Page 69 of Bratva's Captive

Our lovemaking is a blur.

As we lie there, our bodies entangled and our breathing slowly returning to normal, I feel a profound sense of intimacy and vulnerability. Nikolai's weight on top of me feels comforting, his presence a soothing balm to the storm of emotions within me. I can still feel the warmth of his semen filling me, evidence of our intimacy.

I realize the depth of what we've shared. It's more than just a sexual union for me. The intensity of our encounter has bonded my soul to him. My heart aches knowing that this connection to Nikolai is a curse for me.

I trace my fingers gently along Nikolai's back, feeling the rise and fall of his breath against my skin. There's a tenderness in his touch, a silent acknowledgment of the passion and vulnerability we've experienced together. Despite his stoic exterior, I yearn for a flicker of something more beneath the surface, a hint of the emotions he guards so fiercely.

Nikolai reaches over and brushes a strand of hair away from my face. My heart races as his hand lingers on my cheek. He leans in closer, and I can almost feel his breath on my skin.

A mix of joy and sorrow fills my heart as I wrap my arms around Nikolai. I want to memorize every detail of his face, commit it to memory so that I can relive these moments over and over again. If only I could stop time and remain cradled in Nikolai's embrace for eternity. Yet the unforgiving truth of our parting reminds me that life doesn’t work that way.

With a heavy sigh, I summon the strength to untangle myself from Nikolai's embrace, reluctantly breaking our physical connection. As I gather my scattered clothing and dress, I feel empty. The thought of leaving Nikolai’s side and moving forward with my life feels unbearable. My love for Nikolai engulfs me compelling me to stay with him, but when I turn to look at the bed Nikolai has vanished without a trace. The bed is freshly made. All evidence of our lovemaking gone…

I abruptly wake up, my cheeks stained with tears. The vividness of my dream with Nikolai lingers, and I feel nothing but pain.

The harsh reality of our circumstances, of the depth of my love for Nikolai, crashes upon me. The divide between the Bratva and my own life serves as a constant reminder that any relationship with him is forbidden. As much as I long to hold onto my dream, to savor the taste of his lips and the feel of his body against mine, I know that I cannot. Our time together is over. I must face the painful truth that we are meant to be on separate paths. Forever apart.

So, this is what love feels like. Exhilaration and terror. I know I will never feel this way about anyone else. My heart belongs to him, and I will never be able to let him go, even in the face of the painful reality that we will never see each other again.

I lie in bed, surrendering to my tears.

Chapter 31

Adalina

I haven’t spoken to anyone, not even my father, in two days. The only people I have seen are my father’s bodyguards bringing me meals on a tray. My face, arms and legs are covered in dark bruises. The wedding gown will hide most of them. Except for the ones on my face. I refuse to cover them up, I will wear them proudly and show the world what my father does to me behind closed doors.

I get ready for my wedding day alone. No makeup artist, no hairstylists, nothing. No reception, no family—just a quick church ceremony. No photographer, no flowers, no bridesmaids. I slip into the wedding gown and style my hair. I do not wear the wedding veil; I want my face to be seen. I am ready to embrace what lies ahead in my future.

The two days in solitary confinement have given me time to think. Time to plan. I will marry Mario and sleep with him on our wedding night. I have to in order to keep Delphina safe. When Mario is not around, I will access the email, information, new identities, and funds Nikolai provided for me from an Internet café. I will somehow get to O’Hare airport and leave this world behind me. I will contact Delphina and have her meet me in Mexico. Delphina and I will assume new identities and start over somewhere new.

My father barges into my room without knocking. He sees that I am dressed in my wedding gown and grabs my arm and hauls me out of the hotel suite. A team of my father’s men following behind us.

I take a deep breath as I sit next to my father in the back of a limousine. Anxiety and fear churn in my stomach. I can't believe I'm moments away from marrying someone I despise. My father orchestrated this marriage to secure a business deal with Mario, and I had no choice but to comply in order to keep Delphina from taking my place.

My father practically drags me down the aisle in the unfamiliar church. The church is almost empty, the only guests in attendance are Outfit people, all dressed in their finest clothes, and they are all looking at me, the bride. I try to put on a brave face and smile, but my heart is heavy with sorrow. Mario looks at me with a grin on his face, probably thinking I am excited about our union. Little does he know; I am in love with someone else and disgusted by him.

As we reach the altar, my father grabs my arm and hands me over to Mario. I don’t smile. I take a quick look around the church, hoping to see Delphina and Mama somewhere, but they are nowhere to be found.

As soon as my father walks away, Mario leans down and whispers in my ear, “I know you’re not a virgin and you gave what was mine to that Russian bastard! Tonight, I will fuck you in every hole and then tomorrow I will give you to my men to play with. After they are finished with you, I will share you with my business associates. You will become my personal whore to farm out as I see fit. I will break you. And when I get tired of you, you will die in an unfortunate accident. Then I will marry your sister Delphina to take your place.”

Mario smiles as he whispers his filthy promises in my ear. I am in shock. I can’t speak. How did he know about Nikolai? Did my father betray me and tell him? I can barely move. I am frozen with fear. I can barely move as I stand at the altar waiting for the nuptials to begin.

Mario firmly grips my hand. I look down at my feet. The ceremony begins, but I fail to listen to the elderly priest's words. My mind is consumed by thoughts of what Mario has in store for me. In this moment, I realize that my life will never be the same and that it is over.

With absolute fear, I await the dreaded moment when the priest will ask me if I take Mario to be my lawfully wedded husband. I know I must respond with an obligatory "I do." There is no alternative, no escape from this fate. I imagine Mario radiating with delight, relishing in his revenge, and I feel sick to my stomach.

Nikolai

I take a deep breath as I stand outside the back of church, away from the paparazzi, preparing to confront Bobby Vincenzio about the treachery of Mario Alfonso and Maxim. I know this is a risky move, but I have no choice. The stakes are too high, and I need the Outfit's support to protect my interests which include Adalina.

The wedding ceremony has already begun. My heart is pounding in my chest. This is the moment that will determine everyone’s fate, including Adalina’s. I realize that my life will never be the same again.

As I enter the church, I notice Bobby Vincenzio, his wife, and his older brother Paul Vincenzio seated in the front row. Adalina stands at the altar, her white dress gracefully trailing behind her as she keeps her head lowered. It's hard for me to believe that Adalina is willingly proceeding with this marriage. Deep down, my instincts tell me that something is terribly wrong.

I wait silently at the back of the church, my gaze locked on Alfonso, who stands beside Adalina at the altar. My heart races within my chest. Adalina will not become Alfonso's wife. She is mine, she belongs to me.

With a subtle gesture, I signal Misha and my six men to take their positions. Guns are discreetly held, ready for any possible confrontation with the members of the Outfit present in the church. We are aware of the heavily armed men among them, and we must be prepared to defend ourselves.

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