Page 26 of Bratva Hostage

Aleksei nods. “Agreed. How do you plan to handle it with her?”

“I haven’t told her yet. I’ll approach her once we have everything prepared. She’ll fight, obviously. But it’s not truly up for debate.”

Maksim rubs his chin. “She might run. You know that.”

“I’ll make sure she can’t. We have enough men to watch every exit. If she’s foolish enough to attempt an escape, I’ll track her down myself.”

“Try to be diplomatic,” Aleksei suggests. “We need her safe and cooperative, or at least not actively sabotaging our efforts.”

I nod, though I can’t deny a subtle feeling of guilt. Cecily will resent me more than ever, but I can’t see another path. My priority is her safety, not her feelings. “I’ll handle it gently, but we can’t delay. Every day we wait is another day Thorne can strike.”

Akim checks his phone. “Grigor just sent a quick update. Seraphina remains secure, and no sign of Thorne’s men near her location. Seems like Thorne still has all his focus on Cecily.”

“Then we need to move,” I conclude. “Today, I’ll finalize the marriage arrangement. Tomorrow, I’ll talk to her. If we do it right, we’ll cut Thorne’s plans off at the knees.”

Aleksei stands and gathers his papers. “I’ll have the legal side prepared. We’ll keep it discreet. We don’t need Thorne catching wind until it’s too late.”

“She’s not going to be thrilled,” Maksim comments.

I lift my shoulders in the most careless shrug I can muster. She doesn’t have to be. She just has to be alive.”

Nikolai steps aside, letting Aleksei pass. “We’ll be behind you, no matter how this plays out.”

I give a curt nod. “Appreciate it.”

With that, the meeting concludes. My brothers disperse, each heading off to fulfill their roles. I remain in the room amoment longer, trying to calm the endless thoughts in my head. The plan is set. I’ve steeled myself for the backlash, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

When I leave, I walk directly to my office, keen on tying up the last details. The corridor is filled with quiet activity—guards patrolling, staff moving carefully, people trying not to draw attention. I step inside my office and shut the door. A stack of documents waits on my desk, some concerning family business, others referencing the marriage arrangement. The edges of the papers feel ominous, a tangible reminder that I’m about to change both Cecily’s life and my own.

I drop into my chair and begin rifling through the pages. Aleksei wants everything ironclad, including an official statement that Cecily marries into the Barkov name to ensure Thorne loses any legal or moral claim. The Bratva’s traditions can be brutal, but they’re clear-cut: once she’s one of us, Thorne’s only recourse is war. And we stand prepared for that. We’re not a scattered outfit that he can pick apart. We’re a united force with deeper roots than Thorne ever had.

Tomorrow, I’ll deliver the decision to Cecily. She’ll likely explode with anger and might throw something at me, but eventually, she’ll realize it’s non-negotiable. Cecily becomes a Barkov, and his leverage disappears instantly.

Chapter 10 - Cecily

I slam the door behind me and press my back against it. My heart is pounding from the argument I just finished with one of Dimitri’s guards. He tried to block me from walking the main corridor, babbling about “orders” and “security.” Every time I attempt to move freely in this mansion, someone reminds me that my life apparently hangs in the balance. I’m tired of it, but I know complaining to Dimitri yields little. He just doubles down on his protective stance, claiming this is for my own good.

I drop onto the edge of my bed, gripping the mattress so tightly that my knuckles ache. The guard’s voice still echoes in my head. He was only doing what Dimitri told him, but that doesn’t alleviate my frustration. This place is a fortress, and I feel like a prized captive.

Ever since Father’s men made an attempt on my life—and nearly succeeded—Dimitri turned this estate into a lockdown facility. I get it. He’s worried about spies and traitors. The fiasco with Leon proved that any of his men could be compromised. But he’s cranked his paranoia up to a level I can barely tolerate.

I stare at the walls, hating how every square inch of this building reminds me I’m stuck here. My father wanted to keep me under his thumb for years, and I managed to slip away only to end up in another form of captivity. The Barkov name keeps me physically safe, but it also boxes me in.

A knock rattles the door. My shoulders tense. Another guard? Possibly Dmitri himself? I groan, force myself to my feet, and open the door to see Watley standing there, completely unmoved by glaring.

“Dimitri wants to see you in his study,” the man says with a neutral tone. “Now.”

“Fine.”

He steps aside to allow me to pass. I set a brisk pace, ignoring every guard I pass. If I’m going to be summoned like this, I won’t act meek about it. Watley follows me as I move through a stretch of hallway that leads to a wide staircase.

Maybe Dimitri learned something about my father’s next move. Maybe he wants to scold me again for harassing his guards. Maybe he’s just bored and feels like reminding me that he holds the power here. Whatever the reason, I’m in no mood to listen to more condescension.

The butler gestures for me to enter a closed door on the right. Dimitri is standing behind his desk, and his grey eyes narrow on me the instant I walk in. Watley closes the door, leaving us alone.

“You wanted me?” I say, letting my voice carry as much defiance as I can muster.

He nods at the single chair facing the desk. “Sit.”

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