Page 78 of Forced Bratva Hostage

It was my father, knowing how cruel his son is, trying to keep me safe in the only way he knew how.

I lift my eyes to Boris, and he stares at me with calculated cruelty.

“I’ve figured out a way for you to have some kind of value to me,” he grins.

“How?” I ask, shifting on the bed, knowing that I don’t want to hear the answer.

“If you’d just behaved in the first place, none of this would’ve happened, Tatiana. It’s your fault you aren’t living a luxurious life anymore.” His cold eyes stare down at me with satisfaction, noting my worry.

“My life was never luxurious. I was nothing more than your prisoner. I didn’t have any freedom or any joy. Just because I had nice clothes doesn’t mean I was ever happy here,” I snap in anger.

The slap is sharp, and it stings across my cheek. Heat builds in the shape of a handprint on my skin.

I glare at him, refusing to show how much it hurts.

“You selfish bitch. You have no idea how good you had it before you betrayed me. But things are changing, and this time you’re going toearnyour place in this family. I don’t have to hurt you to get worth out of you.”

He brushes his fingers beneath my chin and tilts my head upward to look at him. His touch disgusts me, and I want to push his hand away, but I don’t.

“I’m going to introduce you to my business associates. One of them will want you. I’ll make a deal worth millions and sell you off to be a good little wife and create a new alliance for myself. That way, you’ll be out of my sight, but still a benefit to me.”

“I’m already married,” I squeal in horror.

His business associates are not the type of men who would treat me with care. I don’t know what kind of future that would be. Maybe death would be better.

He snorts.

“He’s dead, Tatiana. The marriage ended when his life ended. You’re single again, and I’m going to make the most of it.”

“I won’t do it, Boris. I’d rather die,” I snap.

“It’s not you who will bear the consequences of denying me. It’s Olivia, her sister, and her mother, and the other housekeepers who work here, slaving over you, cooking your food and making your bed. I will kill them one by one, and it will beyourfault, little sister. Do as you’re told, or they will suffer,” he says clearly, emphasizing the warning.

I grit my teeth together, hating that he is cruel enough to carry out his threat. I am already responsible for Andrei’s death, and I have no idea how I’m going to be able to carry that burden with me my entire life—I can’t be responsible for their lives ending, too. At this point, my life doesn’t matter. I am a pawn. I am nothing but a tool in someone else's game.

“I’ll do it,” I mutter, misery swallowing me up as I accept my fate.

“Good. Van is going to take you shopping for a new dress. There is a party tonight, and I need you to look better than you’ve ever looked before. Make sure it’s revealing, but I don’t want you looking like a slut. And do something with your fucking hair. It looks like you haven’t brushed it all week.”

I nod, self-consciously dragging my fingers through my hair. I haven’t been able to look at my own reflection for weeks. I can’t look into the eyes of the person responsible for Andrei’s death. I blame myself. I don’t deserve to feel pretty or to wear nice things. I deserve to be in the pain I’m in.

“Get out of my sight,” he snaps.

I stand up and walk out of my bedroom to find Van. I may as well get this over with.

***

I’m feeling suffocated.

He is hardly giving me space to breathe, never mind space to shop for a stupid dress. Van is a shadow, glued to my side, moving when I do—he doesn’t let me out of his sight as I walk around the mall, trying to find a dress my half-brother will approve of.

“You don’t have to stand so close,” I complain, trying to step away from him. I hate him. I hate being near him. He pushed that button. He planted the bomb.

“Shut up, bitch. Find a dress so we can get out of here.”

Letting out a slow breath, I try to control my frustration.

There is a glittery purple dress draped over my arm. I chose another one, a black velvet dress, and a third one, long flowing creamy white silk with a low-cut back.

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