Page 49 of Bratva Bastard

He shook his head, a cruel and mocking expression. “Did you honestly think I’d tell you? Like I’d give out the location, to a woman of your standards, no less.” He scoffed in disgust, staring at the road, his eyebrows creased in a resentment toward me that I didn’t understand.

A woman of my status? What the hell was that supposed to mean? What status did I hold? “As if you’re much better. Kidnapping a woman for who knows what sick games you have planned.”

He huffed out a laugh. “Apregnantwoman,” he corrected, unphased by my accusations. My jaw dropped hearing that he knew of my condition. “That’s right, I know. You see, Mr. Sorokin doesn’t want a harlot like you running around, claiming his throne.”

I scoffed, both at the word harlot, and the mention of histhrone.As if he were a goddamn king.

Andrei continued speaking, ignoring my scoffs and groans. “Can you imagine, Maxim having a child from a woman who isn’t his wife? Oh, that’s right! You haven’t heard the happy news. Your lover is to be married to Ana Sorokin in a matter of weeks. So, you can understand why Mr. Sorokin wants to abort that abomination in your belly.”

What?

Maxim…engaged?

I couldn’t believe the words, no matter how many times they replayed in my head. How could he be engaged, and when the hell did it happen? Was he engaged before he came to Brazil, or after he went back?

The thought of him with another woman absolutely obliterated my heart, leaving nothing but a throbbing ache that ran through my body.He promised he’d come back to me, but he left me. For another woman.

A lump in my throat kept me from denying Andrei’s words, even though I knew deep down that they were true. That was why Maxim hadn’t answered my calls, and why he avoided me every day since he’d left.

Finally, I took a chance on something for myself, and look at where it got me. Pregnant. Kidnapped. Abandoned. Completely and utterly screwed.

If I wanted to make it out of this alive and with my baby, I’d have to depend on myself. Too bad the only bodyguard I had was working for the enemy.

It didn’t take long for Andrei to pull onto a dirt road, driving down the winding, curvy path until a building emerged deep within the woods. Andrei parked the car, getting out and coming around to the back.

He opened the door and whipped out a switchblade. Shit! What was he planning on doing to me? I backed up the best I could, but I was strapped in too tight to move far.

“Relax,” he snapped, irritated by my reaction.You try having someone pull out a knife after being kidnapped, you fucking asshole.He sliced off the zipties, holding the knife to my throat after.

The cold blade sent a shiver down my spine as goosebumps pricked my skin.

“You tryanythingand I’ll slice your fucking throat from ear to ear,” he said, dragging the knife from one side to the other. He leaned forward, until his face was only inches from mine, his predatory glare holding my gaze. In a low, ominous growl, he said, “And I’ll do it with a smile on my face.”

My body was frozen, my voice diminished from fear. I stared at him—the way his smile held such contempt, his eyes filled with a lust for power and death. His body looming over me in the backseat, the seat belt buckle digging into my back.

Terror had taken over, and all I could think about was how desperately I hoped he wouldn’t try to assault me in that backseat. With no idea where I was, and my body still weak, I’d have a slim chance of surviving any type of attack. All I could do was lay down obediently, and wait for him to finish his threats. But my silence had pissed him off even more.

“Are we fucking clear?” he barked out, causing me to jump. I nodded my head and his grin grew wider as he soaked in my fear like it was the very sustenance he needed to breathe. He withdrew the knife, keeping it out but no longer placed against my throat. “Good. Now get out of the car and inside the fucking building. It’s time to kill that little bitch inside of you.”

I rubbed my wrists where the ties had left a dent in my skin, stinging when the air from outside touched my hands. I hadn’t even realized my ankles were tied. My legs had been numb until then, but when he sliced the ties, I stretched my limbs that cried out in pain.

“I said get out!” he shouted, seething with rage.

I slid to the edge of the seat, stepping down into the dirt, but my legs were weak and wouldn’t support my weight. Grabbing onto the door, I forced myself to stand, my legs trembling beneath me. Unable to walk, I stood there, shaking against the door.

“Either you walk or I drag you by your hair,” Andrei snapped, his arms crossed as he towered over me.

One, two, three steps and I lost my balance, grabbing his arm on instinct. He shook me off, disgusted, and I hit the ground. A rock sliced my knee on the impact, but I swiped the blood away and used the door to pull myself up to my feet again—not wanting to be dragged out by my hair.

After a few more attempts, I’d finally gotten enough feeling in my legs to walk somewhat normally. Andrei walked me down several halls, into what looked like an ordinary hospital room.

Was this place a clinic?

22

Maxim

“Oh, wouldn’t this be perfect for the wedding, Daddy!” Ana squealed, holding her phone across the table for her father to see.

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