Page 10

Ivan

I sit back on the leather couch in my living room, the warmth from the fire crackling in the fireplace seeping into the room. The shower I took earlier washed away the grime of the day, leaving me refreshed, but the thoughts in my mind are anything but clean. I’ve changed into something more comfortable—dark jeans and a simple black T-shirt—but the casual clothes do little to soften the sharp edge of my thoughts.

I’m waiting for Sarah—my little prisoner, as I’ve come to think of her. She should be arriving any minute now, escorted by one of the house staff. The same woman who’s been keeping an eye on her since I brought her here. I’m curious to see how Sarah’s holding up after everything—curious to see if the fight in her has dulled or if it’s sharpened into something more dangerous.

I find my thoughts drifting back to the moment she took off her shirt in that cold, dim cell. The image of her standing there, defiant despite the fear in her eyes, the curve of her body barely concealed by the thin fabric of her bra—it’s a sight that’s been hard to shake. There’s no denying that she’s sexy, with a body that could easily distract even the most disciplined of men.

Iremind myself to stay focused. Sarah isn’t just some woman; she’s a weapon, and one that’s been wielded by my enemy for years.

She’s not to be underestimated. That much is clear. She’s smart, resourceful, and she’s been neck-deep in the dirty work of the Preston family. Kace trusted her with some of the most sensitive tasks, including the one that hit us hardest—stealing Bratva’s money. It was her skills, her cunning, that made it possible. The woman is no angel. If anything, she’s trouble wrapped in a deceptively appealing package.

I can’t afford to let my guard down around her. She might be in my house, under my control, but that doesn’t mean she’s harmless. Far from it. Sarah’s proven that she’s capable of doing whatever it takes to survive, and that makes her dangerous. I need to keep that at the forefront of my mind, no matter how tempting it is to get distracted by her looks.

The door to the living room opens, and I straighten, pushing those thoughts aside as I focus on the present. The woman steps in first, giving me a brief nod, then steps back to reveal Sarah behind her. She’s still wearing the same clothes from before, though they’re slightly rumpled now, a sign of the tension and sleepless nights she’s undoubtedly endured.

As our eyes meet, I see a flicker of something in hers—defiance, fear, maybe a mix of both. She’s trying to keep it together, but I can tell the strain is getting to her. Good. It means she’s human after all, not some untouchable force of nature. It means she can be broken.

“Come in,” I say, my voice calm but commanding. “We have some things to discuss.”

She hesitates for a fraction of a second, then steps forward, her posture tense but controlled. I watch her closely, noting every movement, every shift in her expression. She’s been thrown into the deep end, and now it’s time to see if she’ll sink or swim.

“Sit,” I say, gesturing to the spot on the couch next to me. My tone leaves no room for argument, and I watch as Sarah hesitates for just a moment before complying. She moves cautiously, her eyes never leaving mine as she lowers herself onto the plush leather cushion. The tension in her shoulders is unmistakable, but she’s doing her best to hide it, to appear composed even when I know she’s anything but.

A grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. I like that she’s being obedient, though I can sense the fire still burning beneath the surface. There’s something satisfying about seeing this once-defiant woman, who’s caused me so much trouble, sitting next to me, waiting for whatever comes next.

“So,” I begin, leaning back casually, my eyes never leaving hers, “you’ve been quiet since you got here. No more biting remarks? No insults? I was almost starting to miss the sarcasm.”

She glances at me, her green eyes flashing with something between annoyance and amusement. “Just trying to figure out where this is going,” she replies, her tone dry. “I didn’t realize I was supposed to keep you entertained.”

I chuckle at that, genuinely amused. “You’ve done a decent job so far. It’s not often I find someone with your… spirit.”

Sarah rolls her eyes, but there’s a slight curve to her lips that tells me she’s not entirely immune to the banter. “Glad to be of service,” she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I study her for a moment, enjoying the way she’s trying to maintain some control in this situation. It’s entertaining, watching her navigate the thin line between defiance and submission. I didn’t bring her here just to trade quips. There are more serious matters to discuss.

“Let’s cut to the chase, then,” I say, my tone shifting to something more serious. “Kace Preston. You were loyal to him for years, did his dirty work, risked your life for him. Now, he’s tried to kill you. Are you still planning to stay loyal to him?”

I watch her closely as I ask the question, looking for any sign of hesitation, any flicker of emotion that might give her away. For a moment, her expression is unreadable, but then she laughs—a short, bitter sound that holds none of the warmth it should.

“Loyal to Kace?” she repeats, shaking her head. “I was, but that was before he sent someone to kill me.”

Her words are sharp, but I can see the hurt behind them, the way her voice tightens ever so slightly. It’s clear she’s not just angry—she’s wounded. The betrayal has cut deep, and even though she’s trying to brush it off with sarcasm, the pain is still there, simmering beneath the surface.

I lean in a little closer, my gaze steady on hers. “Good,” I say, my voice low. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

She looks at me, and for a brief moment, I see something vulnerable in her eyes before she quickly masks it with a sardonic smile. “What, you’re happy to hear that I’ve been stabbed in the back?”

“Happy isn’t the right word,” I reply, my grin widening. “It works in my favor. A wounded animal is easier to tame, after all.”

Her smile falters, just for a second, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. She’s hurting, and that hurt can be molded, used to my advantage. Kace’s betrayal has left a void, and if I play my cards right, I can fill that void, redirect her loyalty—or at the very least, her anger.

“I’m not some animal you can just tame,” she snaps, the fire returning to her voice, but there’s an edge of uncertainty now, as if she’s not entirely sure of her own strength.

“Maybe not,” I concede, leaning back and letting her have this small victory. “But you’re smart enough to know where your options are, and right now, they’re limited.”

Sarah’s eyes narrow, and I can see the wheels turning in her head, trying to figure out what angle I’m playing. She’s also realizing the truth—she’s alone in this, with no allies left in Kace’s camp. Whatever future she’s going to carve out for herself, it’s going to have to be on new terms.

“Loyalty to Kace is no longer an option,” I continue, my tone more measured now. “But that doesn’t mean you have to face this world alone. Align yourself with me, and you’ll find things might not be as bleak as they seem.”

She doesn’t answer immediately, but I can see the conflict in her eyes. The defiance, the anger, the hurt—they’re all battling within her, trying to find a foothold in this new reality.

Sarah takes a deep breath, her gaze locked on mine. I can see the resolve forming in her eyes, the calculations running through her mind. She’s not just some scared girl thrown into a world she doesn’t understand—she’s someone who’s learning to navigate it, who’s adapting. Now, she’s about to play her next move.

“I’ll help you get your money back,” she says, her voice steady, though I can hear the undercurrent of tension. “In double if you want. I know that’s what you want from me.”

I can’t help but grin. She’s sharper than I expected, more perceptive. This conversation is taking a turn I didn’t anticipate, and I’m finding myself intrigued. She’s not just bargaining for her life—she’s offering to become an asset, something useful. She’s right. I do want that money back, but the prospect of getting twice as much? That’s an offer I can’t easily dismiss.

“What do you want in return?” I ask, leaning back into the couch, my tone almost casual. “Your freedom?”

I watch her closely, waiting to see how she’ll play this. Most people in her position would jump at the chance to negotiate for their freedom, to get out from under the thumb of someone like me. Sarah’s smarter than that—she knows her situation better than anyone.

She shakes her head, her eyes darkening with the weight of her reality. “If I go out there, Kace will get to me. I can’t take that risk.”

I nod slowly, understanding where this is going, but I let her continue. She’s on the edge of something big, a decision that could change everything for her, and I want to hear it in her own words.

“I want your protection,” she says, the words heavy with the gravity of her situation. “Right now, siding with you is the smart thing to do.”

The admission hangs in the air between us, thick with tension. I can see it in her eyes—she’s not doing this out of loyalty or trust. If anything, she probably hates me just as much as she hates Kace, maybe more. She’s also pragmatic, and she knows that in this world, the Russians protect their assets. And if she becomes an asset to me, that protection extends to her.

I chuckle softly, amused by the irony. She’s offering herself up as a tool for my use, not out of fear, but out of a calculated understanding of her own survival. It’s smart—maybe even brilliant, considering the position she’s in.

“You want my protection,” I repeat, more to myself than to her, savoring the shift in our dynamic. “So, you’ll give me what I want, and in return, you want me to keep you safe from Kace. That’s your offer?”

She nods, and there’s a flicker of something vulnerable in her expression, but she quickly masks it with that same resolve I’ve seen since she first walked in here. “Yes. That’s the deal.”

I let the silence stretch out for a moment, watching her squirm just a little. Not because I’m unsure, but because I want to see how far she’s willing to go, how much she’s willing to give up to ensure her survival.

“This is getting interesting,” I murmur, leaning forward, my elbows resting on my knees as I meet her gaze directly. “You hate me, don’t you?”

She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t look away. “Yes,” she admits, her voice firm. “I hate what you’ve done to me. I’m not stupid. I know how this world works. Hate won’t keep me alive, but being useful to you will.”

I can’t help but grin again, genuinely impressed. “Smart,” I say, almost to myself. “Very smart. You understand the game, and that’s something I can respect.”

She watches me carefully, trying to gauge my reaction, but I can see the tension in her shoulders, the way she’s holding her breath, waiting for my decision. She knows that if I refuse, if I decide she’s not worth the trouble, she’s as good as dead. If I accept….

“You’ve got yourself a deal,” I finally say, my voice smooth and decisive. “You’ll work for me, help me get back what’s mine, and in return, you’ll have my protection.”

The relief in her eyes is palpable, but she’s smart enough not to show too much of it. She’s still wary, still unsure of how far she can trust me. Good. That caution will serve her well.

“Understand this, Sarah,” I continue, my tone hardening slightly. “If you cross me, if you try to double-cross me or play any games, I’ll make sure Kace’s betrayal feels like a mercy in comparison. Do you understand?”

She swallows hard, nodding. “I understand.”

I lean back again, satisfied with the outcome. This arrangement could be more beneficial than I initially thought. Not only do I get a skilled hacker to help me recover what was stolen, but I also get the added satisfaction of turning Kace’s most trusted asset against him. It’s a win-win.

“Good,” I say, the grin returning to my face. “Then let’s get started.”

Sarah exhales slowly, as if releasing a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. The tension in the room eases slightly, but it’s clear that the battle isn’t over for her. She’s made a deal with the devil, and she knows it. In this world, survival trumps everything, even hatred.

As she sits there, processing the new reality of her situation, I can’t help but feel a strange sense of respect for her. She’s been dealt a shitty hand, but she’s playing it with all the skill and determination she can muster. That’s something I can work with—something I can use.

“Welcome to the Bratva, Sarah,” I say, my voice carrying a mix of amusement and finality. “Let’s see how far you’re willing to go.”