Page 16 of Forced Bratva Hostage

He nods.

“You can go, then.”

He doesn’t waste a second, grabbing his things, he rushes out of the cabin without a single word.

I don’t move.

She’s still pressed between me and the kitchen counter, her back against my chest.

Leaning down, I sniff her hair, letting it fall between my fingers as I run them through the silky chocolate curls. She smells like a woman. Sweet, soft, and delicate.

I don’t realize how distracted I am until her elbow slams into my ribs.

The low, deep rumble of laughter that rolls through me seems to upset her. “Get off me, youasshole,” she snaps, trying to push away from the counter to free herself.

I step back, pulling her along for the ride.

“Well, wife, we can go home now.”

“What, this shithole isn’t your home? But it suits you. A filthy hermit living out in the middle of the forest, smelly and wild—" She turns in my arms and looks up at me, but when our eyes meet, her words cut off. She takes a sharp breath, blinking. Her lips part.

“Um,” she murmurs, dragging her eyes away from mine.

“Um, indeed,” I smirk.

The drive to the mansion is easier than the drive to the cabin. I have her cuffed in the backseat. She’s sulking, but not fighting—for the moment, anyway. Perhaps she’s exhausted herself earlier.

We drive through the security gates into my estate, and the guards nod in greeting. When I glance in the rearview mirror, I see surprise on her face. Her brows are knotted as she stares at the mansion. One night at the cabin has clearly thrown her off. She made assumptions about me and who I am. Good. I like the fact that she’s out of her depth. In the unknown.

She wasn’t expecting this; even though she would be used to luxurious properties, living the life she’s lived, she didn’t anticipate that her stay with me would be like that.

I tug the back door open and reach inside. She tries to shift away from me, but I grab her wrist and slide her across the seat towards me.

When she realizes I’m going to undo the cuffs, she’s suddenly very cooperative. “This estate is surrounded by guards, cameras, and fencing. There are dogs and security guys patrolling the outside perimeter as well. Don’t bother trying to escape.”

“Are you going to tell me what I’m doing here?” she sasses.

“Mm. No, I can’t say I feel the need to explain anything to you. Follow me.” I turn and walk away from the car.

Two guards move close, keeping an eye on her.

When I glance back, she is following, despite the angry scowl etched on her forehead. She looks cute when she’s so mad. A sly grin touches my lips.

Inside the house, the servants line up as they have been told to do upon her arrival.

Tatiana stands at my side as I introduce her to each of them.

“This is Maggie, Edgar, Lennie and Lisa. If you need anything, you can ask them. Food, clothes, whatever.”

To my surprise, she greets each of them politely. This is the first time I’ve ever seen her be nice to anyone. But the moment doesn’t last long.

After they say their hellos, they leave to continue with their work, and she has the same sour look on her face again.

“I’ll show you the bedroom,” I say, waving my hand for her to walk with me, but she hesitates. I’m impatient and have other things to do, so I take her hand and pull her forward.

Outside her bedroom, standing in the doorway, I gesture with my chin towards her bed. “You’ll sleep here. In the closet,you’ll find a selection of clothing in your size, along with a few other things I thought you might need. There is a bathroom through that door to the left. Every single window is barred; you can’t get out, so please don’t annoy me by trying.” I speak with my eyes piercing into her, trying to make her understand that I don’t have time for games or bullshit.

She steps into her room and looks around. “This is my room?”

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