Page 11 of Broken By the Bratva

Vadik’s eyes appeared to have a sparkle in them as he came closer. He grinned as he spoke, sending a shiver down my spine. “That is four demands if I count correctly. You only have three. But let’s call it three then. Is that all?”

He stood searching my face as I took a deep breath. “Yes,” I breathed out. Vadik shoved me backward. Feeling the side of the bed behind my legs, I sat back. I wanted to appear in control and not stumble around trying to get my footing. I placed one leg over the other stretching my hands out behind me. “I’m not asking the world of you,” I added.

I watched as he paced up and down considering my words. When he finally stopped, his tone wasn’t friendly anymore. “Okay,” he spat at me. “But you will do as you are told! Do you understand?”

Nodding, I gave him a wide smile. He turned and stormed out slamming the door behind him. I listened as he moved away, and the hallway became silent. Breathing in and out hard, I felt relieved that my bluff worked.

I wouldn’t go to the Chrenykh’s. I knew better and was a tad wary of them. I would prefer not to meet them. But, lucky for me, Vadik was scared of them. I took a chance by putting my foot down.

After all, I didn’t really know Vadik or his brothers. The little Nadia shared about them. Well, let’s just say, I had to tread lightly. Flopping back onto the bed, I closed my eyes taking a deep breath.

Being allowed to participate would give me time to study them. This way, I could assess my next move. I hadn’t laid down long when I heard the knock at the door. Sitting up, I answered cautiously. “Yes?”

The door opened and there he was again. Vadik stood there looking at me as if he had won a bet or something. “Get up,” he said holding out his hand. “You’re coming with me to dinner.”

My stomach turned as I rose from the bed. Walking towards him, I felt uneasy. But I knew I had to comply. “Shouldn’t I wash and dress?” I inquired.

He studied me for a mere second before responding. “No, you’re fine.”

As I got to him, I took hold of my wrist and pulled me as he briskly walked downstairs to the dining room. He opened one of the doors that led out of the entrance hall. His two brothers were already seated at the table.

The table was in the middle of the room. It only held a place for six people, not like any of ours. However, mine at home was only made for two. But I never hosted any family functions and didn’t need a big table. To the back of the room was a swinging door.

Vadik pulled me to the table. His brothers rose as he spoke. “Evening, have a seat.” He let go of my arm and pulled out the chair next to his. As I sat down, he assisted pushing my chair forward before taking his place at the head of the table.

I was expecting a dinner for two, but now his brothers were also there. I swallowed hard at the impending lump growing in my throat. “I’m not hungry,” I said rising. “May I go back to my room?”

Vadik stood sharply as he grabbed my arm. “What’s the matter?” he huffed. “You better not try any tricks, you said you’ll cooperate, so sit down!”

Glancing at the other two, I tried to smile but my lips felt tight. I knew I had to keep my emotions in check. My body language couldn’t even give away what I felt. Shaking his hand off, I sat back down. “Nothing’s wrong. I said I’ll cooperate as long as you keep up your end of the bargain. But I didn’t sign up to be interrogated,” I responded flatly.

Leaning back, I folded my arms across my chest. This wasn’t going to be easy, but I knew I would survive. If they wanted Nadia, they wouldn’t hurt me. The door at the back opened and one of the maids came out with two trays.

She placed them in the middle of the table and hurried back out the door. Vadik poured wine into a glass before me and filled his before holding the bottle out to Pavel. I watched them closely. His brothers filled their glasses and returned the bottle to the ice bucket.

I was so deep in thought I almost jumped when Vadik spoke next to me. His voice was so deep I thought he would make a good murderer in a movie. Grinning at my thoughts I turned to face him as I responded. “Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t hear what you asked.”

Noting the frustration on his face, I wondered why my brain suddenly seemed to stop working. I wasn’t intentionally trying to be difficult but felt like I was in a daze.

“I asked you to explain how you deactivated my security system?” he replied.

The door at the back opened again and two maids came out carrying four plates. They placed a plate before each of us with a piece of steak. The older woman opened the two plates in the middle. One contained salad and the other slices of bread.

I noticed his brothers whispering and then Pavel laughed into his cuff. They were like two children which put me a tab more at ease, but I wasn’t going to show it. I looked at Vadik as the maids left the room.

Narrowing my brows, I spoke firmly, “Who said I liked wine, who are you to think you know what I want or need?”

“If it’s not to your liking just leave it and go thirsty. A woman of your stature surely drinks wine,” Vadik replied harshly.

Picking up the glass, I held it to the light studying its content. “Did you spike it?” I inquired as I placed it back down.

Vadik was now clearly annoyed at me. He reached out, took a sip, and placed it before me. “Happy now?” he huffed. “Now stop fucking with me and answer my question.”

Glancing at him, I could see he was angry. Smiling, I took hold of the glass and turned it between two fingers as I spoke. “You could have just said no it's not spiked. But now it contains your germs.”

It looked like I had stuffed a firecracker up his ass as his face turned red. He was about to explode when Maraki reached out and took hold of his arm. Vadik looked at him and Makarishook his head. He took a deep breath before huffing at Pavel. “Ask them to make her a milkshake.”

Pavel rose quickly and headed to the door. “Stop,” I exhaled as I rose. “I’m not a child,” I breathed out looking sternly at Vadik.

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