Page 5 of Forced Bratva Hostage

It’s just the estate where I live. That’s all.

My heart sinks when Van is waiting at the end of the long driveway, and he tugs the door open before the car comes to a stop.

He reaches inside, grabs my arm, and literally drags me out.

I lose my balance and fall to my knees, and he angrily lifts me to my feet.

“Where the fuck were you, Tatiana?” he snarls, his breath hot in my face.

“I informed the head guard I was going to the mall, and I took guards with me,” I stammer, trying to let him know that I followed all of the rules required of me.

“But you fucking went shopping. Did you get permission to spend money? How much did you spend?” he shakes me, and my neck tweaks in pain.

I want to kick him and push him away, but I know better. Van loves violence. The moment I start fighting back, he gets more aggressive, and it only gets worse for me.

He’s towering over me, and his eyes are dark with anger as he glares down at me.

“I didn’t spend a lot, but my brother has more than enough, so what difference does it make?” I mutter quietly.

The backhand he deals is sharp and stings across my cheek. His ring causes the most pain.

A loud cry bursts from my lips and he slaps me again.

“Shut up. No one wants to hear you, you pathetic little brat,” he snarls.

Tears sting my eyes as I lift my hand to touch my face. My skin is hot and burning.

“Don’t you fucking ever spend money without permission again. Do you think he works for you? Do you think it’s your money?”

Anger floods every cell in my body as I fight to bite my words back.If I were allowed to work, I’d make my own fucking money.

I stare at Van with hatred spilling from my eyes. I hate it when he sees me cry. The pleasure in his expression makes me sick to my stomach.

Van reaches out and wraps his hand around my jaw, pulling my face close to his.

“Pretty little princess needs to learn a lesson or two,” he says, his words dripping with suggestion. “I only need one night alone with you to teach you how to respect the men in your life. Maybe tonight, I’ll pay you a visit.” His words churn bile inside me. I squeeze my eyes shut to block out the sight of him. That thick scar that runs over his cheek, the dark stubble over his jaw, the thick crop of hair, always slicked back with oil—

He lets me go, and I stagger backwards.

Without giving him another chance to taunt me, I make a run for the mansion, escaping him and his power trip.

Upstairs, I throw my shopping bag onto the bed and slam my door shut before pulling my phone out of my pocket to dial my brother.

“Boris, it’s me,” I say, fighting tears again.

“What do you want?” he snaps.

“Van hit me. He slapped me on the face and—"

“Honestly, Tatiana, you probably deserved it, and I’m tired of you constantly running to me to complain about him. He’s doing his job. He’s doing exactly what I asked him to do—to make sure you stay in line and out of trouble. If you have a problem with him, you have a problem with me, and I don’t fucking care if you have a problem with me. And technically, you shouldn’t have anything towards me but gratitude. For the luxurious fucking life I provide for you.”

My entire body is shaking as I listen to my brother’s cruel response.

“But he hit meagain—and he threatened to come into my room. The last time you said I should tell you if—"

“I changed my mind. If he needs to dish out some punishment, because if that’s the only way you are going tolearn,then he needs to do what he needs to do. Now, was there anything else you wanted to waste my time with? Because I have better things to do than listen to you fucking whine.”

I swallow hard and take a sharp breath. “No,” I stammer, my heart aching.

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