same excitement in their eyes. Rafayel looked like he would rather be anywhere else than here.

The sly fucker missed being home with his wife, Leonora. He’d changed a lot since he met her, and I hadn’t understood him and how much he was willing to sacrifice because of her until now.

I would go against everyone and everything in my path just to be with Giselle, including thePakhan.

“Last time I checked, my middle name wasn’t the Joker,” I said, glancing at Dobryn.

Miron grinned cockily. “ThePakhanwill lose his shit when he hears this bullshit.”

“I’m already losing my shit,” a deep, rough voice said from the entrance door.

We all turned our heads to see Egor stride in. With his domineering manner, the man commanded respect when he entered a room, and for some, he evoked fear.

“What was that quote about speaking of the devil?” Miron teased, wearing his usual irritating smirk that made him appear like a maniac with a dagger.

He thought he was the joker in the group. His smile would give children nightmares instead.

Egor settled on the empty couch beside Rafayel and crossed his legs, his brows lifting. “What was that bullshit about you marrying the girl?”

I sat still, holding his gaze. “It’s not bullshit. We’re getting married in three days.”

He tilted his head, anger burning in his eyes. “Is this all still part of your game to win her trust.”

“It’s not a game. I want her regardless of the shipment.”

The room grew quiet and heavy with tension.

I knew it wouldn’t be easy to convince Egor to allow this marriage.

It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in love; he himself had hopelessly fallen for someone and married her.

AsPakhan, it was his duty to make sure the security of his empire remained uncompromised. One mistake could be the end of all of us, and it was his job to stop that from happening, even if it meant wasting a life.

The stripper made a move at the wrong time, catching his attention.

“Get her out of here,” Egor ordered.

Dobryn flew up to his feet and ushered the stripper out.

“You do realize this could be a mistake or a trap, don’t you?”

I’d given enough thought to that possibility, but Giselle had grown up away from the mafia world. I’d kept track of her, her friends, and the countries she’d visited. She hadn’t had any sort of contact with the mafia until now.

I didn’t see how she could be a threat aside from withholding the information on Tyfun-1. And even then, I believed she wouldn’t hold on to that information for very long.

---