Page 28 of Bratva's Captive

I awaken to the throbbing pain in my head and shivers coursing through my body. I find myself lying on a thin mattress on a hard and cold concrete floor. In the dim light, I can make out the steel bars enclosing me. It takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust, but when they do, I realize I am in a small prison cell. I gingerly move my legs and notice the weight of an ankle bracelet. Struggling to push myself up, I finally stand, steadying myself against the bars for support. The cell is a depressing sight, and I can't shake the feeling of dread that has enveloped me.

I try to recall how I ended up here, but my memory is fuzzy. The last thing I remember is being in Nikolai's SUV, feeling a sharp sting on my neck, and then everything went black. I wonder if Nikolai is okay, or if he is also being held captive somewhere. My heart races as I reach for my cellphone in my pocket, but it's gone. I can't help but fear that Mario has found out about Nikolai and me and is exacting some twisted revenge on us.

As I stand there, trying to make sense of the situation, a sudden realization hits me: I am a prisoner. I am trapped in this cell, and I don't know how long I'll be here. The fear and anxiety bubble up inside me, and I can't stop myself from wondering what will become of me.

“Nikolai?” I whisper. No response. He must still be unconscious or…I can’t think about that.

“Mario,” I scream, “Let me out of here!” I grab and shake the bars. Fear grips me as I realize I'm completely alone in this dungeon. I call out for Nikolai, but there's no answer. Suddenly, I hear footsteps echoing down the stairs. A shadowy figure approaches, dressed in all black. I strain to see through the darkness, and as he steps closer, recognition dawns on me. He just smiles at me and tilts his head. He has the look of a predator on his face. He has never looked at me like that before.

"Good morning, Adalina," Nikolai's deep and calm voice resonates through the air. I grip onto the cold metal bars, my heart racing with fear. "Nikolai?" I call out, my voice trembling. "What's happening? Why am I here?" Desperation fills my words as I urgently seek answers. The rising panic in my throat threatens to overwhelm me as I await his response. Nikolai's eyes flicker with a dangerous glint as he leans closer to the bars, his voice low and measured.

"I am Nikolai Fedorov, the new Vor or Boss of the Chicago Bratva," he declares with a menacing tone. "And you, Adalina Gaito, are a pawn in my game against the Chicago Outfit and your fiancé, Mario Alfonso." His words jumble in my mind as I struggle to comprehend the situation. "I have kidnapped you to send a message to the Outfit, so they will learn not to cross me and get away with it."

Oh my God. How could I have been so naive? Shame washes over me, and I feel utterly foolish. "How do you know my last name?" I manage to ask, my mind racing with countless questions.

"Yes, I have known who you are all along. I was aware of your presence at the bar. I went there hoping you were meeting your fiancé, but you were not. So..." Nikolai's voice trails off, leaving the statement hanging in the air.

I recoil from the bars, my eyes widening in shock. "What? How could you do this?" I whisper, my voice barely audible. Nikolai's expression remains cold and unyielding. "You are merely a means to an end. Once I have what rightfully belongs to me, what the Outfit stole, you will be returned to your family." His chilling tone sends shivers down my spine, revealing the true extent of Nikolai's danger.

Rage and indignation surge through me as I grasp the reality of Nikolai's deceit. He had manipulated me from the start. He is a part of the Russian Bratva, known for their brutality and lack of mercy. The depth of his ruthlessness becomes clear. "You used me, you despicable bastard!" I scream, gripping the bars tightly. "I'm nothing more than a pawn in your sick game. You're willing to risk everything for power?" The comprehension of his true intentions fills me with disgust.

My heart shatters into countless fragments as I realize the extent of my foolishness in believing Nikolai's affection for me. I had surrendered myself to him, convinced he was different from the others, only to discover his cruelty and manipulation, just like my fiancé. The mere thought of Nikolai’s touch sickens me. Was I nothing more than a tool for his personal gain? Anger and pain surge through me, and tears stream down my face. How could he do this to me? The man who once made me feel loved and cherished is now a monster in my eyes.

Anger and hurt intertwine within me as I lock eyes with Nikolai. My entire life has been dictated by my father, and now this man comes along and uses me as a pawn in his sick game. The realization of being manipulated and exploited by someone like Nikolai fuels my rage. "You have no idea the consequences of your actions," I hiss, seething with anger. "You have destroyed my life to fulfill your selfish desires. How can you be so heartless? So cruel?" I inhale deeply, my voice trembling with fury. "You will never escape the consequences. My family and the Outfit will come for you. And when they do, you will pay dearly for what you have done to me." My words carry a mix of determination and righteous anger. I stare at Nikolai, my gaze filled with defiance, refusing to let him break me.

Nikolai shrugs nonchalantly, a wicked smirk playing on his face. The sight of it intensifies my urge to slap him across the cheek, but I restrain myself. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing my emotions unravel. Deep down, I know that this man, driven by his thirst for power and revenge, underestimates the strength and resilience that lie within me.

With a steely resolve, I take a step back, distancing myself from the bars. Nikolai's presence may be overwhelming, his intentions vile, but I refuse to be reduced to a mere pawn in his twisted game. As the seconds tick by, a glimmer of defiance flickers in my eyes. I will fight back. I will find a way to escape this prison.

Nikolai's eyes meet mine, his expression a mixture of amusement and arrogance. "We'll see about that, Adalina," he retorts, his voice laced with a cold determination. "But for now, you will remain here until the Outfit learns their place. You will witness the consequences of their actions."

As the weight of his words settles upon me, I know that this battle has only just begun. Despite the fear and uncertainty coursing through my veins, a spark of defiance ignites within me. Nikolai may have thought he had the upper hand, but he has awakened a fire within me.

"Why did you sleep with me? Was that all part of your plan too? How could you do this to me? I thought you cared about me!" I yell.

"To be honest, I didn't plan on sleeping with you. But when you offered and the opportunity presented itself, well, I am a man, and I couldn't say no. However, I did not and do not care about you, Adalina. In fact, the whole encounter was unremarkable. Although I managed to take some nude selfies of you and, of course, the bloody sheet."

My heart sinks with humiliation and anger as I listen to Nikolai's cruel words. "So, you slept with me just because you could? Just because I offered? I can't believe I thought you cared about me. You're nothing but a heartless monster!"

Nikolai laughs.

"And now you have nude photos of me? How could you do that to me? You violated me in every possible way. You have no idea how much you have hurt me." My voice cracks.

Nikolai's expression twists into a cruel smile as he speaks. "You see, Adalina, those pictures are actually for your fiancé, Alfonso. You remember him, right? The one you were going to marry before I ruined your life?" His tone is mocking and filled with contempt. "I was going to send them to him on his wedding night, just to show him that I had beaten him to his own bride. He threatened me, you see. And I don't take kindly to threats. But circumstances changed, and I need you to convince the Outfit to give me what I want."

"I thought you cared about me."

Nikolai looks at me with a cruel smile. "Cared about you? Don't flatter yourself, Adalina. You are just a means to an end. Nothing but a spoiled Italian princess. I could never be interested in you. Your virginity was merely a bonus, a cherry on top. I took what I wanted from you because I can. And now, you're nothing but a liability. A burden I have to deal with until I get what I want. You're too naive and inexperienced for me. I prefer my women more... adventurous, shall we say? I don't have time for virgins like you." He chuckles darkly, relishing in my pain and humiliation.

"How could you say something like that to me? I gave you everything that night. I thought I meant something to you, but I was just another conquest, wasn't I?"

Nikolai covers his mouth as he yawns, dismissing my words.

I back away from him, my heart racing with fear and betrayal. "I don't want any part of this," I say, my voice trembling with emotion. "I just want to go home. Please, Nikolai, let me go back to my family." My eyes plead with him, desperate for mercy.

Nikolai's cold gaze follows me as I retreat to the corner of the cell, his expression unreadable. "No," he says quietly, and I feel my stomach drop. "You are too important to my plan."

Tears stream down my face as I plead with Nikolai to end this torment. "You may as well kill me now. Nobody cares about me. Mario Alfonso certainly doesn't care about me." My voice trembles with emotion, and I feel broken and hopeless.

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