Page 13 of Broken By the Bratva

Moving back downstairs, I asked one of my guards to stand watch by her door. I would signal him if I needed him to move in. Hopefully, she wasn’t stupid enough to try this. I had to go outside.

As I came around the side of the house, I saw her hanging from her makeshift rope. It wasn’t long enough to reach the ground. But as I moved through the trees, I saw her swinging. Before I could call out or move closer, she let go. Tasha splashed into the pool covering me in water as well.

Well, I thought she made it. I moved back into the trees and waited. She came up gasping, but her smile was insanely broad. She thought she had made it out.

Stepping out, she looked around before making a run for it. Yet, I had correctly anticipated her next move. I was waiting between the trees and casually walked out in front of her. “Where do you think you’re going?” I asked calmly.

Tasha stopped in her tracks, her face instantly turning white as the blood drained from it. “I, I…,” she stumbled over her words.

“Right, then,” I added taking her arm and dragging her back inside. She sighed but didn’t fight me. “What happened to being cooperative?” I asked as we were nearing her room.

Tasha slapped at me with her free hand as she responded. “You haven’t even approved any of my requests yet.’

Stopping, I stared at her as I spoke. “I was on my way to come and tell you that I have come to a decision. But it seems you can’t keep your word.”

“No, please, I will,” she replied smiling softly as she took my hand. “I thought you had decided not to allow me those things. Please, I will keep my word.”

Her touch was soft, warm, and alluring. Feeling her touch filled me with a sense of completeness. I assumed it was what completeness felt like. “I have decided that I will allow your demands. Yet, there will be limits.’

Tasha pulled back, turned, and walked into the room as she responded. “Limited, what do you mean? Will you only allow them with an expiration date stamped on them?”

Following her, I stopped at the door as she turned back, folding her arms across her chest. I couldn't help but laugh at her ridiculousness. “No,” I said. “There is no expiration date stamped on them. What I meant by limited is that I will be present when you contact your family, got it?”

She frowned as she replied. “Well, I probably don’t have any choice in that.”

“Good girl, I see you are starting to understand who is in charge,” I said.

At this point, she was glaring at me but didn’t respond. “Then, regarding your activities,” I continued. “I will allow you to participate in some of our jobs. But there will be jobs that I will not allow you to join.”

She lowered her arms to her sides as she spoke. “But what will I then do when you are not here? I get bored quickly and may end up snooping. I’m sure you don’t want that.”

“Hold your horses. I will get things to keep your bright mind occupied. Then, addressing your last request,” I said walking closer to her. “I will not force you into any sexual relationship as that is not the kind of man I am. I will, however, give you what you need in that department if you want it.”

Standing before her, I gently caressed her arms from her shoulders down to her hands. Tasha didn’t move. For a second it was like she was a statue. But then she stepped back and walked to the window.

“Thank you, but that will not be an issue as I do not need such things,” she replied. She stood staring out the window.

Deciding to leave her be for now, I walked out and closed the door. Heading to my office, I wondered what she meant. Sitting down, I stared at the pile of papers on my desk.

I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket before it started ringing. Rising, I pulled it out and checked the caller ID. It was Iosif, the eldest son of the Chernykh Family. Taking a deep breath, I swiped the screen and answered. “Hi, Iosif, how can I assist today?”

“Yes, yes,” Iosif grumbled. “I have a job for you. This has to be done now, no toiling around, you hear me?”

“I understand, Iosif,” I replied.

He grumbled something under his breath before speaking to me again. “I’ve sent the detail through, get it done!”

I was about to answer when I heard the dial tone. I have never known Iosif to be a patient man. At times, he was rude and abrupt as well, which made working with him hard. Yet, I knew it had to be done.

Opening the message he sent, I read through the instructions. I felt conflicted as I looked at it. I had told Tasha she could participate but I didn’t want to have her involved with Chernykh missions.

If word got to them about her, things could escalate rapidly. I didn’t want that. Sitting back down at my desk, I breathed in slowly. This was going to be a long day. I wasn’t only concerned that they would mess up my plans. But I could imagine their reaction to having a Dubow at their dispense.

No matter what happened, I had to ensure no one found out who she was. Shaking my head, I stared at the documents before me. I couldn’t help but frown as I went through them. There was no way I was going to get this done on my own.

I needed help, no, we needed help. Even my brothers would be able to do this. Going through it again, I double-checked it ensuring I understood the brief correctly. Frustrated, I slammed my fist into the table. I felt disappointed, they knew we couldn’t do this.

Picking up the phone, I called some of the people we had used in the past. Everyone was busy and no one could assist. Slamming the phone into the base a couple of times, I rose from my table. This was unbelievable, they were setting us up to fail. Had we not paid enough for Nadia?

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