Page 9 of Forced & Knocked-Up Bratva Bride
She faced me, her eyes narrowing and brows furrowing to form deep creases between them. “Where am I?” she demanded, her voice cold and solemn.
The glint of defiance in her eyes and the little courage that laced her tone were not what I’d expected. Where the fuck was the fear flickering in her gaze just moments ago?
She glared at me, her scowl deepening, unafraid of the man sitting across from her. “Did you…?” Her head tilted to the side, eyes squinting. “Did you abduct me?” She looked around the room, a hint of anxiety flashing across her face. “You kidnapped me!” she declared, her tone sharp and defiant.
My lips twitched into a knowing smile, and I leaned forward, the leather couch crunching beneath me. “What if I did?” I questioned, holding her gaze.
She frowned at me. “Kidnapping is punishable by law, and there are severe consequences for that.”
My eyebrows shot up in amusement, my tone sarcastic. “Ah, right. I almost forgot who you are—Alessia Romano, Dante’s youngest daughter, soon-to-be family lawyer.”
She glared at me in silence, her chest rising and falling with slow breaths.
“Do you know who I am, little Romano?” I asked, my voice low and even.
“Other than the fact that you're my kidnapper? Please.” She scoffed, rolling her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “You’re Nik Tarasov.”
Her confidence, spunk, and courage sparked a dark kind of interest in me. She didn’t seem afraid of me, nor did she cowerthe way most people would when in my presence. The little brat must still believe that her last name offered the same protection as it did outside these walls.
“I don’t know what’s going on here,” she began, staring into my eyes, her face contorted into a frown. “But I want no part of it. Now, take me home,” she instructed me like I was one of those bodyguards her father hired to keep her safe.
I hesitated for a moment before rising to my feet, my footsteps slow and deliberate as I approached the bed. I watched her swallow hard, her throat wobbling; then, her head jerked upward to face me. A glimpse of fear flickered in her eyes, and her chest heaved slowly.
Towering over her, I bent at my waist, leaning in to whisper in her face. “Listen to me, and listen carefully,” I began, my voice low and malicious. Each word was spoken with a deliberate slowness, cold enough to send shivers down her spine. “This isn’t some game, and in here, you’re not in control.Iam. You don’t call the shots.Ido.”
A malevolent glare came from her, her eyes filled with loathing.
I raised her chin, my eyes boring into hers. “Let’s get something clear.” I paused, watching the way she clenched her jaw in resistance. “You’re not going anywhere. You’remyprisoner, and you belong to me now. I own you.” I let go of her chin, taking a step back.
Her brows knitted together in annoyance, and she shot me a venomous look. “I’m not a piece of property,” she said quietly, her voice laced with disdain. “And you don’t own me.”
The fire in her eyes was admirable, as was her bravery. But time would tell just how long she could keep up with the act.
I adjusted my tie and curled my lips into a sly grin before walking away.
I could still feel her gaze lingering as I headed toward the door, my movements fluid and purposeful.
A hint of frustration laced her tone as she yelled, “You don’t own me!” moments before I stepped out and shut the door behind me.
She would break eventually.
It was just a matter of time.
Chapter 7 – Alessia
I felt like the walls of this room were closing in on me, snuffing the very life out of me. This had to be a dream—a really bad one that I would soon wake up from. Sadly, a lot of hours had already gone by, and I was still trapped in this nightmare, with no hope of ever waking up.
This was real—as real as the faint sunlight streaming in through the reinforced windows designed to keep me prisoner. I’d yet to come to terms with the fact that I’d actually been abducted, kidnapped by the enemy.
As I paced back and forth through this unfamiliar space, a million and one thoughts overlapped in my head, keeping my mind occupied. A mix of emotions kept me on high alert: fear, anxiety, anger, and guilt. If I had just stayed home last night, none of this would have happened.
I left the house—my father’s mansion, my safe haven—for what? A night that was supposed to be fun? Now, look where that got me: in the belly of the beast. Last night, I tried to act all tough, like I was unaffected by his intimidating glare—his death stare. Despite the defiant exterior, deep down, he scared the living daylights out of me, to the point where I almost couldn’t breathe.
My fingers combed through my hair, my heart pounding like a drum in my heaving chest. I was behind enemy lines, trapped with the devil himself, and there was no means of escape. What in heaven’s name did I get myself into?
Dad must be worried sick about me, considering how much time had passed since the nightclub. This was so unlike me, and that was the main reason why he’d know something wasn’t right. Before leaving the party, I’d texted Ayla, telling her that something had come up and that I had to leave on time.Hopefully, she’d put two and two together and join forces with my dad.
But how would they link my disappearance to Nik Tarasov? Even if they would eventually trace my abduction to him, wouldn’t that be too late already?
