Page 32 of Chased & Bred by the BRATVA
Maksim’s gaze flickers toward me. “How long do you plan on keeping her inside?”
“Until I can be sure she’s safe.”
“Safe from what?” Roman asks. “From us?”
“From the world,” I snap. “From anyone who might think she’s alone.”
“You almost killed the men who tried to take her,” Maksim says. “The message was sent. Loud and clear.”
I nod once. “It’s not just that. She’s not some fling. She matters.”
Silence stretches between us. Maksim sets his hand over Clara’s and gives a slight nod. Roman doesn’t smirk this time. Doesn’t joke.
Instead, he steps forward. “What are your intentions, then?”
The question lands like a punch between my ribs. Not because I didn’t expect it, but because the answer comes so fast I can’t hide from it.
“She’s mine,” I say. “I’m not letting her go.”
“That’s not an answer,” Maksim says quietly.
“I want her here. In my bed. In this house. I want her to live like she belongs to me, because she does.”
Clara’s expression softens. “Does she know that?”
“She’s figuring it out.”
Maksim folds his arms. “Then maybe it’s time she had a say in it.”
The words settle like weight on my shoulders. I don’t flinch. I know they’re right. I’ve taken her, claimed her, protected her, but I haven’t asked her.
I nod. “I’ll take her to her place. Let her grab what she wants. Make it real.”
Roman tilts his head. “Not worried she’ll run?”
“If she does,” I say, voice low and steady, “I’ll chase her. Again.”
Maksim’s lips twitch like he’s fighting a smile.
I turn without another word, the tension in my chest a strange mix of anticipation and dread. She’s mine. I’ve marked her, loved her, buried my body so deep in hers I could taste her soul, but this is the moment that makes it real.
If she packs her things and comes back with me, it’s a choice.
And if she doesn’t… I’ll burn the city down.
Rachel
I keep glancing at Nikolai like he might vanish.
We’re in his car, gliding through the city streets like it’s just another Thursday. Like I’m not sitting next to a Bratva prince with blood on his hands and fire in his eyes. Like this is a normal day and I’m just a girl headed home from a week away.
Except this isn’t normal. And this man beside me isn’t some boyfriend I picked up on a dating app.
“You’re quiet,” he says.
“I’m waiting for you to change your mind.” To not want me as much as his body says he does.
He cuts me a look, something warm and dangerous flickering behind his gaze. “I told you, you’re mine. If you want to leave, I’ll let you. But I don’t think you want to.” Just saying the words has him gripping the steering wheel too tight, his knuckles losing all their colour.
