Page 13 of Innocently Captured By the Bratva

”You deserve to know the truth. That night, when I saw Charlie taking an interest in you, I couldn’t just walk away because I know what he’s capable of and who he is. I rescued you from his clutches that night, for sure. But something told me that wouldn’t be the end of it. I kept an eye on you for your security, to make sure you were truly safe. During that time, I learned about your work. I noticed you’ve had powerful clients from all walks of life, including some from unsavory backgrounds.”

”Unsavory backgrounds?” she asks, narrowing her eyes.

”The Bratva, the Mafia, drug lords. I think you’ll understand when I say that Charlie has taken a strong interestin you and that he leads a fucking awful unit of the Bratva,” I explain, enjoying the way her eyes widen in surprise. “And sweetheart, believe me when I say you don't want to find yourself caught in the middle of that shitstorm.”

“I didn’t know,” she whispers, shaking her head.

”Well, now you do.” We reach the top of the stairs and come to a stop. I gently release her shoulders and she turns to face me, her hands still handcuffed behind her.

”Look,” she sighs, trying to negotiate. “Even if he is Bratva, I can handle it. I have connections. Previous clients who could help me handle this.”

”No, I’m afraid you can’t. It’s personal. He has it out for you and there’s nothing your previous clients can do about that.”

”And why is that?” Her voice is cautious, picking up on what I might say.

”Because,” I run a hand through my hair, “after I declared you my fiancée, Charlie’s desire for you has most likely escalated. There’s nothing he enjoys more than watching me lose, and he’ll find a way to have you prove to me that he’s won again. This has gone beyond his interest in you; it has turned into something darker.”

Quinn's face flushes with rage as she shudders. “You bastard,” she hisses. “This is your fault. Why did you have to tell him we were engaged? If you hadn't stepped in with that stupid declaration that—”

“I know,” I raise my hands in a placating gesture. “I wasn’t thinking beyond helping you in that moment. I wasn’t thinking straight. But look, I'm here to help you now.”

She laughs, a sharp, bitter sound. “Help me? Your grand plan made me a target for a Bratva mobster, and now you’ve had the audacity to kidnap me!”

”Quinn,” I say, rather frustrated at why she isn’t understanding that I did what I did for her. “Extreme circumstances call for extreme measures. Would you have come willingly if I'd asked?”

Quinn's silence is all the answer I need.

”Look,” I say, running a hand through my hair, “I have a solution that'll keep you safe and Charlie out of your hair. We just need to—”

”No,” Quinn cuts me off, her green eyes flashing with determination. “I don't need your help or your ‘solution’. I can handle this myself.”

I can't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle, which only seems to infuriate her more. “Quinn, you have no idea what you're up against. Charlie's not the kind of man you can reason with over coffee.”

She takes a step towards me, her chin tilted up defiantly. “I built my business from the ground up. I've dealt with my fair share of difficult men.”

”Not like this, you haven't,” I counter, my amusement fading. “This isn't a game, Quinn.”

”Oh, I'm well aware,” she snaps. “But you already made the situation bad enough, so there’s no chance I’m going to trust you now.”

She turns to her side, one step in front of her, reaching for the stairs.

”Hell no!” I growl, sliding my hand around her stomach and pulling her back until her ass is rubbing against my cock.Fuck, her hair smells divine, and for a brief moment, I close my eyes, savoring the feel of her against me.

But she still struggles in my arms, and I force myself to remember that she isn’t mine for the taking. She’s simply here so I can protect her, and whatever effect she has on me needs to be blocked out now. I picture Charlie’s face and grunt in her ear, ”Don’t you dare try to run.”

She tries again, but I grip her firmly and pull her backward down the hall, toward the room. I can feel my jaw tighten. Her stubbornness is both infuriating and strangely appealing. “Your way will get you killed.”

”Let me go so I can clean up this mess,” she enunciates each word like a slap.

I feel my control slipping, my voice rising to match hers. “And what exactly is your brilliant plan? March into Charlie's office and demand he leave you alone? He'll eat you alive!”

”At least I'll die on my own terms,” Quinn shouts back, her chest heaving.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. This isn't getting us anywhere.

”Quinn,” I say, my voice low and intense. “You're staying here. That's not negotiable.”

Her green eyes flash with anger. “You can't just—”

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