Page 17 of Bratva Hostage

“You’re not the only one confused.”

She exhales, gives me a slight nod, and then steps back. “I should go.”

I fight the urge to stop her. “Rest. We’ll know more about Thorne soon.”

She slips out the door, and the quiet in the room feels louder than before. My chest constricts with the knowledge that I’m more drawn to her than I want to admit.

She was supposed to be an asset to protect, a promise to keep. She was never supposed to be the one person who challenges me in ways I don’t have answers for. When my father was alive, he warned me about emotional entanglements in thislife, especially with someone who stands on the edge of our war. But here I am, letting her push every boundary I set.

I stare at the closed door and wonder if I’m making the biggest mistake of my life by allowing her to get this close. Then I gather the files, turn off the lamp on the desk, and tell myself I’ll find a way to keep my head clear.

I have to.

Yet the memory of her lips remains.

Chapter 6 - Cecily

I keep telling myself there’s a way out if I can just pay attention.

I wake early and wander through the halls, trying to appear bored or restless, all while making mental notes of who stands where and when. The Barkovs might be powerful, but even the most vigilant guards have a routine.

My day of espionage begins at breakfast. I’ve noticed some prefer to eat in shifts; others inhale coffee while on the job. A handful smoke on the terrace after they finish. I notice one man—Leon they call him—is late to his post almost every day, which creates a ten-minute gap in coverage at the west exit. Dimitri would be furious if he realized, but that might be something I can use.

Each day, I add new details to my mental notebook—when certain guards get tired or bored, how often they rotate. I pretend to stroll by a window, but I watch how they patrol the courtyard. They never stray from the designated paths. Sometimes they stop to chat, maybe for a minute, but that’s enough for me to slip out if I find the right time. I file that away, building a plan from the scraps of their habits.

After a full week of this, I know the basics of their schedule. I learn their names and start reading their expressions. Nikolai’s men stand with better posture; they’re younger guys who look hungry for action. Maksim’s men appear older and more experienced, but they still get complacent, especially after lunch. Aleksei’s men are easy to distinguish because they’re so formal. They rarely speak to me, and they focus on their jobs with an almost obsessive sense of duty.Akim’s men rotate through the perimeter, leaving small holes in coverage each time they swap.

I test a small theory by sneaking into a back corridor near the staff kitchen. A single guard stands watch, but he leaves for two minutes every afternoon to retrieve a meal tray. Those two minutes could be gold. I time him carefully, counting the seconds in my head. Next time, I might slip out through a rear door. Yet there’s a second guard who sometimes loiters nearby, so I’ll need to figure out his routine too.

I’m determined to find any opening I can. Dimitri thinks he can hold me here indefinitely, but I’m not going to let his brood of loyal soldiers cage me forever. I will get to my sister, damn it.

On the third day of my new fact-finding mission, I follow one of the maids, Irina, as she carries fresh linens to the guest rooms. She’s an older lady with kind eyes who greets me whenever she passes. I linger behind her, pretending to admire the décor.

I spot a small door at the end of the hallway, one I had never noticed before since there are usually men posted up there. Irina moves that way and pushes it open with her hip. She steps inside, and I catch a glimpse of a narrow staircase behind her. She disappears, and the door closes shut.

After checking that the coast is clear, I walk over and examine the door. It looks like a utility entrance, but it doesn’t match the standard layout of the estate. Maybe it’s an older part of the mansion. I pull gently on the handle. Locked. That’s interesting.

For the next few days, I watch Irina’s routine. She uses that door every morning and afternoon. Sometimes, she carries laundry. Other times, it’s cleaning supplies. Each time, shedisappears for a few minutes before returning with an empty bin or new items. No one else seems to use it. That only heightens my curiosity.

I corner her in the hall one afternoon, offering a polite smile. “Irina, right?”

She looks up, seeming surprised I know her name. “Yes, Miss Thorne. Can I help you with something?”

I glance at her cart. “I was wondering where that staircase leads. The one behind the small door in the east wing?”

“That’s a staff passage. It’s a narrow stairwell connecting the main floors to some old storage rooms.”

I do my best to feign casual interest. “Why is it locked?”

“Maintenance reasons.” She shrugs and avoids making eye contact. “It’s an older part of the estate. Not many people use it these days.”

I sense she’s not telling the entire truth. “Do you have the key?”

She grips the handle of her cart. “I do, but I’m afraid I can’t hand it out, Miss Thorne. It’s not my call. Mr. Dimitri might not want you exploring that area.”

“Right. I understand.”

She mumbles a polite goodbye and continues down the hall. I stand there, pondering. That hidden passage could be an ideal route if it leads somewhere near the outer walls. I just need a way to get in, maybe snag Irina’s key when she isn’t looking. I’ll have to be cautious; if Dimitri learns I’m snooping around staff passages, he’ll tighten security.

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