Page 12 of Forcibly Sold to the Bratva
I go pale and whimper. “Truckloads of money?”
“Shipment of cash heading toward my casinos and hotels,” he says impatiently.
Casinos. He owns casinos and hotels. I gulp and take a look around, understanding now how he happens to be so wealthy.
“Have you ever seen your brothers with a security detail?” he asks. “Are their vehicles bullet-proofed? When they travel abroad, where do they go most? Russia?”
His questions play on my mind, making me feel dizzy. “There’s a lot of cash involved in the import-export and restaurant business,” I try to explain, but in my mind, he’s managed to plant a seed of doubt. “It’s for… security,” I finish.
“And Russia?” he asks, realizing he’s got me here.
“We’ve got family there,” I say defiantly, casting aside all doubt. There’s no way I’m letting him toy with me, letting him wheedle himself into my brain. I have no idea what his agenda is, but he won’t be the one to turn me against my brothers. Not tonight. Not ever.
Ilariy moves closer again, until I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. “Tell me where they are meeting right now.”
“I don’t know!”
“Don’t lie to me,” he says softly, but I know it’s not him being polite.
“I’m not lying!” I shout back, surprising both of us with my volume. “And even if I did know, why would I tell you? You kidnapped me! You forced me to marry you! You’re keeping me prisoner!”
His eyes flash dangerously. “Because your brothers hurt people I care about.”
“My brothers wouldn’t hurt anyone,” I insist. “You’re mistaken. They don’t have the bandwidth or desire to go head-to-head with casino owners! Don’t you understand they’re simple people.”
“Your brothers,” Ilariy says with contempt, “are monsters. And you’re either the best actress I’ve ever met, or they’ve kept you in the dark about everything.”
“I’m not acting!” My frustration boils over, and I step forward, getting right in his face. “And if my brothers are such monsters, what does that make you? You bought me from those men like I was property! You seem pretty damn monstrous yourself, Ilariy!”
For a moment, he looks stunned at my outburst. Then, unexpectedly, his lips quirk into something almost like a smile. “You’ve got fire, princess. I’ll give you that.”
“Stop calling me princess,” I hiss, though the fight is draining out of me. I’m exhausted, terrified, and increasingly confused about everything I thought I knew.
“What should I call you then? Wife?” He says the word with cruel mockery.
“My name is Arina. Use it or don’t speak to me at all.”
“Fine, Arina.” He steps back, creating some distance between us. “I’m going to ask you one more time. Where are your brothers?”
I slump slightly, the weight of everything crashing down on me. “I genuinely don’t know. They don’t tell me much about their work. They say I would find it boring.”
Something in my defeated tone must convince him because he sighs heavily. “This isn’t how I expected this night to go.”
“That makes two of us,” I mutter.
He runs a hand through his hair, seeming to come to a decision. “You’ll stay here until your brothers come for you. Which they will, once they know I have you.”
“And if they don’t come?”
“They’ll come.” His certainty chills me. “In the meantime, you’ll be given a room. Don’t think of running out of the window. You’re always going to be watched.”
“Gee, thanks for the clarification. Here I was thinking this was a five-star hotel experience.”
He shakes his head and lets out a smile. “Well, don’t forget to leave me a review. Now come.”
I follow him because I know it’s foolish not to. Once I’m alone in that room, I might finally have time to think and make a call. I still have my cell phone, something Ilariy forgot to check for.
I try not to smile, realizing I might have the upper hand here.
