Page 64 of Captivated By the Bratva

I wanted the peace of speaking with this security supervisor and knowing that he’d heard it from me to remain alert more than usual. I wouldn’t take risks with Nadia’s safety, and until Alek could give me the go-ahead to kill Lev Avilov, I would stay cautious.

Leaving her like that, on the bed and so playful, I was extra eager to return to her and enjoy her with another hard fuck.

“Something’s been going on with Nik’s phone, too,” Yusef reported. “We didn’t have a chance to talk about it earlier, but he just contacted me again now with concerns.”

Fuck.I was the one who managed all the technology, but there had to be others who could step up too. Finding hackers was a whole issue in and of itself, but I planned to approach Alek and suggest we deepen and further develop our crew for cyber security.

“I’ll look into it when I am back. In the meantime, have him use an alternative phone.”

“Got it.”

I disconnected the call just as I reached the office where the new security supervisor worked. He was watching the surveillance feed as I entered, but he promptly lifted his face from the screen and addressed me.

He didn’t give me any bad vibes. Listening, nodding along, and repeating the facts that I emphasized, he seemed on top of things and ready to do as instructed. I left him shortly, pleased with that warm feeling of knowing things were in good hands here. I hated the suspicious feeling of someone not being reliable, and it was with my head held high and excitement flooding my veins that I ran back up to the penthouse where Nadia waited for me on the bed.

I hated being stuck on the phone, but it was a good reminder that this wasn’t a vacation. I’d gotten it into my head that this was like a getaway for us. What better way to lie low and stay off the grid than sharing every moment with each other, often naked and making love?

She’d acted aloof earlier, and although I was preoccupied on calls, I’d noticed. I was always observant around her, and I wondered what could have been bothering her. Almost to the point that she behaved moody and sad.

She had to be happy to get out of her engagement with Lev. I knew she was. The bright look of pure elation that covered her face when I told her I wouldn’t bring her back to Gregory was something I’d never forget.

Her happiness mattered, and I felt out of the loop and in the dark not knowing what could’ve made her sad or brooding.

It wasn’t that she was bored, I didn’t think. But maybe… lost? Her life was one form of upheaval after another, and I couldn’t fault her for feeling displaced and without direction.

Not for long, sweetheart. Not for long.As soon as Avilov was dealt with, she’d be with me, at whatever home we decided upon. For good.

“Did you stay put?” I called out when I walked into the suite moments later.

I closed and locked the door behind me, but I paused, wondering why it felt… greasy?

I furrowed my brow, looking back at the door handle. I was the last one who’d touched it, and it didn’t have that filmy, almost oily slickness to it.

Am I imagining things?

As I stared at it, red flags pinged in my mind.

She hadn’t replied yet.

“Nadia?”

I hurried toward the master bedroom where I’d left her. She was tired, but when I headed out, the look of pure lust shone in her eyes. Even if she was drowsy, she would’ve waited for my return. I was only gone a few minutes…

“Fuck!”

But it was long enough for her to be gone.

“Fuck,” I yelled again, searching the room. “Nadia!”

This was getting old. Really, really fucking old. The habit of looking for her at all. The nonstop game of wondering where the hell she had gone. When I told someone to stay put, it wasn’t a goddamn suggestion.

“Nadia!”

My heart raced as I sought her out. In the bathroom. The closets. Then the rest of the penthouse space. I ran through it all, hunting her down and finding her nowhere.

Panic rose within me, but a sense of humiliation and regret hit me too.

I was stupid, so fucking dumb to believe in her when she said she wanted to stay with me. It was all an act. A ploy. A pretense that she was happy to be with me here—or anywhere else.

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