Page 27 of Forced Prisoner By the Bratva

My eyes widened as the city blurred past me in a dizzying whirl. I felt trapped in aFast and Furiousmovie, except this was real life.

I swallowed hard, my heart sinking into my stomach. “Erik, please, slow down,” I pleaded, my eyes misting as I wondered if this would be my end.

I should have just shut my bloody mouth. Now, look where I found myself.

Maybe he didn't know this, but I had tachophobia—an irrational fear of speed. I closed my eyes tightly, my heart feeling like it was about to explode from my chest. My breathing was ragged and difficult to catch, and I thought that I would die from this terror.

“Please, stop the car.” My voice trembled, hot tears streaming from my closed eyes.

The engine roared on as though my pleas had fallen on deaf ears.

“STOPPP!” I yelled at the top of my lungs.

The car screeched to an abrupt halt, and I figured that he must have gotten the message.

I opened my eyes, wiping my tears, and my whole body trembled from the fear of God he'd instilled in me.

“I didn't mean to scare you,” he said, his voice low, laced with a gleaner of apology. “Look at me,” he added, facing me.

I couldn't risk pissing him off again, and so I did as he instructed, my eyes meeting his soft expression.

“You're my wife, Tessa,” he began, his voice tinged with jealousy. “Seeing you in that position with another man…it did something to me.”

I sniffled, looking into his apologetic eyes. “Why would it? You don't even care about me. You don't feel anything for me.” I watched his lips twitch as though he was groping for the right words to express him.

He swiped a palm across his mouth and said, his voice deep and husky, “You're mine now, Tessa.” The possessiveness in his tone couldn't be any more glaring. “You belong to me.”

“I'm not some property that you can own, Erik,” I shot back, a scowl settling on my face. “I'm my own woman.”

His eyes roamed around my body as if appreciating my contours. “Not with me, you're not,” he said, his tone dripping with pride and possessiveness.

I held his gaze, my fury slowly dissolving as the air around us transformed into something more sensual. I felt a tingling sensation in my fingertips and also between my legs.

He stared into my eyes, refusing to look away until I broke the staring contest, unable to stand his intimidating gaze.

I couldn't deny the emotional attraction between us—the flame he'd ignited within me.

Now, I was left to wonder why I was so drawn to him.

Chapter 12 – Erik

A few weeks had gone by since the issue with Connor, and so far, we hadn’t really talked about it. We hadn't talked much in general, considering how occupied with work I'd been recently.

It was one meeting after the other, and if it wasn't that, it was a project that needed my time and utmost attention. Perhaps this was a good thing because it gave us both some time to think things through.

I, for one, had a lot of reflecting to do, especially on how I’d handled the situation at the event. I got a little jealous, and I let it get the better of me.

Exceeding the speed limit was a dumb move, and although her arrogance had pushed me to do it, it wasn't the best reaction. The fear in her eyes and tone when the speedometer needle rose to three digits was something I wouldn't want to see again.

She’d been so terrified, and it was all because of me. My duty as her husband was to protect her, provide for her, and essentially keep her safe. Being the reason for her tears hurt me more than I cared to admit.

I hadn't apologized—well, not directly, anyway. Besides, I didn't know how. I wasn't cut out that way, and the concept itself was alien to me. I realized that despite how much I appreciated this little distance between us, I still missed our banter. I missed gazing at her face and playing intimate scenes in my head.

Work had taken my time, all day, every day, and whenever I returned home, she'd be fast asleep. The next morning, I'd be gone before she woke up, so in essence, I was almost never around.

This distance between us was a bittersweet experience. It kept me away from the constant tension that hovered around us each time we were together. At least that way, I was able to focuson work. But despite that, it also gnawed at me, reminding me of the beautiful woman I'd somewhat abandoned and how lonely she might be feeling.

Tonight was just like the other nights. I returned home a little after midnight and pulled up by the fountain. The moon was at its peak, casting its soft glow over the compound, and the stars twinkled in the night sky.

---