Page 2 of Forced Bratva Hostage (Dubrov Bratva #15)

I climb into the back of the Mercedes, and a bodyguard slams the door shut behind me.

It makes me jump, and I huff loudly to show my agitation. Not that any of them seem to notice. They all work for my brother, and this side mission, looking after his little sister, is just an annoyance to them.

I had fun shopping, though. I never get out of that house. It’s like a prison cell, and when I do manage to sneak out for a few hours, it’s such a relief.

Honestly, I’m surprised I don’t need to be committed to a psych ward at this point, just from boredom and the seventeen thousand rules my brother has for me to follow.

It was a good day.

That’s what I should focus on.

I found the perfect dress to wear to the club tonight.

Bella is meeting me down the road from the estate. As long as I can slip past the guards and get out of there unseen, I’m set to have a freaking amazing night. I can’t even remember the last time I went dancing.

Boris would kill me if he found out, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. A little side adventure to keep me feeling alive. If I don’t take these stupid risks a few times a year, I will go insane.

Not that Boris would notice. He doesn’t speak to me, much less know anything about my life.

As long as I’m tucked away in my room, safe and quiet, he’s satisfied.

I sit back and stare out the window as we drive through the city. I love watching people coming and going, living their lives with no one smothering them with impossible requests.

I often think about how Boris would prefer if I didn’t exist. I’m nothing but a burden to him, left in his care by our father after he passed away a long time ago.

Sighing, I turn my face away from the window and the people.

It’s okay, Tia. Tonight is going to be fun, I promise myself.

If I had my way, I ’ d be traveling the world.

I wouldn’t stay anywhere for longer than three months, and I’d hop from place to place until I’d tasted every food, seen every beach, got lost in a jungle, shopped in Paris, taken photos off the top of the highest buildings and had tequila in Mexico. I want to see and do all of it.

I wouldn’t be stuck in my room day after day with no company other than the servants who have been hired to make sure I’ve been fed, that my bath is run, that I have clean clothes, that I’m somewhat entertained—

One day, I’ll see the world.

The car drives through the heavily guarded gates that lead to the estate. Radios crackle inside the car and one of the guards lifts it off his belt.

“Is she here?”

“Yes, sir, we just arrived.”

I clench my jaw. Why would Van be asking if I’m back?

Ugh. He’s the worst person on the planet.

As soon as this car stops, I’m running straight up to my room to avoid bumping into him. Gathering my shopping bags into my hands, I get ready to hop out.

My heart is already tight in my chest.

This place isn’t a home.

I have no idea what it feels like to live in a home, but I know for sure that this is not it. It’s not warm or welcoming or inviting.

It’s just the estate where I live. That’s all.

My heart sinks when Van is waiting at the end of the long driveway, and he tugs the door open before the car comes to a stop.

He reaches inside, grabs my arm, and literally drags me out.

I lose my balance and fall to my knees, and he angrily lifts me to my feet.

“Where the fuck were you, Tatiana?” he snarls, his breath hot in my face.

“I informed the head guard I was going to the mall, and I took guards with me,” I stammer, trying to let him know that I followed all of the rules required of me.

“But you fucking went shopping. Did you get permission to spend money? How much did you spend?” he shakes me, and my neck tweaks in pain.

I want to kick him and push him away, but I know better. Van loves violence. The moment I start fighting back, he gets more aggressive, and it only gets worse for me.

He’s towering over me, and his eyes are dark with anger as he glares down at me.

“I didn’t spend a lot, but my brother has more than enough, so what difference does it make?” I mutter quietly.

The backhand he deals is sharp and stings across my cheek. His ring causes the most pain.

A loud cry bursts from my lips and he slaps me again.

“Shut up. No one wants to hear you, you pathetic little brat,” he snarls.

Tears sting my eyes as I lift my hand to touch my face. My skin is hot and burning.

“Don’t you fucking ever spend money without permission again. Do you think he works for you? Do you think it’s your money?”

Anger floods every cell in my body as I fight to bite my words back. If I were allowed to work, I’d make my own fucking money.

I stare at Van with hatred spilling from my eyes. I hate it when he sees me cry. The pleasure in his expression makes me sick to my stomach.

Van reaches out and wraps his hand around my jaw, pulling my face close to his.

“Pretty little princess needs to learn a lesson or two,” he says, his words dripping with suggestion.

“I only need one night alone with you to teach you how to respect the men in your life. Maybe tonight, I’ll pay you a visit.

” His words churn bile inside me. I squeeze my eyes shut to block out the sight of him.

That thick scar that runs over his cheek, the dark stubble over his jaw, the thick crop of hair, always slicked back with oil—

He lets me go, and I stagger backwards.

Without giving him another chance to taunt me, I make a run for the mansion, escaping him and his power trip.

Upstairs, I throw my shopping bag onto the bed and slam my door shut before pulling my phone out of my pocket to dial my brother.

“Boris, it’s me,” I say, fighting tears again.

“What do you want?” he snaps.

“Van hit me. He slapped me on the face and—"

“Honestly, Tatiana, you probably deserved it, and I’m tired of you constantly running to me to complain about him.

He’s doing his job. He’s doing exactly what I asked him to do—to make sure you stay in line and out of trouble.

If you have a problem with him, you have a problem with me, and I don’t fucking care if you have a problem with me.

And technically, you shouldn’t have anything towards me but gratitude.

For the luxurious fucking life I provide for you. ”

My entire body is shaking as I listen to my brother’s cruel response.

“But he hit me again —and he threatened to come into my room. The last time you said I should tell you if—"

“I changed my mind. If he needs to dish out some punishment, because if that’s the only way you are going to learn, then he needs to do what he needs to do. Now, was there anything else you wanted to waste my time with? Because I have better things to do than listen to you fucking whine.”

I swallow hard and take a sharp breath. “No,” I stammer, my heart aching.

Boris doesn’t reply.

The line goes dead.

And I’m left alone in my room, crying.

I don’t know why I thought this time would be any different from the other times I’ve asked my brother to stop Van from being so physical with me.

A luxurious life?

Sure.

Locked in a gilded cage with a brother who has no heart, who treats me with nothing but coldness and hate. The only thing he cares about in this entire world is his business, and the power that comes with it.

I flop down onto my bed and bury my face in the pillow, screaming in frustration.

Fuck Van and fuck my asshole brother for always siding with that monster.

When I roll over and stare up at the ceiling, I’m not crying anymore, and I’m even more determined to sneak out tonight.

The number of times I’ve fantasized about sneaking out and never coming back—I’ve lost count.

It’s not like I have anywhere to go. And Boris makes sure I don’t have easy access to money, either. I can get a few things from the mall—well, apparently, I can’t even do that anymore—but that’s it. The type of money I would need to try and run away—it’s not within my reach.

I know because I’ve thought about it.

I live in this cage of restrictive, suffocating rules, but that doesn’t stop me from trying to have a full, exciting life.

I’ve read so many things about different places around the world. I’ve got a scrapbook filled with notes about the places I want to see.

I have big plans for my life.

And in the meantime, I have to settle for little adventures, like sneaking out and going clubbing with my best friend.

Reaching out, I pick up my phone and open the app to message Bella.

Me: I’m definitely coming. I hate this place, and I need a break. Pick me up at one, everyone should be asleep by then, and it will be easier to get out.

Bella: Yes, girl. I’ll be on that corner, same as last time. Don’t be late because I get freaked out.

Well, that will at least be something to look forward to.

And I already know what I’m wearing. I scoot over to the edge of the bed and grab the bag that fell off onto the floor.

Pulling it open, I lift out the dress I bought at the mall today.

It’s iridescent black. When I move the fabric, it looks like a midnight rainbow, dark and colorful with glittering details. It’s freaking gorgeous.

Standing in front of the mirror, I hold it up to my body.

It’s quite short and tight, but who cares.

The long sleeves make it look elegant, and the low neckline will show off my cleavage nicely.

I grin at my reflection in the mirror, but there is sadness in my eyes.

Sadness and anger over what happened earlier.

I don’t understand why Boris allows Van to be so dominant toward me.

I should be respected, not bullied. My name alone should give me status that puts me above Van, especially in my brother’s eyes. I am his family.

Half -family.

I guess the half takes away more than I understand.

Whatever.

As soon as I get the chance and I can get a job to get away from this place, I’m going to do it. I won’t stay here forever. I’d rather die a slow, painful death than live in this hellhole much longer.

***

At midnight, I crack my bedroom door open just a little and listen.

Tilting my head to the side, I hold my breath and wait. I can’t hear voices or movement and the main light at the bottom of the stairs is off. That usually means Boris has gone to bed.

Quietly and carefully, I close my door again and do a little wiggle, happy that I can start getting ready and escape this place.

I pop my AirPods in and turn the music up while I curl my hair and do my makeup.

There is a faint blue mark across my cheekbone from Van’s ring.

With an angry scowl, I blot concealer over it and refuse to let it upset me any more than it already has.

There’s nothing I can do about it now. And I want to enjoy tonight.

Every now and then, I take one of the AirPods out and listen for a few seconds, just making sure everything is still okay, but the house is quiet.

It’s half past twelve when I slip the gorgeous dress onto my body and wiggle my hips to straighten it. In the mirror, I turn to the left and the right, admiring how amazing it looks on me.

The low light accentuates the dark, iridescent glimmer. In the club, it’s going to look ten times more amazing when the colorful lights catch against it.

Grabbing my clutch and my heels, which I will only put on when I’m far away from the estate, I glance around my room to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.

A low tap—just one, brief sound—at my window makes me turn towards it and squint into the darkness outside. Tonight is usually dark. It’s strange. It’s like someone stole the moon from the sky or painted a thick, dark cloud right over it.

For a second, I think I see movement, but not outside; it looks like— what the fuck?

A dark figure springs towards me, hidden in the shadows of my thick bedroom curtains. He’s tall, solid and dressed head to toe in black. And he’s so fast that I barely open my mouth to scream before he’s clamped his hand over it, blocking out any sound.

I kick at his shins and swing my hands, using my heels like a weapon, aiming for his head. He swipes me off my feet, and I land hard onto the floor, face first against the soft carpet with the air knocked entirely out of my lungs.

I hear tape as he pulls a strip of it using his free hand and his teeth.

Then it’s over my mouth, and around my wrists and around my ankles. He slides a blindfold over my eyes.

Then the beast of a man lifts me off the floor as though I weigh nothing. He flings me over his shoulder.

My heart is racing. I hear him opening my window. He can’t be trying to get out this way—not with me in his arms. He’s going to kill us both. I don’t dare move. Not now. I don’t want to die like this.

But somehow, he doesn’t kill us. There is a soft thud when his feet hit the grass beneath my window.

Then he’s jogging, and his shoulder is digging into my ribs.

Pain shoots through me with each movement and I try to shift.

I start fighting again. I twist and turn and thrash my body around like a fish out of water.

He grabs my legs and pins them to his chest. His strength is shocking—terrifying, actually.

But one of the guards has to hear me. They have to see something.

How the hell can someone walk right into the estate and walk right out again with a whole entire human being over their shoulder and not be seen?

It’s impossible.

I start screaming, muffled and soundless against the gag.

He growls at me to stay still and shut up.

I hear a car door opening.

He throws me inside.

What the fuck. We’re already out of the estate. How is this possible?

I start kicking at anything near me. The back of the seat, the car door—anything and everything.

The engine starts and the car pulls out onto the road.