Page 12 of Innocently Captured By the Bratva

”This is kidnapping, you know,” I spit out at last, my voice trembling with anger. “You can't just take me against my will.”

“I can, and I will,” Mark replies, his tone leaving no room for argument as he puts the car into drive.

Chapter 6 - Mark

I lead Quinn through the threshold of my home, her delicate wrists bound by cold metal cuffs. She fights me every step of the way.

”What the fuck do you think you're playing at?” she snarls, her neck craning to give me a glare with furious eyes.

I nearly stop in my tracks. Even in her rage, she's breathtaking. Yet I keep pushing her forward, knowing that we’re still too close to the door and any moment of weakness on my part would only make her run for it. “Now, now, Ms. Desmond. Is that any way to speak to your gracious host?”

“Host? You fucking kidnapped me!” She lunges back against me to make me lose balance, but I easily predict and sidestep her attack.

“I prefer to think of it as... an impromptu invitation.” I keep my tone light, but my grip on her arm remains firm.

Quinn struggles against me, her slim body twisting and turning with surprising strength. “Let. Me. Go!” Each word comes with an energized attempt to break free.

I tighten my hold, marveling at her fire. Most women would be cowering in fear by now, but not Quinn.

“I'm afraid I can't do that, Darling,” I say, gently pushing her towards the stairs. “You see, we have some rather pressing matters to discuss.”

She digs her heels in, nearly toppling both of us. “The only thing I want to discuss is that you’re going to jail for this, you hear me?”

I try hardnot toroll my eyes. Jail? Is she seriously going there right now after I saved her life?What a woman!”Yeah?And who's going to send me? You? I’ll take the risk until you’re no longer in danger.”

“I fucking hate you!” she hisses.

I lean in close, my lips barely grazing her ear. “You can hate me, alright. But you're staying put.”

She kicks back, her foot attempting to kick my shin. I wrap my arms around Quinn, pulling her tight against my chest. Her body goes rigid, but I can feel the rapid rise and fall of her breath. My own heart races at the proximity.

“Settle down, Quinn,” I murmur, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. “You're only making this harder on yourself.”

Quinn shivers, and I'm not sure why. It’s not anger. Could it be the same longing I feel? No, I tell myself firmly. I’m overreaching. The scent of her perfume fills my senses, making my head spin.

I feel her relax slowly in my arms, her back molding to my chest. It's subtle, but I notice every tiny shift of her body against mine. The heat between us is palpable and electric.

”Give me a chance to explain,” I whisper, thinking I have an opening now to convince her to comply with me.

She stiffens once more, as if suddenly becoming aware of herself.

I take a step back, releasing Quinn from my embrace but keeping my hands on her shoulders.

”Now,” I say, “let's talk about why you're really here.”

Quinn takes rapid breaths and cranes her neck again to listen as I lead her up the stairs. “Oh, please enlighten me. I'm dying to know why I've been kidnapped and manhandled by an arrogant asshole.”

I can't help but smirk at her fiery retort. God, she's magnificent when she's angry.

”Charlie Letvin,” I say, watching her face carefully. “Ring any bells?”

Her brow furrows slightly as she stumbles on the stairs. I quickly wrap an arm around her waist to hold her steady, and she looks up at me inquiringly, her lips parted for air. God, she looks so wretchedlybeautifulin this moment.

”You know it was Letvin in my apartment?” she asks, her voice husky.

I lean in, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Let's just say your potential client Charlie has taken quite an interest in you and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to make sure you’re his. And that’s not dangerous for the reasons you might think.”

Quinn's eyes widen for a fraction of a second before narrowing dangerously, but she keeps up with me as we head up the stairs. “What are you talking about?”

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